EXCERPT FROM BETRAYED - A romantic suspense novel | Page 43

BETRAYED

NINE
Anger is a brief madness. ~Horace, Epistles
Sal raced up the stairs and bumped into Sherry on her way
down. “What the hell?”
Gulping back sobs, she cried, “That idiot! I knew there
would be trouble the minute I heard his name.”
All it took was one look at her face for Sal to break into a
run.
“Sal, the only thing I wanted was the money you’re paying
us for the girl. I think that crazy asshole killed her. What are we
going to do?” She buried her face in her hands.
Fury transformed Sal’s face into an ugly mask. “Pervert!” he
yelled, as he stomped into the room. He raised Laurel’s limp
arm looking for a pulse, only to let it fall back on the bed. Fists
clenched, he stared at the battered body, blood-encrusted
tangle of black hair and once beautiful face, now a mass of
darkening bruises surrounding a smashed nose. He kicked the
wall to release his building rage. “Shit! What a mess. Lucky for
us sound doesn’t carry in these old houses.”
He paced the room, mumbling, “Okay, what’s done is done.
I never should’ve listened to you two in the first place. I think
you’re right. I think that crazy bastard actually killed her.”
Sherry’s eyes ignited. Her voice choked as she shouted, “It’s
your fault, Sal. You’re the one who let Creed have her. I thought
he wasn’t welcome here after Sonia.”
Sal continued to pace, lost in thought. Finally he said i