The Sinner's Club [18+] Complete

chapter twenty-two.

I BACK AWAY from the front door as Viktor steps out, a tear dripping down my cheek.

Dario's men raise their guns to shoot.

"Gabi, go!" Viktor snaps back at me. I need to run; I know that. But my body protests at the idea of leaving him.

Suddenly one of the men outside drops to the ground. Then another and another.

What the hell? Viktor hasn't even fired a shot yet.

The rest of Dario's men turn, looking around wildly. Whatever assault is taking them out, it's coming from within the trees.

Three more men drop, the rest scattering around the property.

Viktor strides back inside—the plan has obviously changed—grabs my arm and hauls me outside, hiding us behind one of the pillars on the front porch. I crane my neck to see what is happening.

The rest of Dario's men are being picked off, one by one. I spot a small, red dot pinning to their forehead right before they fall to the ground.

A sniper?

"What's going on?" I whisper to Viktor, my back huddled against his chest. His arms tighten around me.

Before he can reply, an armored truck barrels down the driveway and crashes straight through the front gates. It comes to a screeching stop, and armed men stream out of it, all wearing black tactical gear.

From the front of the truck, another, more familiar figure appears.

Wearing a sharp, navy suit and shiny, black shoes.

"Nate?" I breathe, my legs giving out entirely. Viktor holds me up, and I feel his face press into the back of my neck momentarily.

I find my feet and wrestle my way out of Viktor's grip to race down the steps of the mansion.

Fresh air has never tasted so desperately sweet.

"Gabi!" Nate looks startled to see me, like he thought it would be more of a battle to find me, but it only lasts momentarily. "Are you ok?"

I fling myself at him, and he catches me, holding me tight enough to hurt. It is a good kind of hurt, the ache of home.

Burying my face in his shoulder, I hold back violent sobs, swallowing them down and trying to keep some modicum of composure.

"I'm sorry," he whispers into my ear. It almost shocks the grief out of me, him apologizing. "I'm so sorry, Gabi."

I pull back, keeping my arms around his neck, and look into steely, dark eyes. "It's not your fault, Nate. You're here."

His jaw clenches. "Not soon enough." There is clearly some kind of haunted look he can see in my face. I duck my head, grimy hair falling down like a curtain and shrouding me.