Page 3 of Savage Enemy

The mayor might have meant to be a good man. He campaigned on taking down the city’s crime lords. But then my family got their hands on his daughter. My father let Aris do unspeakable things, and threatened worse, including releasing a video. My father took what he wanted by force.

God help anyone who got in his way. Friend, family, enemy.

The stranger on the bench let out an awkward laugh and scanned the area, his eyes flitting past me, then back again. His brows lowered like if he was trying to place me.

I didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.

I ducked my head and let my hair fall forward.

And I prayed.

The man jumped up and grabbed his briefcase.

His train must’ve been called.

Fuck. He headed for the same track as mine.

Heart pounding, I raced to the sleeper car and hurried down the narrow corridor to my private room.

I slammed the door and yanked the curtain shut.

Peeking through a small slit, I watched the man pass.

Had he recognized me?

Was he following me? Looking for me?

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I didn’t know what to do.

I doubled checked the lock—unlocking it and relocking it three times to satisfy my paranoia.

For the next twenty hours, curled up on the worn faux-leather two-seater, I stared at that stupid metal door with the dirty red curtain.

I didn’t sleep.

I refused food every time the attendant knocked.

When the train finally pulled into Penn Station, I closed my eyes for just a minute.

I took in a long, deep breath.

My first breath as a free girl who’d escaped death by faking her death.

I’d escaped the Mafia.

And the Bratva.

God, I hoped it would last.

CHAPTER 1

VAL

NOW

Marco Moscatelli’s voice carried up to my son’s bedroom from the foyer, sending a chill down my spine.

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