Page 388 of The First Taste
I turn around, barely recognizing him as a person before I lift my gun and shoot him twice in the stomach. The gunshots ring out loud in the alley. He drops to the ground, squealing like a pig and writhing in pain.
For a second, my brain refuses to work.
I stare at him, horrified, as he slumps and gurgles.
The sound of the gunfire rings in my ears. My heart pounds.
I have to get out of here, I think. The gunshots will call the world down upon me.
I clutch at the neckline of my sweater. God gave me an opening, I’m pretty damned sure. I lick my lips, backing up, and consider my options. I look both ways down the alley.
If I run away right now, Constantine or his men might see me. They will give chase. And I’m not stupid enough to think that I can just escape capture a second time.
I bring my hand to my ribs, tears filling my eyes. I can’t look down. I am badly injured, but I think that not knowing the extent of my injuries right now is somehow saving me.
Still, I can’t go far without people following.
I push my cheek out with my tongue and think of the restroom I left not long ago. The door to the back hallway is still ajar. I head over to it, using my toe to nudge it open.
The man I shot is nowhere to be seen. There are several bloody handprints on the wall, where he got up and exited through the store.
Blood rushes through my temples, making it hard to think. In my limited capacity, I step into the building once more and find my way to the bathroom. It’s my safest bet, for the moment at least.
I slink backward, opening and closing the door quietly. Then I lock the deadbolt.
As I pull out my phone, I realize just how badly I’m shaking. Going to the contacts, I select the only number saved in my phone.
I press dial, clenching my eyes closed and whispering a prayer.
One ring.
Two rings.
Three rings.
“Come on… come on…”
Hades picks up with a grumble. “This had better be fucking important, Persephone.”
“Hades?” I whisper. “I’m in Monaco City… and I need your help… I just saw Constantine. He’s… he’s here. And I’ve been stabbed.”
The last few words are lost, swallowed by my tears. I try not to panic or get hysterical, but it’s almost impossible.
Constantine almost killed me once. I know too much, and I can testify that he’s a bad, bad man.
If he finds me, I am absolutely certain that he is going to finish the job.
“Fuck,” Hades curses. There is a pause. “Where are ye?”
I take a deep breath, trying not to cry. “Parapharmacie Édouard. I’ve locked myself in the bathroom.”
There’s a silence on the line. For a second, I think he’s considering whether I’m worth the trouble of saving or not. Big, fat tears leak from my eyes.
“Please, Hades,” I beg. “Please, come get me.”
Another second. Then he grates an answer.
“Stay put. I’ll be there shortly. Do not open that fucking door for anybody but me.”
