Alphonse shook his head. “I couldn’t get a clear view.”
Fuck.
The approaching footsteps quickened my pulse.
“We have to make a run for it.” I glanced at them to get their confirmation.
“Agreed,” Alphonse replied.
“Alphonse, you lead with Lo ahead of me. You two will cover me while I get Gigi to safety.”
I locked eyes with Luca. “You and Matteo will stay here. We can’t risk?—"
“Fuck that,” Luca grunted, his jaw set tight. “I’m coming.”
“You’ve been shot,” Matteo snapped.
“I’m not fucking dead,” Luca shot back, glaring at Matteo before turning to me. “I’m coming.”
I could see the fire in his eyes, his stubbornness and will to fight through the pain. Reluctantly, I nodded. “Fine. But stay close. On three,” I said.
I counted down, each number tightening the knot in my stomach. “One... two... three!”
We surged forward, bursting from behind the statue and sprinting toward the mausoleum. My legs screamed with every step, but I pushed through the burn, every ounce of my focus on getting Gigi to safety. The sharp crack of gunfire split the air, bullets whizzing past us.
Alphonse moved like a machine, firing back as he sprinted ahead. His shots were precise, and he took down one of the shooters, the figure collapsing into the shadows.
As we reached the mausoleum, Alphonse yanked the door open and we piled in, the heavy door slamming shut behind us.
We stumbled deeper into the dim space, and my eyes darted around until I spotted a secluded corner nestled behind a wall. We rushed over, pressing our backs against the cold wall.
“What now?” Luca groaned as he collapsed beside me, his breath heavy with exhaustion.
“Fight back. If we don’t, this could be our new home for good.” Alphonse loaded his weapon with a decisive click.
I shot a quick glance at Gigi, my heart sinking. Turning to Luca, I said, “I need you to stay here and guard her.”
He opened his mouth to protest, but I cut him off. “Your leg is fucked. I need you to be safe as well.”
“Okay. I’ll stay with her, and I’ll guard her with my life.”
Satisfied, I turned to the rest of the guys. “How much ammo you have left?”
Lo, Luca, and Matteo exchanged glances before replying in unison, “We’re out.”
“Great,” Alphonse muttered, frustration coloring his tone. “I’ve got one in the chamber.”
I checked my own magazine. “Looks like I’m down to two,” I said, handing my gun over to Luca.
He took it, a serious look in his eyes, fully aware that he was now responsible for my angel.
“What’s the plan?” Lo asked.
“We’re going?—”
Before I could finish my thought, the doors burst open. We leveled our weapons, only to lower them in relief as Miguel and a handful of my men stormed in.
“Fuck, man!” Matteo cursed sharply. “We almost blew your fucking heads off!”
