Page 329 of Phobia
Breathe. Concentrate. Wait.
“Notnothingafter all, it seems.” He points to my stomach with his gloved hand. I see no weapon, but that doesn’t mean he’s not hiding one.
Casually, he steps closer, like he has all the time in the world.Time.He thinks I’m not a threat.
Gripping the handle of the knife, I take a deep breath in.I hold the cards.
“I’d tell you this isn’t personal, but you’re pregnant with that bastard’s baby, so, unfortunately for you. It’s very personal.”
I’m in control.
I say nothing, show nothing, letting him speak as he moves closer.
“The way I see it, I’m doing you a favour.” He smiles more genuinely this time. “You’re afraid of this baby. You don’t want this baby. So, once I’ve made you truly nothing…” He pauses to stare me up and down, my skin crawling from his unspoken threat. “I’m going to cut that baby out of you and leave you to bleed to death like your mum did.”
My heart skips a beat. The image of my mum haunts me for a moment before it’s replaced with my own and something new. Something that changes everything—my baby.
“It’s what you expect to happen anyway. So why torture yourself for nine months when we can end it now.”
He’s so close, I could kick him, but not close enough.
The noise from the fight downstairs fades into the background, my focus on this room, my body—my babythat he wants to kill.
Clearing my throat, I find my calm,my crown. “In my nightmares, only I die. My baby lives.”
He sneers, moving closer. “Well, this is reality, and it dies with you, so be a good girl and get on that bed.”
I mirror his expression. “You seem to be confused about my phobia.”
He straightens, his hand inching towards his side.
“It’s not that I don’twantthis baby. I’m afraid ofdyingwhilst having this baby.”
“Thanks for the clarification. Now do as you’re told.”
“So…” I continue. My focus on the knife in my hand, his on my face, attempting to read it. “That suggests I don’t want to die. So why the fuck would I make it easy for you?”
We move simultaneously, but my weapon is already in my hand, and my blade pierces his chest before he’s even gripped the handle of his.
Connor’s eyes widen in shock, and when I pull the blade free only to plunge it in again, they almost bulge out of his skull. I stab him a third time, the knife now slickin my hand as he covers me in his blood. When the blade sinks in for a fourth time, his eyes start to close, so I keep on stabbing, ignoring the pain in my arm until they close completely, and his lifeless body crashes to the floor.
Panting, forcing the air into my lungs, I check my body, starting with my stomach. I’m fine.We’refine.
Dom.
As soon as I focus on him, I hear the commotion in the house I previously blocked out. They’re in the kitchen and stillfighting, which means Dom’s alive, and I intend to keep it that way.
Climbing over the bed to avoid Connor’s body, I race out of the room and down the stairs, keeping my bare feet light. Reaching the bottom, I crane my neck around the corner leading to the kitchen and almost cry out and give myself away.
It’s three-on-one. Dom’s outnumbered but still standing.
Gripping the knife, I prepare to enter the fray, but the front door flies open, halting my mission.
Frank,with Tommy by his side.
Frank falters when he sees me covered in blood, but only for a moment. His index finger presses against his lips, and I acknowledge his silent instruction and hold up three of my own.
He nods, understanding, and they make their way in. A hand touches my arm, and I raise my knife but lower it when I see Billy, who must’ve come in from the back.
