Page 14 of Cain
Shaken, I dial Emily’s number, but Kryštof is calling. Again. At that moment, I don’t care. All I need is to hear a familiar voice.
“Hey.”
“Where the fuck have you been?”
“Kryštof, listen?—”
“No, you listen, bitch! Who do you think you are, treating me like this? I’ll come there, find you, and kill you and that motherfucker you were fucking with! You, him, and that bitch, your friend!”
“What did you just say?” I snap.
His voice turns even more twisted. “You heard me. I’ll make you regret this.”
My hand shakes as I grip the phone tighter, fury boiling inside me. “You’re fucking insane,” I whisper, though I know he can hear me perfectly. “We’re so over, Kryštof.”
“Don’t youdare hang up on me!”
I do. I hang up on him and instantly block his number. I’ve had enough. Kryštof was always foul mouthed, but since I left Czechia and our fights became more intense, this has become a regular occurrence. There’s no way I’ll let him talk to me like this anymore.
“Why did you leave?” Elijah’s voice jolts me back, making me gasp in fear. Gosh, he is creepier than my boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend.
“Something came up.”
“More important than your career?” He strolls closer to me.
A rush of unease floods me, and I take a few steps back, my heels clicking sharply on the concrete. It’s only then that I realize the bouncers are gone, and the street is nearly deserted. I clutch my phone tighter and lock my eyes on him.
“I just want to go.”
“Walking away from your future, Katerina?” He grabs my wrist.
I try to pull away, but he holds me tightly, stepping closer. “You think I’ll just let you go?” His voice is low and menacing.
Fear seizes me, but I force myself to stay calm. “Let go of me,” I hiss through clenched teeth.
“What about your ambitions?” He grabs my waist and pulls me closer. I turn around, but somehow, he’s stronger, his arms pulling me against him until my back collides with him.
I feel desperate. Helpless. Terrified. But I can’t stop. I have to keep going.
And then, just as I’m about to scream, a loud noise echoes through the air. The sound is deafening, like a gunshot.
Elijah stumbles back, his grip loosening, and I don’t wait another second. I break free and sprint toward the street. I don’t know where I’m running, but I know I can’t stay.
Breathless and shaken, I crash into someone.
“Are you okay?”
“Cain?”
“I am here now.” He strokes my cheek, his dark gaze locking onto mine.
My heart is pounding so strong that it hurts my chest. “You’re here now,” I repeat, my voice shaking.
Suddenly, my ears start buzzing, and my vision blurs. My fingertips go numb, and my knees give way beneath me. His strong arm circles my waist, holding me up.
“Don’t be afraid, Katerina.” His voice is muffled, drowned out by the pounding of my heart.
And then, darkness …
