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“What are you going to do?”
“Hunt them down.”
“In the dark?”
He tilted his chin toward his rifle on the ground. “Night vision scope. Andiamo. Out the front door, principe.”
I could see why he’d made such a good soldier. He was calm and cool, in complete control. If I weren’t so distracted by impending danger, I might’ve been impressed.
I gathered the guns and more bullets. “I’m ready.”
Alessio went first. When I followed, we stayed close to the edge of the house as we went around it. He moved methodically, making no sound. He’d taken off his jacket at some point. Now he wore dark jeans, a black shirt, and boots. “Stay low,” Alessio told me. “Go fast. I’ll watch out for you until you’re safely there.”
Lifting his rifle, he scanned the horizon through his scope. I didn’t hesitate. I hurried toward the sheep pen, slipping under the fence posts. The sheep were inside their enclosure, resting. I went in and got into position. The small window allowed me to see the hill where Alessio said he placed the traps. I had my pistol in my palm, ready to fire.
It could be an animal out there, of course. The island had a huge rabbit population. Eagles. Mice. If a bunny had set off one of Alessio’s traps, we would have a good chuckle over it later.
I watched but couldn’t see anything in the darkness. I couldn’t even see Alessio any longer. I had no idea where he went. The night was completely still. No movement, no more sound. The sheep were bleating, probably wondering what the hell I was doing out here.
I was beginning to wonder the same thing.
Eventually one of the sheep moved closer to rub against my leg, begging for attention. I absently scratched it behind the ears as I kept my focus on the darkness.
A pop sounded in the distance. A shot somewhere in the trees. Was that Alessio? Cazzo, I hated not being able to see him. Had he been shot?
If he died on this island . . . .
My heart started kicking harder. I had watched Paolo die. I didn’t want to see another man in my life, another lover, murdered. Even if Alessio and I were only temporary.
So, what was I doing about it? Hiding with the sheep?
No, absolutely fucking not.
Carefully, I eased away from the animals, trying not to scare any of them. I pressed tight to the wooden shed as I went around it.
The wind had picked up since nightfall, but I hardly felt the chill. I listened intently. Another pop, off in the trees to my left. I decided to go right and then double back.
Gun in hand, I hurried to the edge of the farm. There wasn’t much cover here, so I moved quickly and stayed low. With no moon, I hoped the darkness concealed me enough to reach the trees.
Then I heard a spray of shots, like from an assault rifle. Then three more pops sounded. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I started running, not caring if I was low enough or not. I had to get out there and help Alessio.
* * *
Alessio
There were six men converging on the farm. They were well armed, but not military. I knew because they were quiet, but not silent. You could always tell when an enemy had been trained in stealth tactics or not. These men, I could hear their gear, their clothing. The sound of their feet in the brush. They didn’t know how to move about undetected.
But me? No one would hear or see a trace.
At the moment I was hidden behind a fallen log, partially covered by the bramble. With my scope, I was staring right at the six shapes as they waited. After the bottles were overturned, they had paused, clearly hoping no one would come to investigate.
Thank God Giulio was tucked away, safe with the sheep. I wouldn’t be able to focus if I were worried about him out here. If one of the men somehow got by me, then he could take them out with his pistol.
I rubbed the cornicello around my neck for luck.
When enough time passed, the men began fanning out. They carried assault rifles, the kind you could buy on most street corners in the United States. A weapon meant for shock and awe. Not precision, like mine.
All I had to do was pick my moment.
