Page 9 of Sweet Union
Luca speeds up, moving around the other cars, but the van next to us doesn’t let up. The gunman keeps shooting.
I can’t see Luca from my position, but I hear him as he groans in pain. “What’s going on?” I ask.
“Nothing.” He sounds strained.
“Luca?”
“Nothing, Nat. Just stay down.”
I remain curled into a ball as Luca drives. My body slams into the side of the car as he swerves, and I glance out the window to see he’s pulled off the highway and is now speeding down a different street. The two cars that were following us are nowhere to be seen.
“Did we lose them?” I ask.
“I think so. Now, we just need to make it to the safe house.”
I lean back in my seat, telling myself to take deep breaths. Glass is scattered all around us. I have a few cuts on my arms from the gunmen’s shots.
Our car begins to swerve to the side of the road before Luca straightens it.
“Are you ok?” I ask, turning to him. I gasp when I spot the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen.
Luca has been shot.
Blood stains the fabric of the shirt over his abdomen.
“Luca!”
“I’m fine,” he grits out even as the car swerves again.
“Let me drive. I’ll get you to the hospital.”
“No hospitals.” He stops the car.
“Luca.”
“No hospitals. Romeo will be looking at them. We need to get to the safe house. We can find a doctor then.”
“Ok, but I’m driving. You’re too hurt.”
“Dead,” he grunts.
I run around the side of the car and help him out. He trudges over to the passenger side and slumps into the seat. I start the car and take off. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Just drive. Don’t worry about me.”
I huff. “You’re my husband, Luca. I love you. You’ve just been shot. Of course, I’m worried.” My throat is choking up. Tears burn at the corners of my eyes.
“Just drive,” he repeats. “We need to get to safety first. Besides, you don’t know how to fix up a gunshot wound.” His voice is getting softer by the word.
“Just stay awake, Luca. Tell me the address.”
He rattles it off, but by the time he’s done, his eyes are shut, and his breathing slows down.
“Stay awake!” I shout.
He jerks. “I’m awake.”
“Good. Now, stay that way until I can get us to the safe house.”
