Play the Game

By Veronica Ramirez

Isabella Heartingby has been running from her psychotic ex, Dominick Papaceno for years. Now, that he has found her he will do anything to make her pay for what she has done. With help from a retired federal agent Craig Slocan, can she survive the game Dominick has planned or will Craig’s secret ruin her chance at any type of survival?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Veronica Ramirez
• Release date: Jul 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463572245

Veronica Ramirez

Veronica Ramirez is a young woman in her early twenties. Veronica Ramirez was born in San Bernardino, California on September 11, 1997. She moved to New York State with her family when she was five years old. Veronica has always loved to read and write since elementary school. Veronica has recently graduated from RRFC for screenwriting, directing and producing. She released her first book, Play the Game in June of 2018 and is hoping to release more soon.

Book preview

DEDICATION

Idedicate this book to my mom, Maria and my dad, John who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Acknowledgements

Iwould like to take this time to thank all the people who made this book a possibility.

First off, I would like to thank my parents, Maria and John Ramirez who listened to me rant every day while I wrote this book and never complained. Who believed in me no matter what anybody else said.

Second, I would also like to thank my siblings, Bianca and Johnathon for being there for me through the entire process and for putting up with all my wild emotions while writing.

Third, I would also like to thank my editor Christie from eBook editing for helping me whip this book into shape.

Fourth, I would like to thank my friends who always asked about how the book was coming along whenever we talked.

Last but not least, I would like to thank you for buying this book and making my dreams come true. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it.

-Veronica Ramirez

Table of Contents

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PART 1: PLAY THE GAME

ISABELLA: PROLOGUE

DOMINICK: SHE’S GONE

DOMINICK: HOSPITAL

ISABELLA: DAVID

ISABELLA: DISAPPEARING

ISABELLA: DEATH TRAP

CRAIG SLOCAN

ISABELLA: SECOND DOOR

ISABELLA: KATIE

CRAIG: MISTAKE

ISABELLA: THE ‘DEAD’ HOUSE

ISABELLA: THE PASSWORD

ISABELLA: BLAME, GUILT, SECRETS

ISABELLA: THE SHOOTING

DOMINICK: KNOWING THE OUTCOME

DOMINICK: MEETING SAVANNA

DOMINICK: HIM

DOMINICK: SHOTS FIRED

DOMINICK: THE CALL

CRAIG: HOTEL

DOMINICK: EVAN BARKLEY

CRAIG: INSIDE MY HEAD

CRAIG: SAVED

CRAIG: BETRAYED

CRAIG: MORNING

CRAIG: HEY STRANGER

CRAIG: SAYING GOODBYE

CRAIG: TOMORROW

CRAIG: THE LAST RHYME

CRAIG: THE KISS

CRAIG: THE TALK

CRAIG: MY SECRET’S OUT

CRAIG: A FAMILIAR FACE

CRAIG: KILL

DOMINICK: BROKEN PROMISE

DOMINICK: NEWS

ISABELLA: WAITING FOR AMBULANCE

ISABELLA: WAITING FOR NEWS

ISABELLA: WAITING ROOM

PART 2: BECOMING THE HUNTER

ISABELLA: MILEY PSONG

ISABELLA: FIGHT OR FLIGHT

ISABELLA: MEETING AT THE LIBRARY

ISABELLA: ROGER’S BAR

ISABELLA: ROYAL LINCOLN

ISABELLA: PENELOPE OLSEN

DOMINICK: OVERBOARD

ISABELLA: TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT 724

ISABELLA: DEPLANE

DOMINICK: BENTLEY

ISABELLA: INJURED

ISABELLA: COVERED

ISABELLA: TUNNEL MEN

ISABELLA: BENTLEY’S STORY

THE FINAL FIGHT

EPILOGUE

PART 1: PLAY THE GAME

ISABELLA: PROLOGUE

Three months. All she would give herself was three months. Get a job, save money, and then like clockwork, she would pack her bags and bolt to another town. But she got tired. She was tired of leaving friends behind and leaving jobs she had fallen in love with. So, this time she stayed. Three months turned into six and six turned into a year. She still kept mostly to herself, but she had friends. She had her own apartment and was taking online classes. Just a few more classes and she’d have her bachelor’s degree. Her past remained a mystery to all those around her, but she was almost back to herself.

It was nights like these that scared Isabella the most. The thunder and lightning striking the ground while the rain pounded on the windows, almost as if someone was trying to break in. Sitting in the living room, she stared at the reflection on the television, clutching her blue blanket to her chest. Rocking back and forth, Isabella pictured him in her mind and it brought sheer terror to her, a face that used to make her day brighter. A face she had woken up to every morning and a face she sometimes missed. As tears slipped down her cheeks, she remembered the fateful night she found out the truth about who the love of her life was.

Two Years Ago

Where are you going? Isabella asked, her voice hushed, trying to lure him back.

I just have some stuff to take care of, Bell. I’ll be home by midnight, I promise, David responded.

That’s what you said yesterday and the day before and the day before that. Her voice rose.

I have things I have to take care off, he said, packing his stuff up like he always did.

Like what? David’s bright green eyes turned darker than she had ever seen them.

Nothing. It’s not important, Bell.

Well, it’s very important to me.

I don’t have time to argue right now. I have to get going. David had just put his hand on the doorknob when Isabella, not wanting to, blurted out, Are you cheating on me?

David turned back around and looked at her, surprised. His eyes went back to normal and he asked, Why the hell would you think that?

Because I have a reason to.

No, you don’t, David said, moving towards her.

So why do you keep disappearing? Isabella’s voice was low, because she was afraid of the answer he might give.

I promise I am not cheating on you and I will never cheat on you. I promise. I just have to do this.

