Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'24

I had woken up early so I could pack my bags for the trip. Czar still wouldn't tell me where we were going—he was hardly speaking to me at all. However, I had asked if I should pack for hot or cold weather, and he simply replied, "Hot." I called my mother earlier, just to let her know I wouldn't be in town for a while and that I wasn't sure when I'd be back.

She was hysterical and kept asking if she should be worried. After telling her at least twenty times that I was okay, I finally got off the phone. I had no idea how this trip was going to go or what to be prepared for. I knew Czar was upset—likely at me too. I was surprised he'd been able to keep his temper in check this long. But there's only so much someone can take before they explode.

Eventually, Czar told me it was time to go. I said goodbye to Lada and Annika. Anderi didn't even look at me, which sent a wave of sadness crashing over me. Czar remained silent as we climbed into the car and drove away. I bit my lip, forcing myself not to think about how my life had unraveled so fast. From a college graduate to a girl with blood on her hands—it didn't make sense.

I glanced at Czar, who remained focused on the road, unreadable. I turned away and leaned my head against the window, allowing the hum of the car to lull me to sleep.

~

KABOOM!

"Czar!" I screamed as the car suddenly spun out of control.

"Shit!" Czar cursed, trying to regain control of the wheel.

It had happened in an instant. I was asleep one moment, and the next, the world was spinning.

"Czar!" I shouted again, pointing at another car directly in our path.

We skidded to a halt, and Czar and I scrambled to unbuckle our seatbelts. A man jumped out of the other vehicle—gun in hand—and immediately opened fire. Czar shoved my head down and ducked with me as the windshield shattered, glass flying everywhere.

"Get the gun from the glove compartment!" he yelled.

I fumbled to open it, slicing my finger on a shard of glass. Ignoring the pain, I grabbed the gun and tossed it to Czar, who cracked open the driver's door and used it as cover while returning fire.

Panic gripped my chest. My vision blurred. I could barely breathe.

"Czar..." I wheezed.

It was the worst possible time for a panic attack, but there I was, spiraling. My breathing quickened. The world felt too loud. People were screaming nearby, someone yelling for help, others urging someone to call the police. I couldn't keep up. My chest heaved uncontrollably.

Suddenly, my passenger door was yanked open. A man I didn't recognize grabbed me.

"Who are you?!" I cried, startled.

"Armando Ricci. I'm a friend of your husband's. I'm getting you out of here."

I looked back at Czar. Our eyes met. He nodded. It was all I needed.

"Okay," I said, heart pounding.

"Come on!" Armando grabbed my hand and pulled me through the crowd. We weaved between panicked onlookers and makeshift barriers of cars.

A black car with tinted windows waited. The back door flew open. A woman who looked strikingly similar to Armando reached out.

"Damn it, Armando! I told you not to drag me into this again. We have kids now!"

"It was a friend in need," Armando said, slamming the door after I jumped in.

He slid across the hood and into the driver's seat, throwing the car in reverse and expertly backing away from the chaos.

As the noise faded and distance grew between us and the gunfire, my breathing began to steady.

"I'm Alexis," the woman beside me said. "And this idiot is my brother."

"Love you too, sis," Armando called from the front.

"Don't worry. We'll get you somewhere safe," Alexis said.

I stared out the window, my heart still thudding.

All I could think about was Czar.

Was he okay?

~*~

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! And if you read the "LUST" series than you should already know who Alexis and Armando are. Don't forget to comment, vote, and share. Until next time my lovelies.