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PROLOGUE
ALLEGRA
Ishouldn’t be here. I should be tucked up in bed with a good book and a glass of wine because that is my happy place. Not a dark, depressing alley on the dusty streets of New York, clutching a brown envelope to me as if it’s a bullet-proof vest. It needs to be. Hell, it needs to resemble an armored vehicle, because my life is distinctly under threat right now.
The wind whips against my ear, whispering in gleeful tones that my soul belongs to the devil now. I have sunk lower than the homeless man who slurps from the bottle wrapped in brown paper, cowering by the dumpster, watching me with blurred vision.
For a second I stare at him in the hope he’s an undercover cop and will spring to my rescue. To end this misery once and for all and lock up the evil that waits for my downfall.
Our eyes connect and the weariness in his matches my own, telling me I’m fucked, and we both know it.
He shifts and drags his slight body to a standing position and gathers his possessions around him as if I’m the threat in this alley. I only wish I were because the person undoubtedly coming for me is the biggest threat to my life, my brother’s life and probably anybody else’s life that has the misfortune to cross his path.
I watch the homeless man shuffle away, like a bird fleeing from an approaching predator. A gazelle taking flight from a wild cat reminding me I’m a fool and I probably always will be.
My breath is racing, and my mouth is dry, causing me to lick my lips with a show of nerves I hate right now. I shouldn’t give a shit. I shouldn’t be terrified, but my clammy hands and shaking knees tells me otherwise. I am up shit creek without a paddle and all because of family.
The tears almost blind me as I think of the reason I’m here at all. My brother Rafferty. The one man I love with my entire heart and would kill to protect. He is in trouble, and I will never forget the stricken look in his eye when he confessed just how much. It was unbearable, and I foolishly told him I would sort it. Not to worry and to leave it with me.
Now I’m regretting my foolish bravery because I am so out of my depth I’m drowning. That would almost be welcome because I may not make it out of this alley alive anyway, and at least it would be a peaceful ending of sorts.
Cursing the fact I’m a strong swimmer in every way, I move further into the alley and glance around me with fear. Is he here already? Lurking in the shadows, watching my stupidity with an evil smile on his face. Preparing to ruin my life along with my brother’s just for kicks.
I jump at a sound further inside and a cat races past me after a rat causing me to jump and shriek, my heart thumping as they pass, not interested in the foolish woman who has stepped out of her safe secure world for a walk on the dark side.
I turn back to the alley and stare into the abyss and only the light on the end of a cigarette alerts me that I’m not alone.
“Um, hello.” I call out sounding like a complete fool and I timidly venture a little further, coughing nervously as I stand my ground.
“This is as far as I’m going.” I shout bravely, although to anyone listening, I sound anything but brave.
A shadow steps out from the gloom and my chest tightens as I struggle to breathe. The sound of tires screeching to a stop behind me causes me to turn and I note the huge black car blocking my exit, protected by a huge shape dressed in black attitude.
The person advances and my knees tremble as I face my ruin and as he steps forward, my knees almost give way, so I grasp the envelope tighter and say as steadily as I can.
“I have what you asked for. Every dollar.”
He steps closer and I make out a figure dressed in black. His attitude is set to couldn’t give a fuck and his gravelly voice growls, “Ten thousand dollars.”
“Yes.” I hate that my voice is the barest whisper and laced with nerves and he reaches out his hand, causing me to step back a little.
“I want your guarantee this is the end of this.”
He moves closer and I recoil at the huge scar dragging down his cheek as it promises this man walks on the wild side and any demands I make are worth nothing.
His face is cruel, rough, and repelling and I involuntarily step back as his arm reaches out and his hand closes around my wrist.
“You are in no position to make demands.” He hisses, grasping me roughly and shoving me hard against the alley wall.
It winds me slightly and then I yell as he tears the envelope from my shaking fingers and growls, “You think this is the end?” He leans closer and hisses, “It’s just the beginning, stupid girl. Your brother owes me and you’re the one paying.”
“But…” The tears burn and reveal my weakness as he snarls, “Your fucking brother messed with the wrong guys. His debt will only be repaid in death. His.”
He leans closer and presses his lips to mine and whispers against them, “Ten thousand dollars is nothing to what I will get for you.”
His hand reaches for my jeans, and I attempt to scream as he cruelly undoes them, whispering, “First I fuck you against this alley wall. Then I allow my men their turn.”
His small laugh curdles my blood as he inches the fabric away from my body.
