Page 137 of Mafie Trials

He has too many men and we’re only a small team. If I don't act, we are all going to die here.

I make it to my bike just as I hear gunfire. Clicking my skid plates into place, I jump on the bike and rev the engine. The bike takes off like she was made for speed because she was. I go through the grass on the outside of the buildings so that I can get around to the east entrance the quickest.

More gunfire reaches me, so I do the one thing Alexi has been teaching me to do since I got the bike. I shift my weight to the side, careful not to go too fast as I get both legs on one side, keeping the throttle steady.

I slowly place both feet down when I make it to the asphalt and sparks erupt behind me while my bike shields my body from any oncoming bullets. The second I near the entrance, I reposition myself on the bike.

I ride the ramp up into the building and drift around the sharp turn to get through the doors. The past few months of training for hours nearly every day has helped me learn everything I need for this moment.

I abandon my bike as soon as I see the battle waging up ahead. Everyone is hiding behind an object, taking turns firing. It's only when I see Alexi’s guns do I move into view, my own gun aimed and ready with a blade in my hand. I toss a smoke grenade to the center of the room and open fire in the haze until I reach Alexi.

Alexi steps back as soon as he sees it’s me . His face is furious. “What the fuck are you doing in here?” he yells.

“Coming to save your ass.” I step out, making sure the men can see me. One grabs his radio and after he sends his message, I launch my knife right into the base of his trachea. Alexi pulls me back, but I push from his hold and take aim down the hall. I release the blade and take him down with the steel slicing through his neck.

Two more men pop up and Alexi fires, taking one down while I get the other. Thank Hades I was able to learn to be a decent shot in close range over the past few months. I truly felt bad for the people tasked with reloading our weapons.

Alexi takes out the final two guys, and I turn to him just as Laney approaches from the other end of the building. She has her bow aimed and ready to fire should we encounter any surprises. I turn to Alexi before she gets too close, not wanting her to be able to tell him what I’m up to.

“The tower went down,” I tell him, and his eyes go wide. “You need to get to your father. Laney and I will do a sweep for anyone left.”

I don’t tell him there are at least ten more men out there including my uncle. But I do kiss him, hard.

“I love you. More than anything. Now, go.”

“I love you too, Princess.” Then, he takes off down the stairs.

Laney approaches from behind a second later.

“I have eyes on her.” She looks at me and shakes her head. “What’s your plan here girl? Because I have to tell you, the whole sacrificial lamb look isn’t a good one on you.”

I snort as she puts her bow around her chest and grabs a gun. Her shirt is soaked in blood, and her hands covered, but I don’t comment. We need to stay focused. I planned to move north of the building in order to lure everyone away from our people. But just when I go to tell Laney the plan, more gunfire erupts from where she came from.

“Shit, they must have followed me.”

“You stay here, I’ll go up and around so they don’t see me coming.”

If we can get the drop on them maybe we have a chance at luring them to a trap and actually make it out of this. I duck behind a dark corner and scan the faces of the men heading towards Laney.He’s not here.Frustration nags at me.Where could he be?

I make my way carefully down the dark hall. I'm almost halfway when a hand wraps around my face. There’s a cloth pressed over my mouth and nose; a strong sweetly acidic smell floods my senses. I try to hold my breath and fight.

My elbow connects with ribs but just as the man doubles over in pain someone punches me in the gut, forcing me to gulp down air through the rag. My vision darkens and my body goes limp even as I try to will it to fight with everything I have.

But it’s not enough and just before the world disappears, I hear him.

“You thought you could trick me, Little Warrior? They are all going to pay for what you did.”

Chapter 61

I rush Arrow to the ambulance we have ready in case of traumas. He’s bleeding heavily and his body is already weak, but I’m able to get him there thrown over my shoulder.

Doc meets me at the doors as I lay him out on the stretcher. Arrow yells and grabs for his shoulder. Laney wrapped a tourniquet around it, but it’s no longer stable after my jog here. Doc readjusts it as Arrow looks at me.

“Look after her. Keep her safe. She needs you.” I know why he’s saying it, but I can’t acknowledge it.

He has to make it. He’s a stubborn fucking asshole, but he has to make it. For her. Forme.

“We both know that girl is too much for only one of us to handle. You’ve got to make it through, brother.Weneed you.”