Shit.
I swallow hard, then press the oxygen mask back over his mouth.
“You’re running low on oxygen,” I murmur. “Can’t afford to lose more brain cells.”
The paramedics in the back are still clambering around, fumbling with equipment—too much movement, too much distraction.
Something’s wrong.
Angelo catches my eye. A silent warning. I click my seatbelt just as the impact slams into us.
Metal shrieks, the force of the hit ripping through the ambulance. The world tilts.
Angelo’s hand locks around mine, a vise grip even as his body thrashes against the restraints.
Focus on him. Focus on him.
But the ambulance rolls—hard.
The violent jolt slams my head into something solid.
Pain. White-hot.
Then—darkness.
“Topolina,”a soft voice says.
It can’t reach me. I’m floating in black water, feeling good. It’s like getting a full body massage. Some annoying, cold threat creeps up the back of my neck, and then my lips buzz, being tickled by something.
“Little mouse, if you don’t wake up, I’ll have to strip you myself and-”
My eyes snap open. Instinct kicks in. I swing. Angelo catches my fist, laughterrumbling from his chest. Smug bastard. He kisses my forehead. “There you are.”
I blink, trying to force the world into focus.
The lighting is off—everything reddish, like we’re stuck inside a bad dream.
“The ambulance?” My voice is hoarse.
Angelo shakes his head. “No.”
He shifts, watching me too closely. “I slipped the handcuff they put on me. Thankfully, your gun was dry.” A smirk flickers at the edge of his mouth. “I’m sure you’ll get a commendation for taking out some nasty mafia men.”
My stomach turns. “I… didn’t.”
The pieces don’t fit.
“Of course you did.” His voice steady, but there’s something off. Something calculated. “I wouldn’t kill my own family just to save an officer I hate. You pulled the trigger before I could do anything.”
My pulse stutters. No. That’s not right.
But before I can push through the fog in my head, he keeps going—relaxed, steady, like he’s already rewritten the story.
“Eric found us. He’s putting us both in witness protection until my trial… or until I agree to help the police.”
I try to sit up, but the world tilts, my skull splitting open with pain. Every sound warps, echoing in waves, crashing over my mind until I miss unconsciousness.
“She needs a hospital,” Angelo snarls.
