I realise as soon as I’ve called her, I’ve made a huge mistake.
“What is it?” she says. I feel her behind me.
It all happens in a split second. Terry’s eyes move from me to behind me where Katy is standing. I step forward, yelling no as I hear the pop of the gun firing.
No pain.
It doesn’t hit me, and I swivel to see my friend, my confidante, my financial advisor, the person who has always had my back, the person who, if it wasn’t for her, I’d have been on the streets and likely given up a long time ago.
I watch my best friend’s eyes widen in confusion, horror and fear as she looks down at herself, at the blood that is pooling from the gunshot wound in the top of her chest. She opens her mouth to say something, but nothing comes. Her face contorts in pain as she falls backwards onto the living room floor.
“No, no, no.” Tears jump to my eyes as I crawl to her, her eyes meet mine, wide and glassy. Tears track into her hairline, her blood seeping into the light carpet.
It will stain, I think stupidly.
I look at the chest wound, and naturally press my hands to it.
She goes to speak again but frowns, wheezing. Her eyes look past me. I turn around and see the butt of the gun coming towards me.
Pain explodes through my head.
And then darkness.
52
Luca
I pry my eyesopen and take in the bright light of the dining room, the spotlights on, along with the chandelier that has pride of place over the large table.
I blink away the brightness and turn to my right where I can see into the hallway, my eyes fall on Layla who is screaming at her friend. Katy falls, and I watch in slow motion as my sunshine launches herself into the living room, to her friend, out of my sight.
Layla, she needs me.
I push myself up, groaning, as my stomach roars in pain.
A man walks towards the living room, a man I recognise but can’t place. Whoever he is, he shouldn’t fucking be here.
Where are my people?
I stagger towards the doorway as the stranger reappears with Layla draped over his shoulder.
I fall into the doorframe, gripping it for support as the room tilts.
His eyes meet mine and he salutes.
“I’ll be seeing you, Knight.” His voice is deep and rich, just like John’s and he walks confidently out of my penthouse apartment, with the woman I love unconscious over his shoulder.
I let go of the frame leaving bloody fingerprints behind and stagger forward. But he’s too fast, or I’m too slow.
I zig zag through the hallway like a drunken man, falling forward into the large glass table, grappling to hold onto something. I grip the huge vase and lose my footing as it skids across the top. Falling from my reach, the vase of flowers crashes on the floor, followed by me.
I roll onto my side, my eyes landing on the fallen body of Katy as darkness pulls me back.
53
Luca
“Luca, can you hearme?”