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We circle the island, Dimitri’s eyes scanning the water every few seconds as we do. Stopping at the boat dock, he confers with the two men at the guard station, neither of which I recognize. They’re far enough away I can’t hear what they’re saying, but close enough that I can make out their facial expressions. And all of them seem concerned by the boat getting closer and closer to the island by the second.
I wait off to the side, not missing the way all three men continue to look back in my direction. I’m not sure if they’re curious or trying to make sure I stay put as I was told, but either way, I don’t like it. Something feels off.
As the boat closes in on the dock, all three men draw their guns but immediately lower them when Mateo’s face comes into view.
“Boss!” Dimitri takes off down the dock, the other two men fast on his heels.
I have no idea what’s going on or why Mateo is back so soon, but as the men help him from the boat, I don’t miss the red staining the front of his white button-down shirt.
Before I know it, my feet are moving me toward him, fear pounding through me.
Is he hurt? Is he shot?
I try to make an assessment, but his men are flanking him on all sides and I can’t get a clear view.
Dimitri hops into the boat Mateo just climbed out of. He dips down, calling for the other men to help him.
I watch as the three of them work together to lift something from the boat, but it isn’t until I see the blood covered body that it hits me.
Niko...
He’s not conscious. Hell, for all I know he’s dead.
I watch the men hoist him up, Mateo grabbing him under the armpits as they drag his limp body onto the dock.
Kneeling down next to him, he says something to Niko, who gurgles out a response.
He’s alive... And for some reason I’m flooded with relief. Why? I have no idea. Maybe because I’m not a heartless monster.
“Mila!” I jump at the sound of my name, my eyes swinging up to meet Mateo’s. “Go to the house. Find Norma. Tell her to prep the table. She’ll know what that means.”
I nod once before I’m sprinting back up the dock and down the beach toward the house. Shoving the front door open, it swings with so much force it hits the wall behind it. I don’t bother closing it as I make my way through the maze of hallways that lead to the kitchen.
I’m still not great with the layout, so I end up taking two wrong turns before I find her standing behind the sink, humming as she washes dishes.
“Norma!” My panicked voice causes her to jump and turn in my direction. “Niko... He’s hurt. Mateo said to prepare the table.”
With a stiff nod, she immediately gets to work, clearing the island as quickly as she can.
“Out that door, to the right, there’s a closet. Get me as many towels as you can carry.”
I do as she says, returning right as Mateo, Dimitri, and one of the guards from the dock enter the room carrying Niko, who grunts when they deposit him on top of the island.
“What happened?” I ask to no one in particular, not surprised when I don’t get an answer.
“Mila, can you help me?”
I squeeze past Dimitri and step up to the island on the opposite side of Norma. My attention is drawn to the man lying in front of me. His shirt is blood soaked. His skin pale. His lips the eeriest shade of blue I’ve ever seen.
“Mila!” I jump at the sound of my name, my focus shifting to Norma. “Can you do this?” She’s not asking if I will, she’s asking if I can. As in, can I handle this?
I give her a stiff nod.
“I’m going to cut his shirt off. I need you to use the towels to put pressure on any open wounds you see.”
I nod again, a slight shake to my hands.
“What the hell happened?” Dimitri asks from behind me.
