Run To You

she stood and moved across the room to her closet. She reached inside and pulled out her short red kimono robe. She was certain everyone had heard about Ricky by now, and she was sure Malika would want the details.
    Although Malika really should have called first, Stella tied the red belt around her waist and walked down the short hall. The closer she got to the door, the more she realized that Malika wouldn’t pound so hard. One of the things she didn’t like about her apartment, aside from the cheap carpet, was that there was no peephole in the door.
    “Who is it?” she called out.
    “Lou Gallo.”
    “Who?”
    “Ricky De Luca’s associate.”
    Crap! Lefty Lou. Ricky’s friend with the thin black comb-over and missing left thumb. “What do you want?”
    “Just a word,” a new voice provided. Probably Ricky’s other friend. The square one. The one as wide as he was tall. Fat Fabian. “One question and then we’re gone.”
    “Just one?”
    “Yeah.”
    She didn’t believe them and left the safety chain on as she opened the door a crack. “What’s your question?”
    “Where’s your boyfriend?”
    “What boyfriend?” Through the crack she could make out Lou’s tropical guayabera and his sweaty neck.
    “The one who hit Ricky last night.”
    “He isn’t my boyfriend. I never saw him before.”
    “Right,” Fat Fabian scoffed. “Who was he? Give us a name and we’ll go on our way.”
    “I don’t know his name.” She had his card. She could give it to them and they might leave her alone. She’d be off the hook, but she didn’t want to do that. She didn’t know Joe, but she did feel a smidge of gratitude toward the guy. Although there might have been a better option than knocking Ricky out.
    “Ricky wants you to come to the bar.”
    “Okay.” She had no intention of ever going anywhere near Ricky De Luca. “I’ll get dressed and drive over.”
    “No. You come with us now.”
    Not going to happen. “Sorry. Can’t do that, boys. I have to dress and shower.”
    One thumbless hand reached through the opening and grabbed the chain. Stella gasped and her eyes widened as he pulled on it hard, once, twice. It all happened so fast and one of the screws popped halfway out of the wall. Pure adrenaline rushed across Stella’s skin and up her spine and she slammed the door on his hand.
    “Fuck!”
    She opened it just enough to slam it again.
    “Awww! Fuck!”
    This time when she opened it, he pulled his hand back just in time. The door slammed closed and she dead bolted it before they could ram a shoulder into it. Which they did.
    “I’m calling the police!” she called out.
    The thumping stopped. “You can’t stay in there forever.”
    “I’m getting my phone!” She moved to the kitchen and unzipped the front pocket of her backpack. She reached inside and pulled out the phone. G.I. Joe’s card came out at the same time and she walked back across the room and put her ear to the door. She didn’t hear anything, but that didn’t mean that she believed for one second they would leave and never come back. Especially since she’d slammed Lefty Lou’s hand in the door. Twice.
    She was screwed. First by Ricky. Then Joe. Now Lou and Fabian. Men sucked. She’d never known one of them she could depend on. Except maybe Uncle Jorge, but he had ten of his own kids to worry about.
    The cheap shag carpet scratched her feet as she moved to the sliding glass door leading to her balcony and looked out the vertical blinds. The two goons stood in the parking lot talking on their own cell phones. What was she going to do now? How long would she have to wait them out? Ricky’s buddies couldn’t stay out there forever. If they didn’t leave soon, she would have to call the police.
    The card in her palm stuck her finger and she opened her hand. At the moment, she had more pressing concerns than a reunion with Sadie. She looked at the bottom of the card and dialed the ten numbers with her thumb.
    “You reached me,” spoke the deep familiar voice. “Leave a message.”
    “Hello. This is Stella Leon.” Just in case he didn’t remember her she added, “Sadie Hollowell’s sister. Listen, I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be calling to set up a meeting with Sadie anytime soon.” Once again, she looked through the blinds covering the door. “Ricky De Luca, my former boss, isn’t real happy about you punching him in the head and sent his associates over here.” She turned from the