Page 77 of Silver Sinner

"Maddie! Sweetie, is everything okay?" I'm on my feet immediately while quickly wiping my eyes. "Bad dream?"

"Just thirsty," she murmurs, hurrying toward me. "Why are you crying?"

"I'm not crying, sweetie," I say, forcing a smile. "I'm just a little tired."

She immediately takes my hand and presses a sleepy kiss to my knuckles. "Don't be sad, Mommy."

"I'm not sad."

"Promise?" Her wide eyes gaze up at me and in that pit forming in my chest, there's a rush of warmth.

"I promise. Do you want some water?"

Maddie nods and follows me around the kitchen as I collect one of her cups and fill it with water. She drinks like she's absolutely parched, draining the cup in one go and then smacking her lips together proudly.

"Better?" I take the cup from her while she nods.

"Yessss!" Then she spots the table and grins. "Is Mr. Pierce coming for dinner?"

"He was supposed to be but he uh… he got caught up at work."

Maddie nods solemnly as if she's all-knowing about what that means. "Grownups," she mutters with a hint of disdain. It draws a rush of laughter from me and I scoop her up into my arms, kissing her cheek.

"Yes, sweetie, grown-up stuff."

Maddie yawns directly in my face as I carry her back to bed and she's asleep as her head hits the pillow. As resilient as she is, every time I look at her, I'm struck with a flash of how she looked when I ran into her room and saw her sobbing after Amy struck her. It scars my mind and I can't shake it free.

Kissing her forehead, I retreat back to the kitchen and I'm halfway through cleaning up the dinner when a sudden knock comes at the door. My heart lurches and a rush of excitement floods through me.

It must be Pierce, and he's going to shower me in affection and kisses to apologize for being late and not replying to me. Maybe I'll even make him work for it. Smoothing my hands down my dress, I smile my sweetest and rush to the door. Cold brass shocks my palm as I pull it open, but not as much as who is standing there with a cold, twisted sneer on his long, thin face.

Trik.

Not just Trik. Several men linger on the stairs behind him with bored, annoyed expressions as if being here is some huge inconvenience to them.

I freeze in place, and my heart gives one powerful punch against my ribs.

"Surprise!" Trik sneers, his jaw moving back and forth as he chews obnoxiously on a piece of gum. "See, this is what happens when you don't text me back, bitch."

He steps forward and I use all my strength to slam the door closed in his face. It's pointless as he's already one step over the threshold, but the force does shove him into the doorframe and catch him in the opening, giving me a moment to sprint away toward the kitchen.

Not again, not again!

"Layla!" Trik yells from the hallway.

I scramble into the kitchen, snatch up my phone, and grab the steak knife from the wooden block on the counter. Then I race back to the doorway. Dialing 911 seems useless, so I call Pierce instead and toss my phone onto the counter. There's no way I can win against Trik and his men but if it can get recorded on Pierce's voicemail then maybe, just maybe, he'll come and help me.

Trik wanders up the hallway toward me with that same smirk on his face while those strange men file into my home after him.

"Get out," I snarl, brandishing the knife and positioning myself between Trik and the hall leading to Maddie. "I've already called the cops, so if you wanna avoid arrest, get the fuck out of my home, Trik."

"I do so love how you say my name," he replies, completely unfazed by me or the blade in my hand.

"I said get out!" Lunging toward him, I thrust the blade up and forward, but he's faster than I expect, He sidesteps, grabs my wrist, and twists it so harshly that I'm forced to drop the blade with a cry. Then his other hand collides with my throat and chokes me as he slams me up against the wall.

"What were you gonna do, huh? Stab me? Stab all of us with your little kitchen knife?" he sneers in a low, ragged voice, bringing his face close to mine. I choke on the stale mix of mint and cigarette smoke on his breath. "Luckily, I'm not here for you this time."

I choke hard, clawing at his wrist with my other hand while tears smart in my eyes. "What?"