Page 97 of Auctioned Innocence
She’s not just shooting—she’s thinking, picking her targets and making every bullet count.
A metallic clatter moves across the floor. Flash-bang.
I grab Sofia, shielding her with my body as the world explodes in white light and deafening noise.
The concussion hits like a physical blow, my ears ringing so loudly I can’t hear my own breathing.
My vision is nothing but white spots and shadows.
But Sofia isn’t moving.
She’s frozen, her weapon lowered, staring at the gunman with wide, unfocused eyes.
Her breathing has gone rapid and shallow—I recognize the signs.
Panic attack. Flashback.
The sound of automatic weapons, the feeling of being trapped and helpless—it’s all brought her back to that auction house.
“Sofia!” I shout, but she doesn’t respond.
She’s not here anymore.
She’s back on that platform, surrounded by men with guns, helpless and afraid.
The attacker’s finger tightens on the trigger.
I throw myself between them just as he fires, the bullet meant for Sofia’s head barely grazing my shoulder instead.
Pain explodes through my arm, but I’m already returning fire, putting two bullets through him.
He drops, but there are more coming.
“Sofia!” I grab her face with my good hand, forcing her to look at me. “Look at me! You’re not there anymore. You’re here. You’re safe. You’re with me.”
Well, safe-ish.
We are in the middle of a fight after all.
Her eyes gradually focus on mine, confusion and fear giving way to recognition. “Dante? I…the sound…I couldn’t…”
“I know.” I press my forehead against hers for just a second, feeling warm blood from my shoulder wound seeping through my shirt. “I know,principessa. But I need you here with me. Can you do that?”
She nods shakily, her training starting to override the trauma response. “I’m sorry, I?—”
“Don’t apologize,” I tell her firmly. “Just stay with me.”
Another burst of gunfire snaps us both back to the immediate threat.
Sofia’s eyes clear completely, her grip on her weapon steadying.
The soldier in her reasserting itself over the victim.
“Behind you!” Sofia shouts.
I spin, putting two bullets into an attacker trying to flank us through the bedroom.
He crashes into the doorframe, weapon clattering across the floor as blood sprays across the wall behind him.
