Chapter 7 7

It was dark when Daniella got back to the Bronx. She was carrying a box of onboarding documents.

The streetlights were out again. The building loomed like a grey tombstone.

She climbed the stairs. The motion-sensor light on the third floor flickered and died. She had to feel her way along the wall.

When she reached her door, she stopped. The wood around the lock was splintered.

Her heart hammered against her ribs. She put the box down slowly. She reached into her purse and gripped her pepper spray.

The door swung open from the inside.

Xander stood there. He was holding a can of beer. He looked at home.

"You're late, babe," he slurred. His eyes were glassy.

Daniella took a step back. "How did you get in? Get out!"

"I'm your fiancé," Xander said. He dangled a key-a spare she thought she had lost months ago. "I have a key."

He tossed the beer can aside. Foam splattered on her rug. He walked toward her.

"Heard you moved up in the world," he sneered. "Blackburn? Really? What does a guy like that want with damaged goods like you?"

Daniella raised the pepper spray. "I have the video, Xander. The police are filing charges."

He lunged.

He slapped the can out of her hand. It skittered across the floor.

Daniella screamed. They grappled in the narrow hallway. She knocked over a trash can.

He shoved her against the wall. His hands found her throat.

"Give me the drive!" he shouted, spit flying into her face. "What did that bastard give you?"

Black spots danced in Daniella's vision. She clawed at his face. Her nails dug into his cheek.

"Let her go!"

Mrs. Kowalski from downstairs was standing on the landing, wielding a broom. "I called 911!"

Xander froze. The mention of police penetrated his rage. He couldn't afford another arrest. Not now.

He let go. Daniella slid to the floor, gasping for air.

"You got lucky," Xander spat. He pointed a shaking finger at her. "Don't think Blackburn can protect you forever."

He shoved past Mrs. Kowalski and ran down the stairs.

Daniella coughed, clutching her throat. It burned.

"Oh, honey," Mrs. Kowalski said, helping her up. "You can't stay here. It's not safe."

Daniella nodded. She walked into her apartment.

It was destroyed. Her laptop was smashed on the floor. Her clothes were pulled from the closet and shredded.

Her sanctuary was gone.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. An email.

From: Crockett Blackburn.

Subject: Meeting Prep.

Are the files ready for tomorrow?

Daniella stared at the name. A sob broke from her chest.

She wiped her eyes. She made a decision. She couldn't fight this alone.

She typed a reply.

Files are on the laptop. Laptop is destroyed. I need an advance on my salary. I need to move.

Five seconds later, her phone rang.

She answered.

"Don't move," Crockett's voice was ice cold. "I've had a surveillance team in your area since you became a person of interest. They'll be there in under five minutes."