Okay. Then tell me where you’re going, she said softly, not believing a word that was coming out of his mouth. David quickly came up to her, pulling her close, he gave her a passionate kiss that made her legs go weak, and whispered into her ear, I’ll be back as soon as I can.

As he walked out of their apartment, she dropped the robe she was in, her regular clothes on underneath, and peeked out the door. She watched him get into the elevator and heard him speak into his phone just as the doors closed, I'll be at Washington Park in an hour. 

After taking the stairs, she walked to the park, getting there a lot sooner than she needed to. The Dragons, a notable gang that were spread across the country, were having a meeting. Hiding behind a large tree, Isabella couldn't help but listen.

One person stood out, who was not a part of the gang. He was the only one in a suit and Isabella recognized him— Sampson, David’s best friend. They were inseparable half the time and Isabella wondered what he had done to get caught up with the notorious Dragons.

We would like to talk to him personally.

Impossible. My client doesn't take jobs in person. You tell me what you need him to do and I'll relay the message, Sampson told who Isabella assumed to be the leader.

Highest package.

Who's the target?

Stephen Berg.

Job?

He was a state senator.

When do you need it done? 

We were hoping tonight. We need him out of the picture.

Where?

We set up a meet for tonight at two. He'll be here alone.

It'll cost you.

How much?

Seventy-five grand. And we're going to need half up front.

We thought you would say that. There’s forty here. You'll get the rest when the job is done.

You'll see his body on the morning news tomorrow morning.

We better or your client...

"My client doesn't take lightly to being threatened. You should know better.

Make sure it's done.

No job is ever unfinished.

Everyone dispersed leaving only Sampson, and Isabella was stunned. She pulled out her cellphone and began dialing the police but stopped when she heard David’s voice.  She hung up the phone and was about to go warn him when he walked up to Sampson

Somebody wants somebody dead, Sampson?

Hearing that come out of David’s mouth, she took out her phone once again and put it on vibrate. She didn’t want to be found before she got a chance to see what was going on.

Yes. Stephen Berg. He’s an ex-state senator.

Who set it up?

They did. He'll be here at two, Dominick.

Isabella wondered why Sampson had called David Dominick and why David didn’t immediately correct him.

How much?

Seventy-five. They brought forty. The rest will be delivered after he's dead.

They better deliver the money in the morning or there will be more than one body.

They will.

Sampson left, leaving David behind. Isabella's phone vibrated, and she quickly picked it up, not wanting it to be heard.

Hello.

Turns out that I'm not going to be home anytime soon, Bell, David told her.

Why?

The boss needs me to work. I tried to get out of it but I can’t.

Isabella thought of telling David she knew where he was, but she knew she couldn't. Her gut told her she needed to see what was going to happen or she would never have the answer she was looking for...

Whatever, David. Bye.

I love you, Bell.

I love you too, David. As she ended the call, she whispered to herself, I hope I still do after tonight.

Isabella spent the night watching the love of her life and staring at the clock on her phone. The night was quiet and the only thing she could hear were crickets chirping. Unlike most people, she loved the sound. Isabella looked at David and could barely see him as there were no lights. She watched minute after minute until it finally reached two a.m.  Isabella heard footsteps coming up and a man dressed in jeans and a t-shirt approached David. She hoped that this wasn’t the state senator Sampson was talking about otherwise they would both be in trouble.

Stephen Berg? David asked.

Yes. Who are you?

Who do you think?

I was supposed to meet someone here.

The Dragons lied. See, you pissed off the wrong people. People with enough money to hire me.

And who are you?

Dominick Papaceno. You might know me as...

Isabella had heard that name before. It had been all over the news. They called him the,

The Angel of Death. Stephen said as Isabella whispered it to herself.

I've always hated that name. Dominick quipped.

I never thought I'd see you face to face.

Isabella started breathing frantically as she realized who the man she loved actually was. Knowing that her breathing was getting out of control and they would be able to hear if they stopped talking, she calmed herself down.

You wouldn't have if you had done things right, Dominick said, and Stephen laughed. What's so funny?

What do you know about what's right? Dominick Papaceno. The assassin for hire who kills anyone as long as he gets paid. And yet I did wrong. You should look in the mirror. There's probably no one in this world you wouldn't kill as long as it was a decent price. Stephen spit on the ground, obviously disgusted by the person before him.

You're wrong, Dominick told him as he took out a gun.

How'd you become this? Stephen asked.

Become what?

A monster.

It was instilled into me. Dominick replied

Isabella watched David as he raised the gun.

Say goodbye.

The man closed his eye as David pulled the trigger. Isabella screamed as she saw the man fall to the ground, blood pooling around his head. Quickly, she covered her mouth, but it was too late. Dominick had heard her and as she started running, she heard him say, You're dead. Whoever you are.

Isabella entered her apartment and as quickly as she could, took off her clothes and threw them into a garbage bag. She put the bag down the trash chute leaving her in her bra and panties. She quickly got into bed and laid there until David came home. He laid next to her, David cuddling her tight and for the first time in years, she felt unsafe next to the man she had trusted with her life.

Night after night she lay awake in his arms coming up with a plan to escape the nightmare that she had discovered lived within her own home.

DOMINICK: SHE’S GONE

Outside of his apartment , Dominick remembered the scream from that night. He had run after the girl knowing she was the only one that could ruin both of the lives he had built. He hadn’t been able to catch her as she disappeared inside of an apartment building. For some odd reason he thought he had heard the blood curdling scream before. Though he couldn’t place where. But once he figured it out, he could rest easy knowing that his lives could stay intact.

Dominick unlocked the apartment that he had just walked out of hours ago,