Page 4 of Cruel Vows

My heart leaps into my throat as the black car turns into the other end of the alley, sealing off one escape route.

As the man steps behind me, the only other way out is gone.

I’m trapped.

Shifting my weight, I try to keep myself loose and on my toes, ready to move at a moment if I need to.

One of the car doors swings open, and a tall man gets out.

In the darkness of the alley, all that’s visible is his silhouette and the glowing end of the cigarette between his lips.

A flickering light above me casts harsh shadows on the man’s face as he gets closer.

Everything in me is screaming at me to run. Look for a weapon. Do anything other than stand there and wait for whatever is about to happen.

In an instant, the cigarette drops to the ground, and the man is on me.

I slam my fist into his side as he takes me to the ground. “Get off me!”

The man shifts just enough for me to slip from beneath him as we hit the ground. The rough cement cuts against my skin as I roll to the side and spring to my feet.

An ache radiates through my back as I attack first, my foot shooting out to catch the man hard in the jaw.

His head snaps back before he spits out a mouthful of blood. “You stupid bitch. You shouldn’t have done that.”

“Who are you and what do you want with me?” I keep my hands up and in front of me as he gets to his feet.

He rubs a hand over his jaw, but there is already a bruise forming. “Get her.”

The man with the knife lunges around him, gleaming blade shining bright beneath the light.

I spin and kick his hand, sending the knife flying.

It doesn’t matter. Arms wrap around my body like a vise and throw me to the ground.

My head cracks against the cement, a metallic taste filling my mouth. Stars dance across my vision as a heavy weight settles in the middle of my back.

What feels like a knee digs deeper into me, warm breath ghosting over the shell of my ear.

I lick my lip, tasting more blood. “I’m going to kill you.”

“I’d like to see you try.” The man’s voice is deep and rich, but there’s a hint of an accent there.

One of the Rinaldos.

“Ellie Lynde, congratulations. You are the chosen one.” The man chuckles, sweeping the hair off the back of my neck.

I put my hands out to the sides, trying to push up enough to throw him off me, but it’s no use. He has me pinned.

I’m helpless. This is where I’m going to die.

Thrashing, I do everything I can to try and break free. “You stupid bastard. Get off me. I’ll kill you. Nobody will ever find the body.”

“And here I thought you were the gentle one in the family.” The man’s hand weaves into my hair, and he uses it to pull my head back.

The cold edge of a blade presses against my neck. A warm drop of blood rolls down, followed by another.

When people say that your life flashes before your eyes, I think they’re wrong.

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