Dark Romance | Mafia

Chapter Fifteen

Stella's POV:

One of the staff member slipped into view, placing his hand on Mrs. Hailey's arm, escorted her down the passage to the staff accommodation, their footsteps echoing off the polished floor.

The threat might be over.

I stood frozen, unsure of what to do next... but one thing became clear: Mr. Giovanni had been right. There must be a connection between AK and Mr. Romano. That was the only reason he's here. But what kind of connection was it? Were they allies or enemies? There was still so much I didn't know.

A sudden gunshot shattered my thoughts. I had no idea where it came from, but instinct kicked in. Without thinking, I grabbed AK's hand and threw myself toward him.

I collided with his chest, the effect jolted me off balance. I stumbled and instinctively wrapped my arms around him. His hand found my back, steadying me. For a heartbeat, our eyes met and everything else blurred.

Why did my subconscious trust him? I don't know. Not really. And yet, I clung to him like he was the only ray of hope in my dark world.

He seized my hand, with his other hand, tightened his grip and took off, pulling me with him as we ran toward the exit.

He moved like he knew every brick in the wall, every creak in the floor. He swung the front door open with ease, as though he'd done it a hundred times before.

He never left my hand, his grip firm. Then, without warning, he shoved me behind a thick stone pillar and pressed his body against mine, as if shielding me from the approaching danger. He stood so close I could count each heartbeat in his chest.
His breath was shallow and quick against my ear, mine completely stolen.

Ak's hand moved behind him. He pulled out a gun from his back and leveled the barrel at my chest, panic surged through me like jolt of electricity, my breath hitched, his gaze locked on my shoulder.

"What are you-" I began, but his rough hand snapped up and clamped over my mouth, stifling my words. My eyes widened in terror.

What had he been planning?

and seconds later, a gunshot split the air, with a deafening sound, I squeezed my eyes shut, my scream muffled against his palm.

Seconds passed.

When I dared to open my eyes, he was already watching me....impatient, almost furious. A firestorm raged behind his eyes, like oceans of flame that could burn the entire world in a heartbeat.

I swallowed hard, my throat completely dried out. He peeled his hand away from my mouth.

"Uhmm...." as I tried to speak, but he pressed a calloused finger gently to my lips, silencing me once more.

Without a word, he took my hand again firmly, his grip unyielding as he dragged me forward with him, making sure we weren't seen.

I risked a glance around and saw a motionless man sprawled on the floor in a growing pool of red, the one AK had just shot. He was already gone.

We slipped out the back door into the cold night.

I was amazed that he knew every corner of the house. Now my doubt had turned into belief.

"Leave" he ordered, voice low and urgent.

A black car sat near the exit, engine idling softly, headlights cutting through the dark. The driver was inside, waiting. Probably for me.

I stepped forward..... then froze.

" I can't go."

"Why?" his head snapped toward me.

"What if you would kidnap me?"

"I have far more important things to do."

"Fine, I trust you....but you still I won't go. I'm worried about Mr. Romano, I can't abandon him. We should help him."

He let out an exasperated sigh. "I'll handle that."

"I'm not leaving, I need to make sure he's safe," I insisted.

"You are impossible," he crossed his arms and sighed.

"I told you....I'm not going."

"You are too good at irritating me," he muttered.

In a blur, he scooped me up like I was weightless and strode to the car.

"Put me down!" I kicked, twisted and pushed his chest, trying hard, but his grip was iron, unbreakable.

He set me in the back seat, "Drop her," he ordered the driver, then slammed the door.

The driver accelerated and took off instantly.

I crossed my arms helplessness and anger churning inside me.

He had truly mastered the art of rudeness.

Questions battered my mind: What if he really is Mr. Romano's enemy? What if something has gone wrong? My conscience churned with guilt at the thought that I'd never forgive myself that I'd left him behind.

Until then....