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I didn’t know how this had happened. Security was tight…we should have known…
We should have known, and we’d been fools to think Vito would let us do this.
Skylar's eyes met mine over Sebastian's head, conveying a silent message. We needed to get him out of there. I nodded in agreement as he turned to scan our surroundings.
"Justice," he said urgently, catching my attention. "There's a back exit. We can sneak him out and get him somewhere safe."
I looked down at Sebastian. He was only about to turn three years old; too young to be caught up in this bullshit.
"I agree," I said, my voice barely audible over the chaos. "Let's get him out of here. Bash coming in hot behind me."
Skylar shook his head. "Don't think so, pet," he said.
"Wha—?" I started to ask when I caught sight of Bash's figure through the crowd, his imposing form making a beeline for Vito De Luca. I felt my heart freeze.
"Zane and I will back you up. Bash is dealing with Vito."
"I'll go with you," Hassan said.
My blood ran ice cold at his words. I could handle many things, but the thought of Bash being in danger was not one of them. But right now, Sebastian was our priority. I hid my fear behind a determined nod. "You keep your eyes closed, amor. Let's move."
With that, we crawled out from under the safety of the table, Hassan and Skylar moving in unison to shield us. Zane lingered back, his eyes locked on Bash's figure cutting through the chaos of the crowd.
"Keep him close," Hassan murmured to me as he rose to his full height to provide additional cover. I clutched Sebastian tighter, nodding at him. Hassan never took his gaze off of the crowd, every muscle in his body coiled and ready to attack.
Skylar led us through the pandemonium, a forceful determination hardening his usually playful features. "It's going to be okay," he reassured me over his shoulder, offering me a strained smile.
I nodded, even though fear was gnawing at my insides—fear for Sebastian, for Bash, for all of us. I watched Skylar's back as we moved.
He seemed larger, taller, stronger than ever before. His muscles rippled under his shirt as he shoved guests aside, clearing us a path through the chaos. I realized then, in the midst of all this madness, how much I loved this man. Not just Skylar but Bash and Zane too. And Hassan…sweet, scarred Hassan who was willing to put his life on the line to protect Sebastian and me.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash and a gunshot rang out. Shouts echoed around us as the crowd scattered even more frantically, panic raising the volume of their screams. A bullet hit the floor inches from my foot. I gasped, my heart hammering so hard it felt like it could break through my chest any second.
“Down!” Skylar barked over his shoulder, roughly pushing me to the ground and throwing himself over Sebastian and me.
His body, warm and solid, became our shield. The scent of his cologne mixed with the musk of adrenaline and danger filled my nostrils. His quick, shallow breaths seemed to match the frantic pace of my own heart.
“Everyone okay?” Zane’s calm voice cut through the storm of panic, as he knelt down on the other side of us. His cold eyes scanned the area in search for any immediate threat.
“Yeah,” I gasped out in response as I cradled Sebastian tighter against me. His little body was trembling beneath mine, his whimpers muffled against my chest as I tried to shield him from the terror around us.
Another gunshot rang out, closer this time, followed by a scream. Instinctively, I tightened my hold on Sebastian while Skylar pressed himself even more protectively over us.
"Stay down," Hassan's harsh whisper echoed in my ear as he moved closer.
I nodded, my pulse pounding in my ears as we crouched there. Fear surged through me with every passing second, but I couldn't afford to break down now. Sebastian needed me.
"Are you okay?" Skylar's voice was soft against my ear, his breath warm on my hair.
Pulling in a shaky breath, I managed to nod, forcing out an unsteady "Yeah."
His hand squeezed mine briefly before he straightened up again, putting himself back between us and the danger.
Zane moved too, his quiet strength a welcome presence even in the chaos. Hassan remained close, his eyes constantly scanning our surroundings. Skylar, Hassan and Zane had their guns at the ready.
Despite the sharp bursts of gunfire, they seemed eerily calm—the kind of calm you have when you've been pushed to the edge and there's nowhere to go but through.
"We can't stay here. Gotta move," Zane said almost inaudibly, his gaze never leaving the chaos around us. "There's an exit to the left, clear path."
