Page 99 of Twisted Embrace

“Yes. Is Dar hurt?”

“We’ll talk when I get there. I’ve already contacted the few guards remaining on the premises. I’ll let them know where you are.”

Tears finally slipped past my lashes. “No. He’s not dead. Please tell me he’s not dead.”

“Relax, baby. He’s alive. Get back to the barn.”

“Come find us.”

“Nothing will stop…”

The crackling sound indicated the reception was fading. I glared at the phone, doing what I could to keep from becoming emotional. At least help was on the way. I crunched the phone in my fingers, scanning the perimeter, still uneasy. Danger seemed to lurk in every shadow, the fear almost crippling, but I refused to give in.

My hand still wrapped around the weapon, I moved through the trees, trying to remember exactly the way I’d come.

The sensation of being lost became overwhelming only minutes later, every tree appearing the same. There were no markings, no indication of either how far I’d gone or if I was going in the right direction.

Exhaustion soon crept into my system, my legs becoming lead weights. Still, nothing would stop me from getting back to either Lucia or Anthony. The soldier had risked his life to save ours.

The crunching of my feet against the foliage pounded in my ears, every shadow ominous. I was certain I’d headed in the right direction when the canopy of trees seemed thicker. I turned around in a full circle, a noise in the distance catching my attention.

Relief flooded me as the sound become more distinct. An engine. Maybe two. Thank God. Friendly soldiers. I rushed toward the sound, finding my way through the trees only seconds later. The barn was right there, the broken building one of the most beautiful sights I’d ever seen.

Then I waited, gasping for air, almost laughing from the constant nerves razing my system. Everything would be fine. We’d be saved.

Less than a minute later, two Jeeps appeared, heading toward me at a high rate of speed. My legs were ready to give out. When the drivers obviously saw me, I collapsed on my knees.

The vehicles were jerked to a stop several feet away. I waited, finally able to smile for real.

While I doubted the six men easing from the two Jeeps knew English, that didn’t stop me from expressing my gratitude.

“Thank God you’re here. You need to get Anthony to a hospital. He was shot. I did what I could but it’s not enough.”

Not one of them said anything as they walked closer. I lifted my head, studying each man as they approached.

The hackles on the back of my neck shot to the surface. Oh, fuck, no. Something was very wrong.

“Stop,” I yelled, lifting my weapon toward them.

They did as instructed, all six men glancing back and forth between each other. Then one finally stepped forward and when he spoke, ice tore through my veins.

I might not speak Italian, but I knew without a shadow of doubt the language being spoken from the obvious leader of the group wasn’t the beautiful language.

It was Russian.

How in the hell had they found us?

While none of the six had their weapons raised, the threat was real. I let off a powerful scream.

Then I aimed my weapon.

And fired off two rounds.

CHAPTER 27

Enzo

I’d know the sound of gunfire anywhere, the two shots cutting through the air, permeating the open windows of the Escalade.

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