Page 69 of Merciless Oath

Another scream and we pick up our pace.

“It’s coming from the boat,” I gasp, struggling to keep up with his long legs and athletic body. “It’s Matilda.”

We reach the boat in seconds, and he pauses, glancing down at me. I nod, ready to go. I don’t care what happens from now on—I need to find my baby.

“There’s no time to wait,” he says sadly as another scream floats toward us from the yacht. “Fuck.”

He grabs my hand tight, throwing one last glance over his shoulder at the parking lot, and pulls me up onto the plank with him.

We jump onto the boat, guns drawn and ready. I fly toward the cabin door, but Enzo grabs me by the jacket and hauls me back to him.

“Lenny,” he scolds. “We stay together, got it?”

I nod, tears already forming in the corners of my eyes. I’m trying to follow his lead, but he’s too slow, too intentional. I’m ready to run in there, guns blazing, and shoot anyone who stands between me and Matilda.

Suddenly, the floor lurches under us, and I stumble, falling into Enzo.

All the lights turn off, and we’re blinded by the darkness around us. I spin around, glancing back at the docks, and realize the one streetlight near the warehouse is growing smaller and smaller.

“We’re moving,” I whisper. I hear Enzo cursing under his breath and attempting to find me in the darkness.

“I know,” he finally whispers back, his fingers tightening around my jacket. “This is bad, Lenny. Really fucking bad.”

A door creaks open, and my heart jumps into my throat. I hold my gun in front of my chest with shaking hands, not knowing what I’m pointing it at.

I hear Enzo suck in a breath as the lights flip back on. I realize I’m still staring at the shore.

The streetlight is so tiny. I see cars pulling up and figures scrambling out.Too late now.

I feel Enzo lower his gun behind me and slowly turn around, knowing full well what he’s looking at. I blink at the blinding light pouring out of the cabin below and finally see her.

Flowing red waves glisten in the weak moonlight. She’s wearing a sheer white gown—like a fucked-up version of a sleazy wedding dress. Red lipstick lines her mouth, and she’s smiling.

A chill crawls up my back.That’s not a welcoming smile.

That’s an “I’m going to kill you” smile.

“Alexandra, put the gun down,” I hear Enzo say. I see figures lurking in the shadows, blinded to what they are because of the bright lights beaming out from below.

The light encircles Alexandra, making her look like some twisted, unholy angel.

“Alexandra,” Enzo warns again, his voice low and thick. “Put. It. Down.”

The figures emerge from the darkness.

I swing my head around, feeling someone grab my arm, and scream.

Then everything goes black.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Enzo

“Fuck,”I groan, trying to raise my spinning head.

There’s blinding light coming from every direction, and I have no idea where I am.

Slowly, the memories rush back. Matilda missing, the drive to the city, the yacht—and Alexandra, grinning maniacally as she pointed her gun at Valentina.

---