Page 99 of Tattletale

It was a poor judgment call. And it’ll cost my life. Gabriel really is a madman. But he hid it so damn well. I retreat backward until my calves hit the bed frame. I slump down on the mattress as the room continues to spin.

When I look up, Gabriel is standing right up next to the glass, looking down on me. “In case it wasn’t obvious, this is the part where you beg me for your life.”

“Would it do me any good?” I mumble, but Gabriel can hear me clear as day. It’s so quiet down here, I could hear a snake slither.

“Couldn’t hurt. Beg a little. Then, I’ll bring you some water—or Gatorade, if you pull your tits out while you do it.”

How could I be so wrong?He was charming and kind, but that’s not what blinded me. It was the pity. I felt so bad for him that I couldn’t see the manipulation. That’s why he’s so dangerous, because he can be absolutely wonderful.

I’ve been in this situation before. This time, I won’t give in. This time, I won’t beg… I’ll go out like a warrior. “Know what I’ve learned about men like you?” I look at Gabriel, daggers in my eyes.

“Who are men like me?”

I touch my tongue to the roof of my mouth, trying desperately to coax some moisture. I need water…but I’m about to seal my fate. “Men with tiny dicks,” I clarify. “They seem to be obsessed with people begging them. Like a fetish of being wanted. If that’s not insecurity, I don’t know what else is.”

“Wow. That’s quite insulting. No water for you.”

“Fine.” I mentally prepare myself for what’s next. I’m probably still too drugged up to really feel the dehydration migraines, but those are coming. After that, the hallucinations.

“You know, even though you’re being a little cunt, I still got you a gift.” Gabriel pulls his phone out of his pocket, scrolls to a picture, then holds it up to the glass. “Come see,” he says.

It seems impossible for my legs to move again, but I can’t see the screen well from here. I force myself to stand and take a few strides to the glass. My heart drops when I see the picture. It’s a man with dark hair and a trimmed beard. His throat is slit wide open, and he’s lying in a pool of his own blood. To make matters worse, my name is carved into his forehead.

“Luca,” I say. The air leaves my lungs as my heart constricts.

I should feel joy that Luca finally met his bloody end. But as my heart twists in my chest, it surprises me that I feel remorse. Not for Luca, but for his widow, and fatherless daughters. I know the pain of losing a parent. Saoirse and I were shells of what we should’ve been when my mother died. Even Pappa…the pain of losing someone, monster or not, never goes away. Luca deserved to have his throat slit open. But his family was innocent. “How did you—”

“You think I don’t know the world’s most prominent mafia family? I knew who Luca Accardi was, the very moment you mentioned his name. I also know—even though you continue to lie to me—Vienne didn’t just hire you to spy on me. You were supposed to kill me, weren’t you?”

I ignore his interrogation, and instead, point at the phone screen. “Why did you do this?”

Gabriel shrugs one shoulder. “It’s not right your rapist should outlive you. I’m going to let you die in here, Fiona,” he says so matter-of-factly. “But when you go, know that you’re free. I took care of the bad man for you.”

“My friends and family will know I’m missing. You’re accusing me of being a killer. Imagine what kind of company I keep. They’ll come looking for me.”

“Oh, I hope so,” he says with a menacing grin.

“Why would you want that?”

“I could’ve put a bullet in your brain, tied cinder blocks to your feet, and dumped you in the harbor by now. That’s what I did with the spy Vienne hired.”

“What?” I step back, feeling my heart in my throat.

“You honestly think this is the first time Vienne’s tried this?” Gabriel laughs. “It’s offensive, actually. She created the monster, and now she doesn’t even have the courtesy to deal with me herself.”

Created the monster? What does that mean?

“Gabriel, you couldn’t possibly have faked everything. I know there’s good in you. It’s not too late to turn this around. We can deal with Vienne together. And if you haven’t killed me yet, maybe it’s because you know I can help you.” Gabriel’s gaze bores into me as he tucks his phone back into his pocket. He looks me up and down and I try to keep my knees from buckling, so I don’t crash onto the floor.

He curls his finger, gesturing me to come closer. I clamber forward until we’re both just inches from the glass that divides us.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Fiona. You’re only alive because you’re bait.”

With that, Gabriel walks away into the distance, exiting the basement through an unmarked door. Once I’m alone, I seize the opportunity to thoroughly examine my cage.

The glass is at least six inches thick, maybe more. No way I can break through it. I study the tiny air holes lining the top of the box. It’s no use. Nothing that would fit in those holes would be strong enough to break the glass. Those air holes were most definitely lasered in.

I push against the outline of the door, but it’s no use. I try to dig my nails into the seam in case I can wedge it open, but I should’ve known better. Gabriel would’ve never put me in here unless he was damn sure I couldn’t get out.

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