But there was no safety here. The forest around them was alive with the echoing crack and thud of bullets.
“How do we get him out of here?” Nikki asked. Federico shook his head, then leaned over and slapped Valerio’s cheek.
“Valerio,” he said. “You gotta wake up. Wake up, Capo.”
Valerio’s eyelids rolled up.
“Can you stand?” Nikki asked. “We can put you between us if you can stand.”
He nodded.
But he grimaced when they touched him. Gingerly, they sat him upright and leaned him against the wall. His body lolled.
“Fuck,” Nikki said.
She turned to Federico. “What if I get one of those SUVs? I can probably drive it through here. I stole their keys—one of them has to work.”
He shook his head. “You’ll never make it. We should hide…wait it out.”
“He won’t last,” said Nikki. “He needs help now.”
She pressed the gun into Federico’s hand.
“Protect yourself,” she said. “Protect him.”
“What about you?”
“It’s too big. I can’t handle it properly. Besides, I need speed, not firepower.”
—
Nikki’s body moved automatically, numbly crashing through the undergrowth, every instinct shouting for her to turn back as she raced towards the sounds of the fight. She smelled smoke and, through the trees, saw that the house was burning, orange and yellow flames licking out of the windows. Shadowy figures chased in the dark, men shouted, hot streaks of bullets pulsed through the air.
Keeping low, trying to stay out of sight, she shoved her hand into her bag and grabbed one of the key fobs, pressing at the buttons.
In the courtyard, the lights of an SUV flashed. Without breaking stride, she headed for it, opened the door, dove inside, and hit the ignition. Shifting into gear, she stomped the accelerator. The heavy vehicle shot back, into the fight. Racing away, towards the billowing flames of the burning house, she was chased by strafing bullets tearing into metal and shattering glass. At the last moment, she veered left, around the western side of the building, and into the trees.
The path was narrow, and Nikki had to slow and maneuver, bumping and scraping across the uneven ground. The rugged SUV handled the bushes and small trees—but the path narrowed and, at last, she could go no farther.
Switching off the engine, but leaving the headlights to mark the way, she raced down the path.
She was relieved to find Federico and Valerio where she’d left them, starkly illuminated by the headlamps.
Federico slapped Valerio’s face. “Wake up. She’s back. Wake up, Capo. Don’t you dare leave, you fucker.”
Federico struggled to his feet, and tucked the gun behind him, into his waistband. Then he bent and gripped Valerio with both hands in one of his armpits. Nikki squatted on the other side of Valerio and slid her shoulder beneath his arm.
“On three!” she said. Federico nodded. They counted and heaved Valerio to his feet.
It was clear Valerio was trying to help, but his muscles were loose. His right leg was no good and his left was weak, stumbling, unable to support his weight for longer than a beat.
He was in obvious pain, yet didn’t make a sound as Nikki and Federico struggled to move him the ten meters to the rear of the SUV.
At last, they opened the tail door, and helped him climb in. Valerio accommodated the effort, tipping and rolling, until he lay flat, chest heaving. He gave a thumbs-up.
Nikki breathed more easily now. They’d solved one problem. Now, they just needed to get the fuck out of here. She was about to step back and close the door when she heard someone speak.
“I’m taking that,” said a man’s voice. “Step away from the vehicle and give me the key.”
