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My eyes flick open. I stop breathing and listen. Silence pounds in my ears. My back is slick with sweat and my heart races. Something’s up. I’m sure of it. I heard a noise. I wait, listening for more. It could have been nothing, a random creak, a shift in temperature causing the house to adjust, or even just my imagination. But it wasn’t. I feel it. Someone is here. I get up, take my gun from under the pillow and open the door, moving slowly, silently.
The house is dark. I step forward, scanning the blackness. My back is to the wall, my bare feet silent on the tiled floor. My eyes adjust to the darkness; the door to her room is open. I swallow, moving closer, energy pumping through my body; I fight it to remain silent. The metal of the gun is heavy in my hand. How did someone get past security? I don’t breathe as adrenalin floods my body.
Sliding around the corner of the door, into her room, I see her. She’s in bed, on her front, the sheet covering her back, dark hair spilling over her shoulder. He’s standing in front of her, I can just make out the dark shadow. For a split second I think I’m too late, that she’s dead, but then she stirs, turning her head, eyes closed in sleep.
I dive at the man, slamming his arm so he drops his gun. A shot is fired and Dale screams. My arms lock around his neck as I clench and snap it. He doesn’t have time to fight me. His body goes limp. We sink to the floor as I squeeze tighter. I channel all my strength to my arms, not letting go, and I feel his breathing stop.
Dale puts the light on. I look up and see the terror in her eyes. She screams as she stares at the lifeless man slumped in my grip. I look down at his face and recognise Solo, Bana’s guy.
‘Fuck!’ I say.
The door swings open. I finally let go of Solo and snatch up my gun again as Stefano rushes in to the bedroom. He looks in confusion from me to Dale, who is cowering in the corner of her bed.
‘What happened?’
‘You tell me.’ I stand up, my gun fixed on Stefano. ‘How the hell did he get in here?’
I’ve no idea who I can trust right now. Stefano holds up his hands, panic in his eyes.
‘I don’t know. I didn’t see anything.’
‘It’s your fucking job to see.’
He stares back at me blankly. I glance at Dale; her face is pale and her eyes wide.
‘Pack a bag. Now.’
She doesn’t move. Her body pressed to the wall, she looks as though she hasn’t understood my words.
‘Where are you going?’ Stefano asks.
‘I’m getting her away from here. Somewhere safe for tonight until you can get this mess cleared up and I can figure out what’s going on.’
I have to call El Patron, but first I need to get her out of here. There might be more of Bana’s crew nearby, I’d be surprised if Solo came alone. I feel like a sitting duck.
‘Move,’ I hiss at Dale. ‘You’ve got thirty seconds to get what you need.’
She climbs off the bed. I watch her rush about, throwing on clothes and dropping things into her bag. ‘Time’s up. Come with me.’
‘I haven’t finished.’ Her voice is shaky.
‘I don’t care, come on.’
I go to the door. Stefano is still standing in the doorway watching me, like an idiot.
‘You really didn’t see anything? How the hell did he get past you?’
Stefano runs his hand through his hair. He has no idea. This guy is clueless, I know his type. We see a lot of men like him in the gym, they work in security but aren’t even able to think straight.
‘And if you’re in here, Stefano, who’s out front watching the gate?’
‘No one.’ He looks panicked.
‘Call Rafa. Get him to come in and help you get rid of him.’ I nod to Solo. ‘That body needs to be gone before tomorrow morning when Maria gets here, and not a word to her. I don’t want you scaring her until we can get things figured out. Once you’ve taken care of the body, I suggest you scour the camera footage and figure out how this guy managed to get into this house and hold a gun to your boss’s daughter’s head without you noticing a thing.’ I glance behind me. ‘Stay close to me, Dale.’
We go to my room and I tell her to sit on the bed as I dress and then toss my stuff into my bag.
‘Leave a note for Maria, so she doesn’t worry when she gets here. Tell her I’ve taken you somewhere to do something.’
‘Where?’
‘I don’t know ... the library? A theme park? Anywhere. Just make something up.’
She does as I tell her and leaves the note folded on the kitchen counter, and I take her arm and lead her to my car.