Page 89 of The Don's Soulmate

"Almost there," I shout, and Carlotta nods, her eyes wide with fear.

We reach the car in a matter of seconds, but it feels like an eternity. The door handle is cold beneath my fingers as I yank it open, practically shoving Carlotta inside before sliding into the driver's seat.

From behind, I hear men screaming at each other, warning that we’re escaping. I hear doors shut; engines roar - none of them ours.

I throw the car into reverse, tires screeching as we speed away from the cabin.

"Here they come!" Carlotta warns, looking back at the cars now chasing us.

"Put your seatbelt on." My voice is dark and commanding, and adrenaline courses through my veins. I slam my foot on the gas, and the car lunges forward with a growl, tearing down the winding road. The men are relentless, their pursuit fueled by my father's orders and determination not to fail him.

"Turn left here, Ettore!" Carlotta points out, her voice shaking but calm enough for me to understand her. I trust her instincts and take the sharp turn, pushing the car to its limits.

"Carlotta," I say between gritted teeth, "I need you to keep an eye on them. Tell me if they're gaining on us."

"Alright." She glances back, her green eyes narrowing with focus. "They're still behind us, but we have some distance."

"Good." I weave the car through the twisting, narrow roads, branches and leaves whipping past the windows.

"Take a right here," Carlotta instructs. "It's an old road, but it should lead us back to the main highway."

"Got it." I yank the wheel, and the car veers onto the path, gravel crunching beneath the tires. The men continue their pursuit, relentlessly as wolves on a hunt.

"Keep going, Ettore!" Carlotta's voice is urgent. We're losing them!"

The tires screech as I slam on the gas, and we shoot down the narrow road, with trees blurring at our sides.

“They’re gaining again,” she screams. My hands grip the wheel tightly, knuckles white from the pressure. Carlotta clings to her seat belt for dear life, her breaths coming in short, rapid gasps.

"Turn left up ahead!" she shouts over the roar of the engine. "It's even narrower, but it might help us lose them.”

I follow her instructions, making a sharp turn that sends gravel flying. The car's suspension groans in protest, but I don't have time to worry about that now. Our lives are at stake, and every second counts.

"Are they still behind us?" I ask, my voice tense and focused.

"Y-yes," Carlotta stammers, glancing back. "But they're further away now."

"Good." My foot presses harder on the pedal, willing the car to go faster.

We fly around another bend, and I narrowly avoid a crash with an oncoming truck. The driver honks angrily, but I can't afford to care about his rage. I've got people hunting me down like a wild animal.

"Keep going straight," Carlotta says, her voice trembling. "There's a bridge up ahead. If we make it there first, we might have a chance."

"Understood." I feel my heart thudding against my ribcage, adrenaline pumping through my veins like liquid fire. It's moments like these when I feel most alive – when the line between life and death is razor-thin and every decision could be my last.

As the bridge comes into sight, I push the car to its limits, the engine protesting in response. The pursuing vehicles are mere specks in the rearview mirror now, but I know better than to let my guard down.

"Almost there," I whisper, more to myself than to Carlotta.

We race onto the bridge, and I swerve suddenly, slamming on the brakes and sending dust and debris into the air. The men's vehicles skid to a stop, momentarily blinded by the cloud of dust.

"Go! Go!" Carlotta urges, her eyes wide with fear and determination.

I floor it once more, speeding off as the dust settles behind us. We've bought ourselves precious time. I take a few more turns before we realize that we’ve lost them.

I pull into a deserted alley, hidden from the main road, and cut the engine. We sit there for a moment, chest heaving, as we try to process the close call we just escaped from.

"Are you alright?" I ask Carlotta, my voice shaky.

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