Page 3 of Until You Break
I stared at it a second. My thumb hovered.
Emilio: Yeah. Just a drop. I’ll be back soon.
I sent it, but the words felt thin, something I said for myself more than him. Enzo didn’t text unless he was worried. I should’ve said more. Or nothing.
Dino’s gaze shifted toward the dark beyond the lights. His smirk returned, sharp this time. “They’re coming for you,” he said quietly.
I frowned. “Who?”
A sound ripped through the air. Not thunder. Closer. Final.
Behind me, Dino moved, but he was too late.
Floodlights blinked out. Darkness poured in fast, thick and heavy.
The air changed again, colder now, tight with the sound of footsteps. Too many. Too steady.
“Who?” I called again, though I already knew.
This wasn’t chaos. It was precision.
So I ran.
I didn’t think. Didn’t look back. The box hit the ground and split open behind me. My shoes pounded the pavement, lungs burning, eyes searching for a light, an exit, anything.
Hands caught me.
“Dino!” I yelled. “Where are you? Help me!”
But he wasn’t there.
I slipped on oil, hit the ground hard. The breath slammed out of me. Pain shot up my spine like a fuse catching flame.
That second was all they needed.
They swarmed me. One grabbed my shoulder, rough and fast, another hit low, knocking out my balance.
I twisted, elbowing one in the ribs. Bit another’s hand until I tasted blood, metal and heat. He shouted and jerked back. A fist hit my side. I swung again, catching skin, maybe flesh.
They weren’t ready for someone who fought back.
My knuckles split, blood slicking my palms. Pain lit through me, but it meant I was still mine.
I wanted to leave a mark.
Not just bruises, but proof. Something Papà would have to see.
But I was outnumbered.
They pinned me. Slammed me down.
“Make it quick before he gets loose again,” someone said.
A gloved hand fisted my hoodie, yanking me back. My skull cracked against the ground. A punch caught my temple. My vision swam.
My knee was pinned. My arm twisted. The pain went white, then cold. I couldn’t breathe.
That’s when I saw him. Dino. My guard. Standing still. Unmarked. Watching.
