Page 22 of Giovanni the Savage

“At West … Avenue. An alley,” he stutters.

Not too far from here.

“I’ll be there. Stay with me, Lucas, and deep breaths, okay?” I order, increasing my pace.

“Fuck, I’m in … pain.” He grunts.

Tears stream down my face, and my heart beats violently.

“I know, baby. But please stay with me,” I plead. “I’m almost there.”

I turn onto the street of West Avenue and cross the road hastily.

“Watch where you’re going, bitch!” a driver yells while sticking his head out.

I flip him off and get on the pavement, ignoring him.

Probably some privileged asshole who is half-drunk but too stubborn not to drive.

I turn into the alley hastily, and my heart pounds even faster.

“Lucas?” I call both into the phone and the dark alley.

There’s no one on the narrow road, making me even more scared. No shop is open, and there’s no sound except for the occasional dog bark from a distance.

No sign of Lucas.

“Lucas!” I yell, now walking faster.

I shift a dirt bag away in dumb hopes that hell is huddled behind it, but he’s not there.

“God.” I end the call and focus on finding him physically.

If only there was someone to at least ask.

I turn right into another part of the alley, and a figure on the ground catches my eye. Rushing to it, I say a short prayer, begging God to show some mercy to my fucked-up life just this once.

A breath leaves my lips when I get closer and realize it’s Lucas, but panic replaces the relief when I see his state.

There are so many cuts on just his face alone, and there’s still a knife lodged in his thigh. There’s blood on every inch of his body, and I can barely find clear skin.

I crouch beside him and feel relieved when I feel a pulse. Just as I’m about to dial an emergency number, a counter call comes in. It’s an unknown number, but I swipe to answer because I want to get it over with.

I don’t get a word in before the person on the other end speaks.

“Pay up, Majors, or we’ll be back.”

A short, clear message, yet when the call ends, goosebumps pepper my hands, and my breathing escalates. Then I remember I have to take Lucas to the hospital. I tuck my phone back into my pocket and focus on how much blood he’s lost.

I suddenly remember the men at the café today and the blood on the napkin.

They are out to get me, and they’re using my weak spot. My only family.

CHAPTER SIX - Giovanni

The knock on my door pulls my tired eyes away from my laptop to the large doors of my office. My eyes are beginning to cross from how long I’ve been staring at the screen, perusing some information about Harvey while waiting expectantly for my temporary permanent assistant. How ironic!

A sigh leaves my lips when Eric, my friend, walks in instead.

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