38-Sadie

My phone rang while I picked up Sophia's toys in the living room and tossed them into her unicorn toy bin.

I smile, remembering our last date night when a picture of me and Donnie flashes on the screen. In the photo, Donnie and I are lying on our backs, bundled up in our hoodies and blankets so only our eyes can be seen.

"Miss me already, " I answer.

Donnie's deep chuckle vibrates through the speaker, causing pleasant goosebumps to rise on my arms. It was one of my favorite sounds as a kid. His laugh always made me smile, even when I didn't feel like it.

"I always miss you." There's a warmth to his tone. A few seconds later, he sighs. "I just really wanted to hear your voice."

"Is everything ok?"

He tells me about his fight with his parents, which ended with him saying hurtful things to his mom before he stormed out of the room. Now, after some time to cool down, he's feeling the pain of the one person who only ever wanted what was best for him.

He doesn't expect my response when he mentions his plan to ask me to move in with him.

"Donnie, I can't move to Illinois. I have my life here," I say quietly.

"How long have they been gone?" I hear shuffling and keys jingling over the line.

Paloma picked up Mom and Abuela at the store since Mom can't drive yet.

"They left five minutes ago."

"So, they'll be gone for at least an hour and a half?" The sound of the door closing tells me he is already on the move.

"Donnie, what are you doing?"

I hear his engine turning over. "I'm on my way to you. We're not having this conversation over the phone." The seriousness in his tone doesn't leave any room for argument.

"Ok, be careful," I tell him.

"See you soon, baby."

And the line goes dead.

The conversation is not going to be a pleasant one. Donnie doesn't like the word "no" when it comes to our future together. Realistically, he needs to see that our lives are not a fairytale.

It's real.

It's passionate.

It's dynamic.

Some wounds still need healing.

The last thing he needs is to worry about supporting his pregnant girlfriend and attending school full-time. I won't give him a reason to resent me or our baby. I love him with all my heart and have only wanted to see him fulfill his dreams ever since he was a little boy. I will do everything I can to protect his future.

Tossing my phone on the counter, I walk down the hall to my bedroom and freshen up by putting my thick curls in a messy bun. I change into my favorite comfy leggings and a lilac off-the-shoulder cropped sweater.

I step out of my room and peek through Sophia's cracked-open door to see she's still asleep. Quietly shutting the door, I return to the kitchen and check my phone, realizing I missed a call from Javi while I was on the phone with Donnie.

I am about to dial him back when I sense someone behind me. I steady my breathing and try to calm the panic tumbling inside me.

The back door opens, and it can't be Mom and Abuela because I didn't hear Paloma's car.

My heart pounds in my ears, and I try to scream when a man built like a fighter on steroids in a black ski mask quietly shuts the door behind him and pulls something out of his waistband.

A gun.

He raises the gun at me, and the sudden shock causes my muscles to tense. I want to run and grab my daughter, but my feet won't move.

Oh, God. Sophia. Please, baby, don't make a sound. Don't cry. Just stay asleep until Mommy says it's safe.

A warm breath brushes my skin as the hair rises on my neck, and my mouth runs dry. I try not to breathe or make a sound, but it is impossible.

"No amount of guard dogs will keep you safe from me." His voice is deep and full of venom. I can't decipher who the voice belongs to, but whoever it is, I must've pissed him off because he's breathing heavily, like he's ready to take me out without giving me a reason.

My body tenses up when I felt heat against my back.

I hold my breath.

I feel nothing but blind terror.

He leans closer until his body is pressed against mine. "You've been causing me a lot of trouble," he hisses. "Your brother made it easier to kill him."

My heart broke all over again at his admission.

I killed your brother.

The monster who took my brother's life is in my kitchen, ready to take mine without remorse.

I shut my eyes and rewind through years of memories of Jo and me. On a hot summer day, we ran through the water that spilled out of the fire hydrant near our home.

The days we spent riding our bikes wishing we could keep going and end up in a land far away from the horror of our lives.

The days he held me when I cried.

The day he bandaged my knee the first time I fell off my bike.

The first time he taught me how to drive.

The last time he told me he loved me.

A sob is ready to erupt from my throat, but I hold it in, fearing the one action will end my life and possibly my daughter's. When I open my eyes, the room seems dark, shadows dancing along the walls. Time stands still, but my heart is beating frantically like a drum.

"Turn around," he demands.

A bolt of panic hits me. I am scared to turn around and meet my fate.

He slams his fist on the table so hard the sugar bowl jumbles. "Turn around!"

My body jolts when he grabs my arm and spins me around until I am face to face with…No.

Vince Romano—the older brother.

When I don't respond, he grabs my chin with his hands and pulls me closer. I smell the mint and cigarettes on his breath. "You've given me nothing but problems. Your father stole from me, the feds have been on my ass closing in on our operations trying to keep you safe, and now they shut down one of my casinos. I should've killed you the moment Hector and your ex fucked everything in the ass."

He spins me around and hauls me back against his chest with his arm around my neck. "Or maybe I should check on your little girl." There's a warning in his voice; fear creeps up my spine. I'm unable to stop the tears that pour from my eyes.

I wrap my fingers around his arm, but his grip tightens, cutting off my air supply. "Better yet, I'll have fun with you first and then kill your daughter." His fingers twist in my hair, wrenching my head to the side.

He licks my cheek and bites my neck, causing me to cry out in pain.

"What do you say, Rico? Should we have some fun with her?"

Rico, I assume, is the other man in the room. He takes his mask off and reveals his face to me. A thick scar runs from the top of his forehead to the side of his mouth.

Rico licks his bottom lip, and the corner of his mouth curves into a wicked smile that makes me want to vomit. "Fuck yeah." His gaze lands on the skin exposed from my sweater rising.

A minute later, I hear the switch of a blade. Vince removes his arm from my neck and wraps his hand around it. He drags the tip of the blade down my cheek and down to my neck and nips it.

I flinch.

He licks the sting and groans. "Mm. Your blood tastes so sweet. I wonder if your pussy is sweeter?"

A wave of acid wells up from my belly.

Please, God. Please, this cannot be happening.

A sudden stab of panic sets in when he moves the blade to my baby bump. My chest becomes tight, making it difficult to breathe.

"What do we have here?" Vince moves around me, still gripping my neck, and looks at my stomach. He laughs and brings his eyes to my face.

"Please," I choke out in a plea.

Vince's eyes darken, and he gets in my face. "Don't fucking beg, you stupid bitch. I'm going to gut you like a fish for all the trouble you caused," he seethes.

"Should I tell you how your brother begged for his life?"

My thoughts spiral in a whirlwind. His words rip through me with no mercy.

"Do you want to know what his last words were?"

"Please, don't do this."

"What did I say about begging!" he roars in my face.

My heart stills when Sophia's cries echo through the baby monitor.