Page 173 of Valentino

What’s that sound?

Dtt, Dtt…. “Arghhh.”

My brain catches up with my ears, that was a scream. My eyes snap open. Dtt, Dtt, Dtt. Oh my God, and that’s a semiautomatic gun.

I listen as my heart races. Was it, or was I just having a nightmare?

Bang. A car door.

“Arghh.” I hear someone cry out in pain.

Bang. Another car door.

Fuck!

I dive out of bed, run to the window and peer down on the street. There’s two black SUVs pulled up out the front with all four car doors open on each car.

My heart begins to hammer.

Dtt, Dtt, Dtt echoes again, but it sounds like it’s coming from down the street now, farther away.

What’s going on?

I see a shadow run across the street and lean into one of the cars, who’s that and what’s he doing in that car down there?

“Anna,” Valentino yells from the living room. “Lock yourself in the bathroom.”

“Why?” I cry in a panic.

“Do it.”

I grab my clothes, run into the bathroom, and lock the door. I flick the light on and scramble to pull my clothes on.

Is someone in the house?

I hear the bedroom door open and then close. Oh no….

Someone’s come into the bedroom.

I put my ear to the door, and I hear the wardrobe door close.

Who’s out there?

Oh my God, I hold my chest to try and quieten the thumping of my terrified heart.

Dtt, Dtt, Dtt echoes from down the street again. A man screams in the distance.

What the hell is going on out there?

“Anna,” I hear a man’s voice call; my eyes widen as the air leaves my lungs.

Carlo.

“Anna.” The voice sounds closer.

He’s in the house.

I put my hand over my mouth in sheer terror, where’s Valentino?