Page 88 of Forbidden Sins

The SUV rams us again, harder this time. Our car fishtails, and Sebastian fights to keep us on the road. We're on a less populated stretch now, trees lining both sides of the two-lane highway.

“Get your gun,” Sebastian barks, his voice calmer than I would have expected, given the circumstances. “You might need it.”

The SUV pulls up alongside us, and I see the passenger window rolling down. "Get down!" Sebastian yells, just as the first shots ring out.

Glass shatters around us as bullets tear through the windows. I duck down, clutching the gun to my chest, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps.

Sebastian swerves hard, trying to shake them off, but the SUV stays with us, the gunman continuing to fire. I feel a sharp sting across my cheek and realize a piece of glass has cut me.

"Estella, I need you to shoot back," Sebastian says, his voice tight with strain. "Just to keep them at bay. Can you do that?"

I nod, though he can't see me hunched down in my seat. My hands are trembling so badly that I’m terrified I’m going to drop the gun. I raise myself just enough to aim out my shattered window, squeezing the trigger before I can think too much about it.

The recoil surprises me, the gun jumping in my hands. I have no idea if I hit anything, but the SUV backs off slightly.

"Good," Sebastian encourages. "Keep going."

I fire again, and again, each shot making me flinch. The SUV drops back further, and for a moment, I think we might have a chance.

Then I hear Sebastian swear, and the car lurches. "They hit a tire!"

Our car begins to wobble, the steering becoming erratic. Sebastian fights to maintain control, but we're slowing down, the damaged tire making a rhythmic thumping sound against the pavement.

"We can't outrun them like this," he says, scanning the road ahead. "We need to make a stand."

He veers off the highway onto a dirt road that cuts through the trees. The car bounces violently over the uneven terrain, the flat tire making it nearly impossible to steer properly. After about half a mile, Sebastian pulls to a stop in a small clearing.

"Get out," he orders, already reaching for his own gun tucked into his waistband. "Into the trees. Now."

We abandon the car, running for the cover of the trees. Behind us, I hear the SUV approaching, its engine growling as it navigates the rough road.

"This way," Sebastian pulls me deeper into the woods, moving as quickly and quietly as possible. My side aches where my wounds are still healing, but adrenaline pushes me forward.

We find position behind a fallen tree, both of us breathing hard. Sebastian checks his gun, then looks at mine.

"How many shots did you fire?"

I try to remember. "Four? Maybe five?"

He curses. “You have one or two left, then. Make them count if you need to.”

The SUV has stopped where our car is. I can hear car doors slamming, men's voices calling out orders. They're spreading out, searching for us.

"There are at least four of them," Sebastian whispers. "Maybe more."

My mouth is dry with fear. "What do we do?"

"We wait. Let them come to us. We have the advantage here—they don't know exactly where we are."

I nod, trying to control my breathing, to be as silent as possible. Sebastian's hand finds mine, squeezing once before letting go to grip his gun with both hands.

The first man appears about thirty yards away, moving cautiously between the trees. He hasn't seen us yet, but he's heading in our direction. Sebastian raises his finger to his lips, signaling me to wait.

A second man appears to our right, and then a third to our left. They're surrounding us, closing in like wolves on prey.

And then Vito steps out from the trees.

“You’ve led us on quite a chase, Estella,” he calls out. “Come out now, and I’ll kill your lover quickly. It’s the best chance you both have.”

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