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When Sal did what he did to o, he had no idea who I was to Saured I was a hooker, looking to make some extra cash No one in Sairl he raised and supposedly loved to no end--into a drug transaction

No one but a crazy man

Sal certainly had no idea what kind of man Sam really is

Neither did I But we both found out rather quickly That night was the second ti to ed sobs that I couldn’t control, explained in great detail how Sal felt the need to explore any and all possible--and highly iritted his teeth and sthe drop and then co pills and waited bydown a cold piece of pizza in the kitchen in a sely face streaked the news station with the taglines "drug-related" and "sending a clearthe headlines The killers didn’t even atte the side of a hith the word respect painted over his chest in his own blood

Sam wrapped his ar overheard, "I caught him for you, little mouse He tried to run But you can’t run fro, "No one disrespects ain"

I re the scent of his Brut cologne--once cos: his reference to respect for himself, when I was the one who had been violated, and the word again What "again"? I didn’t want an again I wanted no more! Like Dominic, his best friend and business partner

Dos clicked that day: that I was involved in so way over le myself from it until Sam allowed it If Sam ever allowed it

But most importantly, that was the day I realized that I should be terrified offor --the one that’s so heavy with the payoff that the strap is cutting intofake sht This drop was soether different Eddieto ain for a while That hopein my driver’s seat with relief

As et rid of all evidence, I can’t risk being pulled over by the cops with a bag full of hundred-dollar bills So I stick to the speed lie point--a se My phone reveals a text fro me today That’s code for "the coast is clear"

I park the car, locking the keys and the money in the trunk There’s a public park across the road and in that park, I knoill find a Santa Claus–lookingthe paper Waiting

But I don’t search for him because that is, under no circu strict protocol, I walk a hundred feet ahead to where my navy-blue Sorento awaits With my extra set of keys out to unlock it, I cli

"Hello?"

"All good?"

I open my mouth but hesitate Should I tell Sa, but that was nothing compared to Sal Plus, I don’t want to be the reason for another brutal dismemberment and murder I think I have Bob under control now and if he’s the worst that I have to deal with, I canwent as planned"

"Good You’ll be dealing with the connections Enjoy the rest of your day"

The phone goes dead

A lotforward "How could you do this to me, Sam!" I whisper into the silence How could he? Even I know that you don’t knowingly put people you love in danger