Chapter Eleven
Alessandro
We have been running for almost 2 miles now, and I have never been so thankful for the Mariano’s expansive forest surrounding their home. If we would have had to run across an open lawn we would have been gunned down in an instant, the only reason neither of us were shot is because the assholes were shit shots. I am not ignorant enough to think that we are safe yet, but I know that they gave up on chasing us well over a mile and a half ago. I don’t care. I am not taking any chances.
Suddenly, I hear a thud come from behind me. I stop in my tracks and turn to see Seraphina on the ground cradling her foot.
“Get up!” I bark. “Do you want to die?”
My eyes quickly scan our surroundings, making sure once again that we are alone. We have to keep moving. We don’t have time for her theatrics.
“Fuck you!” She seethes. “Someassholemade me take my shoes off and then run through the forest barefoot for miles!”
My brows dip at her vicious tone before I glance down at her naked feet. I had been so wrapped up in getting away that I had forgotten I made her take off those ridiculous shoes as she climbed down the balcony before we took off running. She wouldn’t have been able to run 50 feet in those stilts anyways. I am more impressed than I would like to admit that she was able to keep up with me all this time with no shoes on though.
Pushing away any thought remotely resembling admiration, I roll my eyes as I walk over to her and effortlessly sling her over my shoulder before I take off running once again. It isn’t like she is that heavy anyways. She has lost weight over the years, a lot. Weight she didn’t have to lose. It used to drive me batshit crazy watching her pick at bullshit salads at every dinner…amongst other things.
I run for maybe another half a mile before my phone starts vibrating in my pocket. I let it go, since I seriously don’t have time to fucking talk. Some masked men came into the Mariano home and slaughtered well over a half a dozen men and I currently have the Mariano Princess slung over my shoulder. I don’t have the time or patience for anyone’s shit.
The vibrations end before they pick up again. I ignore it again, and then again and then again before I get pissed. I see a large boulder to the side that will provide decent cover in case there is anyone out there looking for us still while I deal with this persistent fuck. I drop Seraphina on her ass, carefully enough so that she doesn’t actually get hurt before I reach into my pocket and answer.
“WHAT!”
“What? What the fuck do you mean what?” My dad snaps. “What the fuck is going on? Where are you? Some fuckers came and tried to shoot up the plane while we were waiting for you guys. The pilot got spooked and took off and I can’t reach anyone.”
“That is because they are all dead,” I bark.
“Dead? What do you mean dead?”
“I mean, some fuckers with black masks came in and shot every fucking man dead.”
I hear hushed voices before someone grabs the phone.
“Alessandro,” The Boss growls. “Where is Seraphina? Is she…Did they…” He trails off.
My eyes flick down to the woman in question who is looking up at me anxiously. “She is with me. She is okay, well, considering.”
A hear a deep sigh of relief blow through the phone as I put the phone on speaker and hold it out to Seraphina.
“Daddy?” She trembles softly.
“Bambina. Stai bene?”
“I-I am okay. What about you and mom? The boys?”
“Sweetheart!” Aunt Ashlynn’s panicked voice sounds through the phone. “What is going on? Are you safe?” She shouts.
The Boss continues talking like his wife isn’t a hysterical mess right next to him.
“We are okay. Where are you? We need to get you guys out of there.”
“We are on the East end of your property. Should be about a quarter mile away from the gate,” I say.
Seraphina’s brows furrow as she looks up at me, but she doesn’t say anything.
“Good. Get out of New York. Go to the Airstrip at the Jacobson estate. He owes me a favor,” The Boss says as more whispers in the background sound through the phone. “Everything is going to be okay, Bambina. Alessandro will keep you safe.”
Her big emerald eyes meet mine for a few seconds before she speaks. “I know.”