Page 244 of Massimo

“What about Lars?”

“The Swede? Haven’t seen him.”

“He’s supposedly good with a rifle.”

Zollner snorted. “If he thinks he can make the shot, he’s welcome to try.”

My mind raced frantically.

If somebody was going to run out into the courtyard – Massimo or one of his brothers –

I had to distract Zollner.

So I screamed at the top of my lungs with my best ear-piercing, blood-curdling shriek.

105

Massimo

“Wish me luck,” Adriano said.

“ADRIANO!” I yelled just as he bolted out into the open –

And a high-pitched scream from the bell tower pierced the air.

Lucia!

Adriano dove and rolled behind a bush.

CRACK!

A bullet missed him by inches and blasted up chunks of concrete from the sidewalk.

A second later, mercenaries began firing from the other side of the courtyard.

“Uh, guys – ?” Adriano said as he flattened himself on the ground.

“Lars!” I shouted.

“Not yet… not – YET – ”

106

Lucia

I heard the CRACK of the rifle over my scream.

“Gottverdammnt!” Zoller roared, the first time I had ever heard him angry. “AURELIO, SILENCE HER!”

Aurelio hit me across the face – hard.

Not a slap, but a punch with his fist.

My head snapped to the side and I quit screaming, momentarily dazed.

Then I heard the dreaded sound.

Clack-clack –

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