Page 78 of The One
I must keep her safe!
Police sirens wail in the distance, growing louder. We need to be gone before they show up. If they catch us in the middle of this, we’re screwed in more ways than one.
“I’ll open the door and flatten the passenger seat. You slide in, get to the back, and lay low. I’ll get us out of here.”
Mariella’s entire body is trembling, her face as pale as a ghost. She glances between me and the car, her eyes wide with fear. For a second, I’m not sure she’ll move.
I take her face in my hands, forcing her to focus on me. “Iwillget us out of this. Trust me.”
Her scared eyes lock onto mine, and despite the terror swirling within them, there’s a flicker of resolve that ignites a spark in my chest.
“I do trust you,” she replies, her voice stronger than even a minute ago.
“On the count of three.” I hold her gaze, willing her to stay with me. “One, two, three.”
I fling the door open, adrenaline pumping hard as I flatten the passenger seat.
“Get in!” I shout, urgently.
Mariella doesn’t hesitate. She scrambles into the car, her movements frantic but determined. I slide over the center console and into the driver’s seat, slamming the door shut just as another round of gunfire erupts.
The bullets keep coming, but the Ferrari’s bulletproofing holds up, buying us precious seconds. I’ve never been more grateful for that and the fact that all our vehicles are fitted with bullet-resistant tires, because without them, we wouldn’t be going anywhere.
I steal a glance over my shoulder. Mariella is curled up in the backseat, her body tense, eyes wide. Her breath comes in quick, uneven bursts. She’s terrified but holding on.
“Stay down!” I bark over the deafening noise, pushing the start button. The engine roars to life, a sweet, defiant sound in the midst of this chaos. I grip the wheel, eyes locked forward, adrenaline flooding my veins.
I slam my foot on the gas, and the Ferrari lurches forward as we speed away. The car creates distance in seconds, but the threat is far from over. A flash of movement in the rearview mirror catches my eye.
“They’re following us!” I growl, whipping the car into another sharp turn, my pulse racing as I push the limits of the vehicle, trying to shake our pursuers.
I press a button on the control panel, and the sound of a phone ringing fills the cabin.
“We’re almost there. I’ve got you on my screen. How many?” Romeo’s voice comes through the speakers as soon as the call connects.
“Three cars hot on my ass,” I reply, checking the rearview mirror.
“Copy that. Drive toward the freeway,” he instructs, his tone steady despite the urgency.
With a sharp turn of the wheel, I whip the car into a wild swerve, narrowly avoiding a parked vehicle as the Ferrari responds with the precision of a predator.
I do love this car!
The tires screech, and I feel the cornering g-forces as we barrel down the street.
I spot the ramp to the freeway and gun it, merging onto the autostrada. The three pursuing cars are still on our tail, but at least we’ve put some distance between us.
A sliver of relief washes over me, but still my foot presses harder on the gas. The Ferrari surges forward, letting me fully open up the throttle.
At the next freeway entry, I spot our backup vehicles waiting. I slow down just enough for the three cars to slip into position, surrounding the Ferrari for protection. My phone rings, and I press the button on the steering wheel to answer.
“You’re good now. I merged in behind the assholes trailing you. Salvatore and I will take care of them,” Romeo says over the speaker.
“Bring them in alive if you can. I need answers.”
“Understood,” he replies and hangs up.
If Mariella wasn’t with me, I’d be out there hunting them down myself. But right now, she’s my priority. Getting her home safely is all that matters.
