I shook my head with jerky movements.

Standing up, he shoved the gun back into the waistband of his pants, put his finger to his lips, and opened the door, listening for a second before stepping out. As soon as he was gone, I surged forward and shut it behind him, then backed into the farthest corner and pulled my knees up to my mutilated chest, which suddenly throbbed in pain.

Jesus, how could I have thought he’d forget about me?

The only reason I was still alive right now was because I’d made a deal with Mario the same day he’d dumped me in the woods. Terrified he would...