Page 54 of The Prizes We Win
Facing the door, I tighten the grip on my gun. “Move.”
Channeling all of my strength I manage to kick down the door, and a moment later I hear the back door being thrown open.
And then they all appear out of nowhere. I don’t know how they fit so many rooms in the back of this building, but before my very eyes, members of the Bratva seem to pop out of every nook and cranny.
Trusting that the three of them behind me can handle themselves I work toward the direction of where I assume Mac, Ronan, and Finn are.
A door opens to my left, and while they try to be fast, I’m faster.
I pop off three shots, and three Russians drop like flies. I quickly look around, finding at least a dozen different rooms in this hallway alone, when I finally see my new step brothers round a corner. Each of them are panting heavily, but Ronan says, “That hallway to the back door is clear.”
Then, another door opens to Ronan’s right and out runs one of Novikov’s men. Mac steps forward, grabs the idiot by his neck, and throws him to the ground. In one quick motion, Mac snaps his neck before standing back to his full height. “That room’s clear.”
It’s suddenly quiet behind me, and I’m almost afraid to turn around.
But when I do I find Josephine, Dante, and Sebastian all standing tall, and unharmed.
“Everyone good?” Dante asks, and we all nod. “Anyone see Andrei or Maxim?”
All of us shake our heads.
“Anyone look behind this one?”
“Enzo!” I yell, hoping if he’s in there he will answer me, but there’s no response.
But if he’s not in there I don’t know where the hell he would be.
Being the closest to the closed door, Sebastian raises his weapon with one hand and reaches for the handle with the other. Dante draws his weapon behind him.
“Go,” Dante says quietly.
Sebastian kicks open the door, and I watch as they quickly look at whatever is in the room before they each lower their weapons. And when each of their faces drop, I immediately want to fall to my knees.
“Sebastian,” Josephine says his name like a prayer. “What is it?”
“Jesus christ,” he says as he covers his mouth. But neither of them move so much as an inch.
“Dante!” Josephine is already sobbing, likely as terrified as I am to see whatever it is that they see.
Finally, Ronan moves toward them and looks into the room. “Fuck,” he hisses before he looks over at his brother. “Mac. Finn. Come here and help me.”
Dante and Sebastian still don’t move. I’ve never seen either of them so still. So…afraid.
Finally I get my feet to move toward the door, petrified of what I’m about to find. As I move past her, Josephine reaches out and grabs my hand. I squeeze it as tight as I possibly can.
The two of us slowly make our way toward Sebastian and Dante, and they each look at us.
“Is it him?” Josephine asks.
“Luca, don’t let her see him like this.”
Suddenly I feel like I want to vomit.
“He’s got a pulse!” Finn yells from inside the room.
All four of us run inside without a second thought.
“Oh my god,” Josephine sobs as she looks between Mac, Ronan, and Finn huddled around Enzo.
