Calm Before the Storm

*for mature audiences only, depictions of assault, abuse, and injury

I take my morning run to empty my mind. When I get back to the apartment his men are outside. “What are you guys doing here?” I ask one of them. He gives me a nod acknowledging who I am.

“Boss is having a meeting inside.” The bile in my stomach starts churning as I continue down the sidewalk. Halfway through my second run my phone starts to buzz. I slide it out of the pocket of my sweatpants and reluctantly answer.

“Where the fuck are you?” Leo’s voice is lined with fire.

“I’m on a run.”

“You went on a run two hours ago. Where the fuck are you?” He shouts into the phone again.

“Well considering your conduction house meetings now I went for another run.”

“Tell me where you are. I’m coming to pick you up.”

“I’ll be home when I’m done running.”