Page 1 of Wicked Truths
Prologue
A gunshot cracks throughthe night air. Dom’s hand clamps around mine, yanking me toward the car.
“Are you going to kill me?” I ask again. I inhale sharply, saying the words I already know the answer to.
Yesterday, I wouldn’t have had to ask my step dad that question.
Dominic tilts his head to one side and smiles.
He slides his finger over my cheek, but he isn’t looking into my eyes when he says, “I wouldn’t be able to kill you, piccola. You know that.” He finally looks into my eyes. “I’d get someone to do it for me.”
When he releases me, I try to steady myself, but my legs are wobbly. I slap my hand against the wall to stop myself from crashing onto the floor.
My head is pounding not from the alcohol I consumed, but from the fear of what is coming.
He looks over my shoulder once more. Dom’s never looked so nervous as he raises his hand in the air and points behind me, showing two fingers.
I wrap my arms around myself to contain the shiver running just under my skin as his bodyguard, Garret, removes his gun from his waistband.
Garret nods at his number two and the two of them press their bodies against the metal as they creep along the car.
I twist around to see what spooked Dominic.
There’s nobody there, but my body jerks as a gunshot rattles through the air.
Dominic takes my hand and drags me to his car.
“Get in,” he hisses. “The car is bulletproof and nobody can get in from the outside. Keep yourself safe.”
I do as he asks. Maybe he doesn’t want anyone to hurt me.
Thinking about that, I chew my lip.
I gasp as he takes his gun from underneath his jacket.
When he closes the door, I glance into the passenger mirror, keeping my focus on the scene behind me. Watching as Dominic slides along the car, his gun ready to shoot.
My heart hammers against my chest. And only when he is out of view and it’s only me and the darkness ahead—or is it freedom—do I consider my options.
Die later?
Or run now?
I shudder, listening to the gunshots in the distance, knowing this battle is something I caused, and what that really means for me.
I only have one option, and that’s disappearing from Australia forever. And I can escape from here if I can get to the Gold Coast Airport by 4PM tomorrow.
I pull on the handle of the car and step out onto the concrete in my stupid high heels. Time is not on my side. I take off my shoes, holding them in my hand as I dart toward the safety of darkness—the opposite direction to where Dom went.
“Ow,” I hiss at the sharp pain that pierced my soles.
I keep running, but stay hidden at the side of the parked cars. I can’t stop, even if my feet are shredded. I need to get away from him. Not just him. I need to get away from here forever.
An engine comes to life behind me. I don’t look. I can’t look. I keep running but when a police car zooms by; I dart into the road.
“Help,” I scream, waving my arms in the air for him to stop and save me, but I’m suddenly regretting the decision when the car’s lights dim ahead of me.
I dash back between two parked cars, crouch down, and wait to see if the police car turns around.
