Page 87 of The Devil's Pawn

Boom.

Something explodes from behind Carlito’s back.

I gasp as my lungs go numb in fear and my pulse slams harder in my neck. I catch the widening of his eyes before the knife falls from his grip.

He turns, leaving me there as he takes a step away. There’s a fog forcing itself through the hollowness of the open door, prowling among us like something else I should fear.

“Sal? You there?” Carlito asks as his boots crunch over the floor.

Silence.

If my father’s back in the room, he isn’t talking. Maybe he’s finally come to his senses and wants to save me.

More footsteps come stomping in. Someone’s definitely here. I can’t see their faces, but I can hear multiple people marching inside.

I’m afraid to move, unsure if I’ll be greeted by friend or foe. Who would come for me anyway?

But maybe I can run. Naked or not, I’d rather live and try to get help. Where would I even go, though? I don’t know where I am. I could be across the country, for all I know.

Loud scuffling breaks out as multiple men begin shouting and fighting. I don’t recognize any of their voices. The fog circles around me until the cloudiness is all I can see.

How the hell do I get out now?

“Raquel?! Where are you, sweetheart? Tell me you’re here.”

I gasp.

Dante?

Is he really here? Did he look for me?

It can’t be. My mind must be playing a cruel trick.

“It’s Dante. Scream out! Please, baby. I can’t fucking lose you.”

There’s a pause; all the footsteps are now gone except his, crashing wildly like he’s jogging.

This place is huge, and with the haze, it’s impossible for him to see me. I try to speak, but my lips don’t move.

“I’m sorry,” he continues. “For all of it. I don’t know if you can hear me, but I needed to say it anyway. I never thought I’d care about anyone the way I care about you. I promise to make everything up to you, starting now.”

His voice cracks as it edges nearer, like he’s walking toward me.

“Answer me. Tell me you’re still alive.”

He’s even closer now.

My heart clenches. He came for me. He really came. A quiet sob pours out of me until I’m blinded by the tears.

“God damn it!”

I hear the anguish in his tone, the torture stemming from his heart and into mine.

“I haven’t had the chance to tell you how much you mean to me. I can’t lose another person I love. Fuck, you can’t be gone.”

He loves me?

I whimper. The tears come harder now, like chaotic waves of misery.

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