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“Fuck.” Mateo runs a hand through his hair, weighing his options. “Mila.” He turns to me, his expression hard and unreadable. “I need you and Norma to go with Dimitri.” He turns back to Dimitri. “Take them both to the basement. Barricade yourselves inside and do not under any circumstances come out until you get the all clear from me. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, boss.” He nods.
Mateo steps up, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I’m trusting you to keep them safe. No matter what the cost.”
“I won’t let you down.”
Dimitri quickly heads next door to get Norma.
I watch Mateo pull the gun out of the holster on his hip and check the clip before snapping it back into place.
“I didn’t want you here, little bird. But there’s nothing I can do about it now.” He re-holsters his gun, closing in on me. “I need you to do what I say this time. No questions asked. No funny shit. Go with Dimitri.” He tugs me against his chest.
Without a word, I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him tightly, breathing in the scent of his cologne. I can’t help but wonder if this will be the last time I’ll ever get to smell him again.
“Don’t die,” I tell him, releasing my hold on his neck before pushing up to press a brief kiss to his mouth.
“I’ll do my best.” He offers me a forced smile, then just like that, he’s gone.
Dimitri reappears seconds later, Norma in tow.
“Mila, now!” he screams when I don’t move right away.
I fumble, my feet forgetting how to work properly.
I take a deep breath, willing myself not to panic as I scurry from the room after Dimitri and Norma.
I hear gunshots and smell the obvious scent of sulfur when we reach the main floor.Bap. Bap. Bap. Bap.The shots go off in quick succession, no doubt from multiple guns. My heartrate spikes, kicking against my ribcage like a bull trying to buck off its rider.
By the time we reach the kitchen, we’re all running, desperate to escape the chaos ensuing outside. Men yell. More gunfire. Another loud explosion.
The location of this house is great if you’re trying to stay off the grid, but without a neighbor for miles my father’s men can use any means necessary to storm the grounds and there isn’t a soul around to hear the commotion.
Dimitri throws open the basement door, ushering me and Norma inside before pulling it closed. He slides a thick wood plank across the door before gesturing for me and Norma to keep going.
We fumble down the stairs in the dark. It’s not so dark you can’t see, but dark enough that you have to squint to make sure you’re not going to run into anything.
“Back there.” He points to another door in the far corner. Norma is the first to go in with me right behind her. Dimitri does a quick sweep of the room before sliding in with us, tugging the door shut and locking it.
There are no windows and no source of light, so the room is pitch black. I grab Norma’s hand, wrapping my fingers around hers.
I didn’t expect to be this scared. They’re here for me, yes. And they aren’t here to hurt me, they’re here to rescue me. Only it’s not me I’m afraid for. It’s Mateo.
Dimitri locates a string hanging from the ceiling and tugs it. Dim yellow light floods the dank, musty room that looks like it was used for storage by the previous owners. There are labeled tubs lining one wall and an old faded brown couch lining another.
With Norma’s hand still in mine, we cross the small room and take a seat.
While the noise is muffled down here, it’s still loud. I can hear every shot. Every explosion. Every time the sound hits my ears I tense, squeezing my eyes shut.
“It’s going to be okay,” Norma assures me, releasing my hand to wrap a gentle arm around my shoulders.
I wish I believed her.
“What’s happening up there?” I ask Dimitri who’s using a walkie talkie, trying to communicate with the men outside.
So far there’s been nothing but broken replies, the words too jumbled to make out what they’re saying and who’s saying them.
“I don’t know.” He paces the floor, the small black device gripped tightly in his hand. I’ve never seen Dimitri rattled before, and the fact that he is now scares me even more.
