Page 46 of Pen Pal

I dropped the letter in my mailbox, my nerves buzzing with anticipation. Today was the day. Enzo was supposed to break out of the courthouse today, and since the courthouse was closed now, I knew he had already escaped.

Was he lurking in the shadows, stalking me, or following me even now? Was he watching me or waiting for me at home?

My heels clicked against the pavement as I approached my house. I stopped when my front door came into view; it was open, swinging in the wind, yawning and creaking.

A cold pang of dread speared through my heart. I distinctly remembered locking the door—Ialwayslocked it—and a rush of frigid air gusted to me, making me shiver.

Was it Enzo, or did Mark find me? The harassment charges I filed should’ve warned him away, or maybe they made him angrier. I glanced at my phone, noticing that I didn’t have any missed callsfrom him today. Was it because he planned to ambush me here?

I swallowed hard, hoping he just stopped calling me because I made a harassment report. Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.

I heard muffled sounds and low thuds coming from above me. I went stiff, my pulse hammering in my ears. Someone was here, but I didn’t know who.

I didn’t want to be like those people in horror movies who just called outhello, letting the serial killer know where they were. So, just in case, I approached the kitchen counter, removing a butcher knife from the wooden block there, the weight heavy and sure in my palm. I gripped it so tightly my knuckles turned white.

A low, creaking groan sounded above, the floorboards protesting from shifting weight. I slowly crept toward the steps, trying to stay silent as my heart pounded so loud I was sure everyone could hear. The stairs loomed ahead, the upper level obscured in shadows.

Was it Enzo, waiting for me with that delicious smirk, or Mark, ready to unleash another living nightmare?

I kicked off my heels, wincing at them, clattering on the tiles, before I inched up the stairs. My hand ached from my grip on the heavy blade, but it didn't calm the chaos in my heart. I gulped, forcing my breath to steady as I slinked forward, each step controlled and cautious.

I took the first step, then the next. My bedroom door creaked open ahead of me, and I knew that I wasn't alone.

A shadow broke from the darkness and rushed me, and I screamed, swinging blindly. I felt warm blood trickle on my face as whoever it was gripped me, holding my wrist and a hand over my mouth as he dragged me into my room, slamming the door shut behind me.

“You brought a toy,” Enzo purred against my ear, and I sagged with relief.

Feeling my body relax in his arms, he chuckled and let go of me. He moved toward my nightstand and flicked on the light, and I winced as my eyes adjusted.

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and turned to get a better look. What I saw made the color drain from my face.

A man sat in one of my dining room chairs, bound tightly with chains. He was gagged, dirty, bruised, and bleeding. His brows were furrowed, furyflashing in his eyes as he glared at me as if this was all my fault. Blame in eyes I’d seen aimed at me for years.

Mark.

What was he doing here, in my home, and with Enzo?

“So,” Enzo drawled, wearing a black mask with a skull painted on it, circling the chair. “I heard you refuse to sign the divorce papers.”

Mark said something behind his gag, but it was muffled, and I couldn’t understand him.

“If I was married to her, I wouldn’t want to let her go, either,” Enzo mused, circling behind me, dragging his fingers around my throat, making me shudder, before he turned back to Mark. “But I wouldn’t cheat on her and knock up some other bitch like you did.”

“Fuck you!” Mark shouted through his gag. He said something else, but it was undecipherable.

Enzo pulled the gag from Mark’s mouth, and I realized he wore black gloves. Dread pooled in my stomach, wondering what this dangerous killer was about to do to my ex.

“Show yourself, coward!” Mark spat.

“If I do, I’ll have to kill you,” Enzo replied. “So, do you really want me to remove my mask? Because I’ll be the last fucking thing you’ll ever see.”

Mark bared his teeth but remained silent. I could see that Mark had a black eye, and his lip was split and bleeding.

“Sign the papers,” Enzo growled.

“I’m not giving her shit!” Mark snapped. “She can sign my agreement.”

“You either sign hers, or I’ll make her a widow. Either way, she’s walking out of here a single woman. How is up to you,” Enzo declared.

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