THE UNKILLABLE GIRL

Part 1 Elena Cross had always believed that the worst thing that could happen to her was losing her family. She was wrong. The worst thing was discovering that someone wanted her dead. Rain poured over the city as Elena hurried down the empty street, clutching her handbag against her chest. She glanced over her shoulder. A black car had been following her for almost ten minutes. She walked faster. The car followed. Her heart began to pound. "Don't panic, Elena." She turned into a smaller street, hoping to lose them. Instead, the black car stopped. Two men stepped out. Elena froze. One of them called her name. "Elena Cross." Her blood ran cold. She had never seen them before. "Who are you?" Neither man answered. One reached inside his coat. Elena ran. She didn't know where she was going. She only knew she had to get away. Her footsteps echoed through the narrow street. Then another car appeared ahead. Elena stopped suddenly. A tall man stepped out. He wore a black suit, his expression cold and unreadable. Elena backed away. "Please..." The man looked at her. Then he looked at the two men behind her. "Leave." His voice was quiet. But somehow, it sounded like an order. The two men hesitated. Then one of them whispered, "Dante Romano." Elena's eyes widened. She had heard that name. Everyone had. Dante Romano was one of the most powerful men in the city's underground world. And now he was standing directly in front of her. Dante looked at Elena's face for a long moment. Then his eyes fell on the silver pendant around her neck. His expression changed. "Where did you get that?" Elena immediately covered it with her hand. "My mother gave it to me." Dante stepped closer. "What was her name?" Elena swallowed. "Isabelle." Dante went completely still. For the first time, the coldness disappeared from his face. "Isabelle Cross?" Elena stared at him. "You know my mother?" Before Dante could answer, another vehicle approached. His expression hardened. "Get in the car." "Why?" "Because whoever sent those men has just sent more." Elena looked behind her. Three more cars were entering the street. Her fear returned. She looked at Dante. "Why are you helping me?" He opened the car door. "I'm not." Elena frowned. "Then what are you doing?" Dante looked directly into her eyes. "I'm finding out why the woman I thought was dead has a daughter." Elena's heart stopped. Her mother was supposed to be dead. So why did Dante Romano know her name? And why did he look afraid when he heard it? She stepped into the car. She didn't know it yet... but that decision would change her life forever. And before the night was over, Elena would discover that the people hunting her were not strangers. They were connected to her family. End of Part 1