May the Wolf Die by Elizabeth Heider

Author:Elizabeth Heider [Heider, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2024-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

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The line at Incendio was a hypercharged, hypersexualized mess. As though the tension in the city infected everything, people had surrendered the dignity of waiting behind the line and were clamoring at the doors.

Nikki pushed her way through the crowd, and was jarred, jostled, and once elbowed in the head before she gave up the effort. Retreating, she reconsidered her approach.

Crossing around the side of the building, she came to the locked service entrance. She pounded on the door until a man from the kitchen staff answered. He recognized her and let her in.

Adrenaline charged her body, making her numb and a little cold. It drove her through the kitchen and back hallways and onto the main dance floor. Here, there was no choice but to force through the chaos and throbbing noise and lights. But she’d long ago stopped caring about politeness. She shoved through the dancers and up the stairs, not caring who was annoyed or inconvenienced, shouting “Out of my way!” on the chance that people might actually move. Few did.

Riccardo was waiting outside the entrance of Enzo’s private booth.

“He’s fine,” he said.

But she needed to see for herself. Riccardo let her in.

Enzo was sitting with a group of men. They were drinking and talking and laughing. One of the men noticed her, and nudged Enzo. He looked up, stood.

Relief washed through Nikki, weakening knees and arms. He was fine. He was fine.

He came towards her, put an arm around her, pulled her in, kissed her cheek. He smelled like alcohol and cologne.

“You look so serious,” he said with a grin.

The music was too loud to talk properly. Nikki showed him her phone, said, “Someone sent me these.”

He thumbed through the pictures, laughed, kissed her on the cheek, and returned her phone.

“Just some idiot. Somebody fucking around.”

“Did you see who it was?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. Hey . . . come join us.”

He interlaced his fingers through hers, tugged her gently towards his group of friends. Nikki resisted. She was sweating and breathing hard, and felt suddenly tired.

“I’ve got to get home. I have work in the morning.”

She showed Riccardo the pictures on the way out.

“Keep an eye on him. And look out for the asshole who took these.”

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