𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓮

55| traitor

DIANE

The sound of gunfire rang out, and I flinched, my heart pounding in my chest.

Yulia's eyes widened, and I could see the shock written across her face. She was just as surprised as I was. We both turned to look at the door, and I saw a tall, dark figure standing there.

The voice was unmistakable, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I couldn't believe it - it was Claudia. "Watch it, Yulia," she said, her voice like a knife's edge. Yulia's glared at the brunette,  her jaw clenching. Claudia gave me a wink, and I couldn't help but smile.

Finally, someone was here to help me.

Viktor dropped into a defensive stance, his hands on his katana and a pistol in his other hand. Yulia did the same, her eyes never leaving mine. I felt my heart pounding in my chest, my palms sweaty.

I knew Claudia was skilled, but were the three of us a match for Yulia and her men? I wasn't sure, but I knew I had to try. My life, and the lives of those I cared about, depended on it.

"Drop your weapons, all of you," Claudia said, her voice calm but firm. One of Claudia's men approached me, untying my hands from behind my back. I breathed a sigh of relief, but my heart was still racing. I knew the situation was far from over.

Yulia tried to make a move, stepping forward with her katana, but Claudia was ready. She turned and kicked Yulia in the back, sending her sprawling to the ground.

I watched as Yulia fell face-first to the ground, her weapons clattering to the floor. I scrambled to my feet, and picked them up. I felt a smirk tugging at my lips as I looked down at Yulia. "Is this what you wanted?" I asked her, my voice mocking.

"You can go and get it," I said, and I tossed her weapons as far as I could. They skittered across the floor, clattering against the walls. I turned to see one of Claudia's men were being attacked by another guy that game out of nowhere,  snapping his neck and he fell onto the floor.

Viktor grabbed me by the wrist, his grip like a vice. He shoved me backward, and I fell to my knees, my head hitting the ground.

I tasted blood in my mouth, my teeth rattling against each other. I looked up, my vision blurred, and saw Viktor standing over me, a look of pure hatred on his face. I felt powerless, like a rag doll in his hands.

Claudia was about to shoot, but Yulia kicked the gun out of her hand. "You little-" Claudia started, but before she could finish, Yulia punched her in the face. I watched in horror as my friend crumpled to the ground, blood trickling from her nose. I slowly got to my feet, my legs shaking.

I had to do something, but I didn't know what. I had no weapon, and I was weak from blood loss. I felt powerless, and fear gripped me.

I aimed the gun at Viktor, my hands trembling. I fired, but the shot went wide, hitting him in the shoulder. He grunted in pain, but he didn't even flinch. Instead, he just got angrier. I heard Claudia curse as Yulia headbutted her, knocking her to the ground. Yulia picked up Claudia's blade, sliding it across her stomach. Claudia cried out in pain, clutching her stomach.

I felt like I was going to throw up, but I forced myself to stay calm.

Claudia dropped to the floor, holding her stomach. Yulia advanced on me, a sadistic smile on her face. But then, Claudia reached out a hand, tripping Yulia. Yulia let out a cry of pain as she hit the ground, and I saw my chance. I jumped on her, pinning her to the floor. She struggled beneath me, but I held her down.

I could hear Claudia breathing heavily, her hands still pressed to her stomach.

Viktor grabbed me by my hair, yanking me backward. I cried out in pain, but I didn't let go of Yulia. I felt her struggling beneath me, but I held on tight. Then, Viktor gripped my legs, lifting me up off the floor.

I kicked and flailed, but he held me firm. I was helpless, and I knew I was in trouble. I felt his grip tightening, and I knew I had to do something.

"Look who's helpless now," Viktor sneered, kicking me while I was down. I tried to crawl away, but he was too fast. I felt his boot connect with my ribs, and I gasped in pain. "Please," I managed to say, but he just laughed. "Shut up," he said, his voice cold. And then, he slapped me across the face, hard. I felt my head spin, and I saw stars.

I wanted to cry, but I forced myself to stay strong. I couldn't let him see me break.

He crouched down next to me, his hand raised to strike. But then, I heard a voice. "Touch her and you'll receive your daughter's parts in a box," it said, cold and threatening.

I opened my eyes, and there they were - the Rivera brothers. I felt relief wash over me, and I sagged against the floor. They were here, and I knew they would help the both of us.

Viktor glared at them, his face twisted in anger. "Boys," he said, his voice low. "I swear, it isn't personal, but your women-" But before he could finish, Luciano fired. A bullet struck Viktor in the chest, and he crumpled to the ground. He gasped, his eyes wide.

"The next one will be through your daughter," Luciano said, his voice deadly calm. I heard a whimper, and I looked over to see Yulia, her face pale with fear.

Isaak made his way over to me, his face full of concern. He cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing my skin lightly. "Crap," he said, his voice heavy with guilt. He helped me to my feet, and I leaned on him for support.

I felt dizzy, my vision swimming. I closed my eyes, trying to focus on my breathing. I felt Isaak's hand on my arm, steadying me. "You're okay," he said, his voice low and soothing.

Then, I heard a woman's voice. I couldn't quite place it, but there was something familiar about it. "Boys," she said, and we all turned to face her. Luciano, who was holding Claudia in his arms, pointed his gun at her. "Hello, sweetheart," the woman said, her eyes on Luciano. "It's been a while." Claudia stiffened in Luciano's arms, shocked to see that she was here.

"Aunt what are you doing here?" Isaak asked, clearly confused.

I heard Yulia snicker from somewhere. "What do you think Isaak, she chose her side. What, you really thought she'd stay with you guys? She's a traitor, just like everybody else."

"Aunt, what are you doing here?" Isaak asked again, his voice tense. I couldn't believe it. The woman who I had met at the boat, side by side with Ezekiel- her husband, was their aunt?

"What do you think, Isaak?" she said, her eyes cold. "I chose my side. And it's not with you." Isaak shook his head, his face full of disbelief. "No, you're not like them," he said. "You're different." She laughed but there something else that lied beneath.

Claudia turned to Teresa, her eyes wide. "Is that true?" she asked, her voice shaky.

Teresa swallowed, and I saw her hands trembling. She looked at Isaak and Luciano, her eyes pleading. "I was going to tell you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I was afraid you would hate me." they were both silent. I could see the betrayal on their face, and I felt a wave of sadness wash over me.

"E-Ezekiel," she stammered, her voice shaking. "He promised he wouldn't hurt anyone, but I- I didn't think he would-" She stopped, unable to finish the sentence. I felt the anger bubbling up inside me, but it was quickly replaced by fear. "Sebas," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "Where is he?"

"I gave him to his father, Ezekiel," Teresa said, and the words felt like a punch to the gut.

Luciano looked like he was about to explode, his veins popping out of his forehead. "Brother, you go," he said, his voice tight. "I'll handle her." I looked at him, my heart sinking. As much as she deserved it, Sebas wouldn't have a mother if Luciano let his anger get the best of him.

"No," I said, my voice strong. "I'm not leaving her here with you." Luciano looked at Isaak, his eyes full of fury. "You don't have a choice,"