Dominic’s stance doesn’t waver. “Funny, I was about to say the same thing.”
“Two against one? I like those odds.” Bruno smirks.
“You really want to die for her, Dominic?” Salvatore sneers.
Dominic doesn’t hesitate. “Try me.”
Nobody moves.
The air is thick with tension.
My mind races as I think of how to help Dominic.
Lucia and I are weaponless.
Dominic is good with a gun, but even if he hits one, the other will do him in.
It’s then that I notice a tall stack of crates next to us.
I take a slight step to the side.
“I would think if you wanted me dead, I’d already be dead,” I lock eyes with Salvatore.
Salvatore snarls. “Don’t tempt me, Farfalla. You’re a fool to think everyone is going to get out of here alive.”
“I guess, I’m a dreamer then. Dominic move!” I lunge sideways and place my hands on the back of the crates. I push with all my might.
The crates teeter for half a second, then come crashing down with a loud boom.
Dust explodes into the air along with the echo of wood splintering as the crates slam into Bruno, Salvatore, and Dominic.
I grab Lucia and duck as the first shot cracks through the factory.
I don’t know who fired it or where it came from.
“The door is over there,” Lucia coughs.
“Dominic!” I yell.
“I’m okay, get out now!” Dominic appears from behind a broken crate.
I scramble to my feet, adrenaline racing through me.
“That’s what you think!” Bruno yells, getting up with his gun raised. Dominic fires, forcing Bruno to duck behind another stack of crates.
“Fuck!” Salvatore returns fire before diving for cover.
“Go, go, go!” Dominic comes around the side of the crates shooting in the direction where Salvatore and Bruno are hidden.
I grab Lucia’s hand, yanking her toward the stairwell door.
Dominic covers us with quick bursts of gunfire that keep Sal and Bruno pinned behind the wreckage.
My lungs burn as we tear down the narrow metal stairs.
Our boots clang against the grating.
Shouts explode behind us followed by heavy angry footsteps.
