Page 98 of Daddy's Obsession


Font Size:  

“There’s an old, abandoned warehouse,” Dad screams into the phone. “We’re pinned down. Hurry!”

He quickly rolls out of the way and helps me overturn the workstation. We hide behind it, staying as low to the ground as possible. I can’t help but flinch every time another shot goes off, thetwangof metal and the smell of gunpowder filling me with dread. We’re sitting ducks with no way to fight back.

Lucius, meanwhile, is still out cold on the ground, bullets narrowly whizzing past his head. All it’ll take is one lucky shot, and it’ll be lights out forever. As much as I hate the man with every fiber of my being, even I know that’s a shitty way to die.

Dad grabs my hand and shakes his head. He knows what I’m about to do before I’ve even made up my mind. “Leave him, Rocky. He doesn’t deserve your mercy. You’ll only put yourself in the line of fire!”

There’s no time to think. Logic has left the building.

I pull away from Dad and make a dive toward Lucius. He groans, just barely cogent as I drag his heavy body toward the upended workstation. I’m panting, the exertion working to heighten my already accelerated pulse.

“You owe me big,” I growl at Lucius’ unconscious face.

We’re still under heavy fire. The onslaught is never-ending. Just when I think our enemies are about out of bullets, they reload and start firing again. I was never a betting woman, but I’d bet a pretty penny that these people are here to collect on behalf of Van Straus.

“We can’t stay here!” I shout over the shower of lead bullets. “There has to be a way out!”

“I’m thinking!” Dad shouts back, grinding his teeth as he takes in our surroundings.

There’s no back exit, no windows to jump out of. The only way out of the building is through the front doors, but that leads directly to our assailants.

“Get the fuck out here, Gabriel!” someone shouts.

Dad’s ears perk up, his brows knitting together into a steep frown. “Is that Favreaux? What’s he doing here?”

I shake my head. “No time to explain!”

Above us, the thunderous clap and fizzle of fireworks. We’re getting closer and closer to midnight, the streets crowded with partygoers. It’s no wonder the police haven’t arrived, and the gunshots haven’t been reported. Nobody can hear over the cacophony of New Year’s celebrations.

Reinforcements aren’t coming.

We’re on our own.

We’re bogged down, unable to advance and unable to retreat. The rattle of gunfire vibrates through my bones, numbness spreading from the top of my head to the tips of my fingers and toes. I have no more tricks up my sleeve, no more options to explore. I feel hopeless.

My hand drifts down to my belly, tears stinging my eyes. I don’t even care if anything happens to me. I’m not angry or scared for myself, but Iamafraid for my baby. They deserve a chance of life, but because the world is cruel and I’ve managed to piss off the wrong people, I might never get the chance to meet them.

Nothing brings more anguish at the thought of never getting to hold them. Savoring the sound of their first laugh, getting to see their very first smile. Teaching them their first words, their first steps, their first everything. If we don’t find a way out of this mess, my child will never get to live and learn and grow. They’ll never get the chance to meet Gabriel.

Gabriel.

I hope he’s okay. I pray he managed to save Odette.

Just when I’m convinced all is lost, the ruckus outside grows even louder, more chaotic. Our attackers are no longer concerned with filling us full of holes. They stop firing at us and turn, shooting at some unknown enemy I cannot see.

I don’t question it. We’ve been granted a miracle, a moment to breathe. If ever there was a perfect time to haul ass, this is it.

“Move!” I shout at Dad.

He picks up Lucius and throws him over his shoulders in a fireman carry as we rush toward the sliding doors of the warehouse. We press ourselves against the wall and sneak a peek around the corner.

“What’s going on?” Dad asks, a shout-whisper.

“I have no idea.”

Men scream and groan as they lay dying. It makes me wonder if this is a case of friendly fire, or maybe they’ve crossed paths with another group hoping to claim Van Straus’ bounty as their own. It’s a clusterfuck. I don’t have time to think about it. My whole body lurches forward, my only instinct is to run.

It’s a bloodbath. A disorienting orchestra of gunshots and fireworks and angry shouting. In the distance, I can see the Eiffel Tower up in lights, beautiful colored sparks illuminating the night sky. It’s such a pity I’m too busy trying to find cover to take in the beauty of the festivities.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
Articles you may like