She hadn’t been trying to attack.
But now she knew that I would.
Something shatters in her expression before it goes icy cold. “You’re dead to me.” Carmen stares at me a moment longer before going to her father’s side.
Around us, people are still fighting, screaming, and yelling orders. I turn to Leon, where he’s half-propped himself up on the ground. I reach for him, and between us, we manage to get him to his feet.
“We need to go,” I say. “Can you walk?”
“Just go,” he hisses.
Leon’s weight sags heavily against me as I begin to drag him toward the exit. By the time I think of looking back over my shoulder, Carmen and Amos are nowhere to be found.
“I don’t think he hit anything important,” Leon grunts as we make it out into the fresh hair.
Blood soaks through his shirt, staining my hands as I clutch his side around the still-embedded knife anyway, trying to keep pressure on the wound. I try not to think about how labored his breathing is.
The chaos of the club fades into the background, replaced by the rhythmic pounding of my heart and the echo of Carmen’s words.
You’re dead to me.
Ahead of us are a group of men hurriedly shoving people into cars and barking orders. Thankfully, they notice us quickly.
“What the hell happened to you two?” Teo shouts.
Dante leans heavily against Teo, his own face pale and streaked with blood. There’s another man a few steps behind, clutching his arm where a makeshift bandage is wrapped around his arm.
Leon stirs at my side. “Amos. He thought we were kidnapping Carmen. He had Mia.”
“But I got away,” I finish for him. “Teo, he needs medical attention.”
Before Teo can answer, Leon lets out an indignant, “I’m fine.”
The man behind Teo chucks me a set of car keys. “Mia, get him in the car and go.”
“Stay out of this, Max,” Leon barks.
“With all due respect, no,” Max counters firmly. “It’s my fault she got caught. Now, both of you need to get out of here.”
Leon grunts, trying to push himself upright. “I can fight,” he insists, but the tremor in his voice betrays him.
“Shut up,” I hiss. “You can barely stand.”
“Exactly. You’ve done enough tonight. We’re not discussing this,” Teo says with all the authority of a don.
I nod, pulling Leon toward the waiting car before he can attempt another protest. Max helps me get him into the passenger seat, his head lolling back as he lets out a ragged breath. His face is pale, his shirt soaked with crimson.
“You’re going to be fine,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady as I buckle him in.
“Mia,” he murmurs, his hand brushing mine. His touch is weak, but it’s enough to make my chest ache.
“Don’t talk,” I say, blinking back tears as I climb into the driver’s seat.
The car roars to life, and I floor the accelerator, tearing out onto the empty street. I keep one hand on the wheel and the other pressed against Leon’s side, praying the bleeding will slow.
“Hold on,” I whisper, more to myself than to him.
“Mia,” he says again, his voice barely audible.
