Chapter 15 - The Call
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Back at the upstate fortress, Emma paced the length of the living room, her eyes glued to the massive television screen. The news networks were breaking live coverage of the massive explosion and shootout at the Brooklyn docks.
"Breaking news: A violent gang war has erupted on the Brooklyn waterfront tonight..." the anchor droned, the footage showing massive pillars of black smoke rising into the night sky.
Emma clutched a throw pillow to her chest, her heart hammering wildly. Dominic was in that inferno. The man who had saved her family was currently walking through a hail of bullets.
Suddenly, the private landline in the living room rang.
Emma froze. Nobody knew this number except Dominic’s inner circle.
She rushed over and picked up the receiver. "Dominic?"
"Ah, the brave little maid speaks," a heavy, thickly accented Russian voice chuckled darkly over the line.
Emma’s blood ran cold. It wasn't Dominic. It was Alexei Kolov.
"How did you get this number?" Emma gasped, sheer terror paralyzing her limbs.
"A dead rat gave it to me before he bled out," Kolov sneered, clearly referring to a tortured Castellano guard. "I hear you are watching the news, Emma. It is a beautiful fire, yes?"
"Dominic will destroy you," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"Dominic is dead," Kolov laughed, a harsh, grating sound that made her stomach churn violently. "My men cornered him near the loading bay. They filled him with lead. The great Castellano boss died trying to protect a pile of burning boxes."
"You're lying!" Emma screamed, tears springing to her eyes.
"Believe what you want, little bird," Kolov mocked. "But without him to protect you, your fortress is just a cage. Enjoy your final days. I will be coming to collect you soon."
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The line went dead with a click.
Emma dropped the phone, collapsing onto her knees on the plush carpet, sobbing uncontrollably. The invincible protector, the man who had kissed her under the moonlight, was gone. She was entirely alone again, trapped in a house waiting for the monsters to arrive.
