“I’m on my way.”
When the door jerks open, I instinctively recoil, sure that one of Maksim’s men is about to kill me. Relief floods me when I see Christian.
“Come on. We’ve got to run.” Cristian drags me across the seat, shielding me with his body as bullets pepper the car. I hyperventilate as fear grips me.
More glass shatters.
"Run!" Cristian shoves me toward the wooded area of the park. My legs tangle beneath me as we hit the pavement. Another shot rings out, pinging off the door frame inches from my head.
Cristian's arm clamps around my waist as he half-drags, half-carries me toward the tree line.
My heels catch on uneven ground, but I’m not going to be the reason we die.
So I do my best to put one foot in front of the other.
“Where’s Carlo?” I ask as I keep moving.
“Dead. Don't look back," he orders, but I can't help myself.
Two of Maksim's men round the car, weapons raised.
I whip my head forward, focusing on the tree line.I won’t die hereruns like a mantra in my mind.
We reach the edge of the park, plunging into dense foliage.
Branches slap my face and snag my clothing as we crash through.
Behind us, shouting voices grow louder.
They're following our trail.
"Deeper," Cristian pants, dragging me forward. "We need cover."
My lungs burn. My feet are killing me. Every nerve ending screams with fear as we push farther into the darkening woods.
"What will he do?" I gasp between breaths. Surely, Maksim won’t kill me. But he will kill Cristian. He’ll kidnap me. Torture me. Then kill me. I’d rather die here and now.
Cristian doesn't answer, just pulls me onward.
A flashlight beam sweeps across the area, followed by gunfire. I hear it whiz past me. I scream and stumble.
“Fuck, are you hit?” Cristian drags me behind a tree and fires off shots toward our pursuers.
“No… I’m sorry… I’m just scared and?—”
He grips me, his eyes intense as they look down on me. “As long as I’m alive, I won’t let them get you.” He nods like he’s willing me to believe him. And I do believe him, but he’s not invincible. He’s my only hope.
I nod back. We’re either going to escape or die together.
16
CRISTIAN
I press my body against Valentina, feeling her heart race from fear.
The beam of light sweeps past our hiding place again, lingering just long enough to nearly break and fire toward them. But that would reveal our location.
I hold and protect Valentina as I listen to footsteps come close. I slowly bend down, my hand on the ground looking for something to throw.
