“Mr. Marino.” One of the soldiers rushed toward Devil with a phone outstretched. “The boss wants to speak to you.”
Devil collected the phone as a set of soldiers came around us.
I rechecked my gun while surveying our area, watching our right as the cars neared.
“We have to move,” I said, not listening to what Devil was saying to Elio on the phone as we started rushing toward the tree, at almost the same time the people on the motorcycles opened fire.
Loud bangs were coming from everywhere around me.
But we were well covered against the shooting happening around us. I could feel a strange kind of heat that rocked the severity of our situation straight to my head.
“Hey, he wants to talk to you,” Devil said, handing the phone over to me as he got his gun out.
Collecting the phone, I pressed it against my ear, turning off the comm while letting my gaze settle on the woods and bushes behind the tree, spotting movements. “Now’s not a great time, Elio.”
“I am aware. I can practically hear it,”he spoke.“The gold and the flash drives are kept in different locations. I just arrived at the hotel where we’ll meet.”He sounded so calm, like his brother and I weren’t currently being shot at or surrounded by people who wanted what we were going for.
“How do you know they’re in different locations?”
It was quiet for a second too long before he responded.
“Intel. It is in the same building, but the flash drives are kept in a safe.”
“Building? All I see is a fucking tree, Elio.”
“Yes, but there is an installed lock system by the side of the tree; Upper and Milk will give you the code to open the underground building. If I am correct, you are currently walking or running—based on your breathing—on top of the gold.”
“Isn’t that just awesome?”
“Do not panic. Casmiro has sent more arms your way; this mission is ours to win. All you have to do is keep calm and ignore the other people trying to get there before you. Remember, you’re ahead.”
“Really loving this pep talk, right now of all times,” I said as we reached the tree, and I spotted the installed lock system while Devil and Dog hurriedly communicated with Upper and Milk to get it open. “How does it feel sitting peacefully in an expensive hotel room while your girlfriend is one bullet away from being killed?”
“You insisted you wanted to find the gold with your team, remember? You like to hustle for what you want. Besides, I have something important to oversee, and I trust you not to die. My trust aside, I paid you one hundred million dollars. The money was not free, querida.”
“Fuck you, seriously, fuck you.”
My heart was thumping so loud as I joined the men in covering Dog and Devil, one hand holding on to the gun as I fished for targets, getting too close to where we stood. My other hand was holding firmly on to the phone.
“Zahra,”Elio called.
“I’m here,” I said, my gaze shifting slightly to the woods again, lingering as I listened to Elio.
“Do you want me there?”
“No,” I said. “I’ve got it.”
“All right. I need you to get those flash drives yourself. Elia, Dog, and my men should be able to handle the gold perfectly.”
I paused, dropping my brows down in a frown. “Why do you need me to get them?”
Another second too long of silence.
“Like I told you, the flash drives are kept in a safe. Only I know the password to open this safe. That was Arturo’s favor to me, for petting his Chihuahua and not running from it. I will never understand his logic.”
“Me neither.”
“I can only trust you with this information.”
