crashing into the rock wall lining one side
of the road. The other car swerved around it, gaining on us fast. I
got off a couple more shots before having to retreat inside the
car, a hail of bullets coming our way. I flung myself over Andriena
and Bianca as the bullets flew through the rear window, spraying
glass over us. I winced, the shards cutting into my
back.
“ Fuck!” the driver yelled. “They
got Sal!”
I looked up, seeing the seat in front
of me shot up, the soldier having taken the bullets meant for me. A
loud boom sounded. Our car swerved to the right, flinging me
against the door. The driver made another sharp turn, making me
fall onto Andriena this time. She yelled out, my weight probably
hurting her. I pushed up and grabbed my seat belt, clicking it on
as more gunfire opened up on our car. The driver veered to the left
more, looking like he was having trouble controlling the car. My
eyes shot to Bianca’s window, knowing we were heading for the
edge.
“ Get down!” I shouted at
the women.
I turned to
Andriena ,
curving my body around hers as the car went over the edge. It came
down hard on its wheels, flipping over a second later. The women
screamed as it rolled down the hill, our bodies getting batted
about. I yelled out as my head hit the ceiling. I blacked out, then
came to as the car rolled onto its tires, thankfully stopping. I
blinked, trying to get my vision in focus. Bianca was frantically
yanking at her seat belt, while Andriena looked dead. I felt her
neck, intensely relieved to find a pulse.
“ It won’t come
out, ” Bianca
shouted, her panic palpable. Her eyes shot to her window. “They’re
going to kill me!”
I undid my seat belt and climbed over
Andriena, the blood coming from her head scaring me. But Bianca was
my priority right now, because she was right: the Donatelli would
kill her for having poisoned their heir.
I yanked at her seat belt, the fucker
refusing to budge, the buckle damaged. I pushed open her door and
climbed out. Turning back, I put my foot on one side of her seat
belt and grabbed the other end, yelling out as I wrenched on it. It
creaked, but didn’t give way, so I did it again. This time the
strap came free from the seat. I quickly pulled her out, glancing
over my shoulder to see where the Donatelli were. Men were getting
out of the car, one already heading down the hill, treading
carefully on the slippery slope.
I shoved Bianca, yelling,
“Run!”
As she took off, I climbed back into the car
and unbuckled Andriena’s belt. I glanced at the driver, who was
slumped over the wheel, no doubt dead like his partner.
I pulled Andriena free and turned around
with her in my arms. I looked up the hill, knowing it was too late
for me to run, the Donatelli soldiers only seconds away. I glanced
over the car, seeing Bianca almost across the field, the woman
amazingly fast. Relieved she’d gotten away; I turned back to the
Donatelli soldiers as they surrounded me, all of their guns pointed
at my head.
6
Jagger
Even though I was relieved that
Bianca was gone , I still wished her nothing but happiness. If anyone
deserved it, she did, especially after she’d risked her life for
me. I headed into the bathroom, wondering whether I should’ve left
with her. Not because I wanted her, but because I hated living in
this hellhole. Although it looked beautiful, it held nothing but
ugly memories. If anything, I wished I had been sent to the Santini
after my parents’ murder, instead of the D’Angelos. They were still
relatives, plus Auntie Concetta had told me she would’ve adopted me
if her husband hadn’t stood in the way. I knew why she wanted me as
a son: she’d been in love with my father. I’d spotted them kissing
once when I was ten. I’d kept it a secret from my mother, because
in all truth, I’d wanted my father to be with my auntie. She’d been
so nice to me, often sending me presents even when it wasn’t my
birthday. Of course, I wasn’t
Michael Pearce
James Lecesne
Esri Allbritten
Clover Autrey
Najim al-Khafaji
Amy Kyle
Ranko Marinkovic
Armistead Maupin
Katherine Sparrow
Dr. David Clarke