LOVE, LIES, & THE MAFIA:FLETCHER-EAST CHRONICLES

THE PHONE CALL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Arianna Fletcher's iPhone buzzed violently against the marble nightstand. Bleary-eyed, she grabbed it, expecting another business email. Instead, an unknown number flashed with a Harlem area code.

*"Answer it,"* a voice in her head whispered.

She swiped right.

*"Ari, it's me."* Dave's voice was ragged, like he'd been running. *"Listen-I fucked up. They're coming. You gotta get out."*

Arianna sat up, heart pounding. *"Who's coming? Dave, what the hell did you do?"*

A gunshot exploded through the phone.

Then silence.