Elena's blood literally turned to ice. The phone was still ringing against her ear as she stared at the armed man in fear.
It was as if she was frozen and couldn't end the call but luckily it connected.
"Alessandro—" she gasped, voice cracking with raw terror.
"Alessandro help please!" Elena quickly whimpered in panic.
"Elena?!" Alessandro's voice exploded through the speaker, sharp and lethal. "What the fuck is going on? Are you okay? Where are you? Talk to me right now!"
Before she could answer, the gunman lunged forward and ripped the phone violently from her hand.
"Give it back!" Elena cried as she tried to grab the phone.
The man smashed the phone against the marble pillar with savage force. It exploded in a spray of plastic and glass. Alessandro's furious voice cut off mid-sentence.
"You stupid fucking whore," the gunman snarled. He hit her across the face with the butt of his heavy gun with brutal strength.
