EVIL WAYS.

FIFTEEN

"Put on your seat belt, Vittoria." He said, his voice was loud but restrained.

"We can't go back to the apartment."  She said, putting on the belt as he had requested.

"I know," he answered.

The car was going so fast that the city was just a blur on the windows. The speedometer ignored by Jake, as well as all the red lights and speed cameras. Driving cautiously was the last thing he cared about.

"We have to get rid of this car." Vittoria said, "They saw it when they arrived at the warehouse, it'll be easy to find us."

"You're right." Jake sighed. He turned the car on the first street to his right, parking sloppily and jumping out, not bothering to turn the car off and take the key off the ignition.

He quickly reached a random car parked on the street, striking the window hard with his elbow a few times and finally breaking it. He got into the vehicle and opened the passenger door for Vittoria, then made a direct call and started the car.

"Dimitri is calling!" She announced, relieved, answering her cell phone. "Dimitri! Are you all right?" Jake tried to hear what the older one was saying, unsuccessfully. " I understand. We are on our way."

"What did he say?"

"Matteo was scraped in the leg." She said, "It was no big deal, but he's in pain." She opened the glove compartment, looking for something.  "Dimitri sent an address by text message, he'll meet us there." The brunette found what she was looking for, a box of tissues. She removed some leaves and lowered the sun visor of the car, wiping the sweat from her face. When she was satisfied, she removed more sheets from the small box and leaned over to do the same for Jake, who was startled at first but let her do what she wanted.

"What's that for?" He asked when she finished.

"I was dripping with sweat, it pisses me off.  I thought it would be pissing you off too." She shrugged. Jake chuckled, amused by her but focusing his attention on the address Dimitri had indicated.

They quickly reached a deserted gas station in the furthest part of town. The two men were already outside the car, waiting for them.

"Damn, took y'all long enough! I thought something had happened!" Matteo complained. The blonde was leaning in the car, with a band that was formerly his shirt tied at his thigh.

"You won't get rid of me anytime soon, sucker." Vittoria implied, approaching him. "Are you okay?"

"It hurts like motherfucker." He complained, "but it will get better as soon as I get the son of a bitch who did this to me."

Dimitri shook his head, disapproving of the younger man's behavior. "You're not going to do anything, kid. We're lucky to get out alive." He scolded. "Jake." He called the long-haired one and nodded, indicating to move away from the other two.

He spoke again as soon as they were at a distance that ensured that they would not hear them. "I don't know what happened. They never got that close to her." He sighed, scratching his beard. "I spoke to Mr Mantovani on the way here, he wants you to take her far away from this city. Now."

"Alright." Jake nodded promptly.

"This is getting more dangerous and unpredictable than we expected." Dimitri shook his head, clearly frustrated that he could no longer control the situation. "Listen..." He paused, not sure how to continue and vocalize exactly what he was thinking. "I don't know how or why, but Mr Mantovani trusts you, Jake.  He put Vittoria in your hands from the get-go and I never thought he would do that. Just imagine! Handing your own daughter's fate to a stranger!" He laughed humorlessly. "But I'm not here to question my boss's decisions, let alone doubt your abilities." Dimitri continued.  "He has decided that you will take Vittoria as far away as possible."