CHAPTER TWO
The Monster Inside Her Home
Opening
Madison barely made it home before sunset.
The anonymous text kept replaying in her mind.
He's watching you.
She locked the apartment door.
Checked it twice.
Then three times.
Only after pulling every curtain closed did she finally allow herself to breathe.
That was when she heard the key turning in the lock.
Her husband was home.
Ryan Hale smiled as he stepped inside carrying grocery bags.
To anyone else, he looked like the perfect husband.
Thirty-eight.
Successful financial consultant.
Well-dressed.
Soft-spoken.
The kind of man neighbors trusted to watch their children.
Only Madison knew what happened after the front door closed.
"You were late."
His smile never disappeared.
"I had a meeting."
"I called."
"My phone was on silent."
He placed the grocery bags on the kitchen counter with terrifying precision.
"You embarrassed me."
"I said I was sorry."
Ryan slowly removed his expensive watch.
Madison's heart began pounding.
She had learned the pattern years ago.
When he removed the watch...
The beating was coming.
"You met Dante Romano today."
She froze.
"How do you know that?"
Ryan laughed quietly.
"You think powerful people don't interest me?"
Madison stepped backward.
"You talked to him."
"He asked if I was okay."
Ryan's smile vanished.
"And what did you tell him?"
"The truth."
"You lied."
"I said I slipped."
He stared at her for several seconds.
Then...
SLAP!
The force threw her against the kitchen cabinet.
Glass shattered across the floor.
Ryan grabbed her throat.
"If that man comes near this family again..."
His fingers tightened.
"I'll bury him beside you."
Suddenly...
A black SUV stopped outside.
Then another.
And another.
Ryan looked toward the window.
Five men in black suits stepped onto the sidewalk.
One opened an umbrella.
Although it wasn't raining.
The front doorbell rang once.
Ryan frowned.
"Who the hell..."
The doorbell rang again.
This time followed by three slow knocks.
Madison recognized none of the men.
Ryan opened the door.
Standing there...
Dante Romano.
Perfect black suit.
Calm expression.
Hands behind his back.
"I apologize for the interruption."
Ryan forced a smile.
"Can I help you?"
"I'm looking for Madison."
"My wife is resting."
"I know."
Dante's eyes drifted briefly toward the broken glass inside the apartment.
"And I don't think she's resting."
Ryan stepped forward.
"I think you should leave."
Dante remained perfectly still.
"So should you."
Silence.
Neither man blinked.
Ryan had no idea who he was threatening.
Dante finally spoke.
"Three neighbors called police over domestic disturbances during the last twelve months."
Ryan's face changed.
"The police found nothing."
"I know."
"I donated to their campaign."
Dante smiled slightly.
"I own the building."
Ryan swallowed.
"I own the parking lot."
Another pause.
"I own the bank holding your mortgage."
Ryan's confidence disappeared.
Then Dante delivered the sentence that shattered everything.
"I also know you owe six million dollars to people who don't forgive debt."
Madison stared.
Ryan had never told her.
Dante continued.
"You've been using your wife's salary to cover gambling losses."
Ryan's breathing grew heavier.
"You investigated me?"
"No."
Dante looked him directly in the eyes.
"My people investigate everyone who threatens someone under my protection."
Madison whispered...
"Protection?"
Dante answered without looking away from Ryan.
"Starting today..."
"You."
For the first time in six years...
Someone stood between Madison and the man who terrified her.
But Ryan wasn't finished.
As Dante turned to leave...
Ryan quietly reached inside a kitchen drawer.
And wrapped his fingers around a loaded pistol.
Ending
Madison saw it first.
Her eyes widened.
"Dante..."
Ryan pulled the gun.
May you like
Everything happened in less than one second.
END OF CHAPTER TWO
