In the opposite lane, a steady stream of northbound cars sped past us. Renzo waited for a break in traffic.
“We should think about this,” I told Dario.
“There’s nothing to think about,” he said angrily. “We left my wife back there to lure them away. They didn’t follow us, sowe’re going back.”
“Niccolo will killme if I take you back there.”
“AndI’llkill you if youdon’t,”Dario snapped.
I thought about making a joke –You could TRY –but now wasn’t the time.
He was frightened for Alessandra. She was all that mattered to him.
The light was still green, and Renzo was still waiting for an opening.
I turned back to look through the rear window.
Still no sign of the SUVs.
Goddammit –
Why didn’t they follow us?!
“Let Renzo dropmeoff at the hospital,” I said as I turned around. “That way we can – ”
I didn’t have time to finish my sentence.
A black Cadillac SUV in the opposite lane of traffic entered the intersection goingfast–
And acceleratedHARDas it swerved towards us.
“LOOK OUT!” I screamed at Renzo.
He didn’t have time to react.
The SUV hit us head-on, caving in the front of the car on the driver’s side.
My head slammed into the seat in front of me, temporarily stunning me.
The Mercedes was rammed backwards into southbound traffic –
And we were hit again nearly as hard from the rear.
Dario was thrown against me as the sound of crashing metal filled the air.
My ears were ringing as I tried to clear my head.
How did the Camorra come from the OPPOSITE direction of the hospital?!
The Mercedes came to a halt, though the world still felt like it was spinning.
I looked over at Dario. He looked stunned.
“You alright?” I asked –
And realized I was yelling over the ringing in my ears.
Dario nodded, his face still blank with shock.
