Page 96 of Finally Mine
“I think I’m going to text Aldo and let him know,” Gloria said, fighting through the panic.
“Good idea,” Sophie said, patting her on the hand.
She took her phone into the dining room and tried not to think about what could be lurking in the dark on the other side of those windows. She debated for a moment. This wasn’t anyone’s battle but her own. Not Harper’s. Not Aldo’s. But she didn’t have to do this alone anymore.
She dialed Aldo before she could change her mind.
“Hey, Glo.” His voice was warm, affectionate. “How’s girl’s night?”
“Glenn’s out, Aldo,” she said, happy that she kept the tremor out of her voice. “Ty called. They don’t know where he is.”
“I’m coming to you,” he said. No hesitation. No questioning her fear. Aldo would be there for her.
Hannah hustled into the dining room and started checking the windows. She could hear Harper on the phone telling Mrs. Agosta to keep the kids inside. They were all on the same page. Glenn was coming after her.
“I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” Gloria whispered.
“Honey, the only one getting hurt is him if he tries to get anywhere near you,” Aldo promised. She could hear his truck engine start.
Lola trotted into the room and leaned up against Gloria’s leg. She wasn’t alone, she realized. She wouldn’t have to face this alone anymore. One way or another, it would end tonight.
“It’s probably nothing. We’re probably overreacting,” Gloria told him. Hoped it would be true. But she felt it coming. Trouble.
“I’m on my way now. Keep the doors locked, okay, Glo? I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Okay. I’m going to go tell the girls you’re coming.”
“I’ll be there in a couple of minutes,” he promised. “I’m going to call Ty, okay? Then I’ll call you right back.”
“Yeah. That sounds good,” she said, taking a breath and then another one.
“I’ll be there soon, sweetheart.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. She hung up and returned to the kitchen.
Lola jogged down the hallway to Harper, and Gloria heard the snick of the deadbolt.
“Sorry to be such a party pooper,” Gloria said lamely. “Aldo’s on his way.”
“Ty, too,” Sophie told her. “He’s checking your place and your mom’s place first.”
“Okay, good.”
“So…who is this Glenn guy?” Hannah asked. “Because he sounds like a dick.”
Sophie smirked, and Gloria let out a nervous titter. “Yeah, pretty much.”
Before anyone could fill Hannah in on how much of a dick Glenn was, there was a crash of glass followed by Harper’s shrill shriek.
Gloria’s demon was here. She could feel him like a stain, a bruise, a dark mark that ruined everything.
“Oh, fuck!” Sophie lunged for the knife block and yanked out a boning knife.
“Everybody out!” Harper screamed from the dining room. “Go to Mrs. Agosta’s!”
Hannah grabbed Gloria’s wrist in a death grip.
“Go!” Sophie hissed at them, clutching the knife in both hands. “Get her out!”
