“Baby…don’t let them get away…for Isabella…” Niccolo says, pained from the sudden shift in movement.
“Shh, don’t speak,amorcito. Catalina’s got him. I’m going to take you back to Willow. She’s going to fix you up,” I explain, cutting toward the chopper with him in my arms. October stays beside me, a knife in one hand and a gun in the other, keeping watch for anyone who gets in our way.
Two men come barreling toward us and October lunges, knifing one, but the other takes the upper hand. She stumbles and I can’t help her. Turning to her side, I yell into my earpiece, “Kill shot, towards the south side!”
“Got you, boss. Target acquired,” Camila says calmly as she takes the shooter down with a shot to the side of his head. Bloodand brain matter spew all over October’s face and body, as well as my back, as I shield Niccolo away from this man’s blood landing on him.
“What the fuck, Camila. A little warning next time,” October declares, disgusted as she removes the man’s blood and brain from her face. We continue our trek to the chopper and finally get there just in time before Niccolo starts coughing up blood.
“Fuck, baby. Please, stay with me. I love you. Please, keep fighting just a little longer,” I plead as October gets the pilot up to speed. October connects the earpiece connection to the chopper’s headsets and we hear all the action from down below. We lift off hurriedly and I look out the window to see Catalina and Alejandro grabbing Ilya, putting him inside one of our SUVs. Maeve takes pictures of Andrei’s sons as proof of death, then heads to one of the SUVs.
“Fall back, fall back. Grenades incoming,” Catalina yells as she, Maeve, Alejandro, and Alessio each throw a grenade toward the plane where all of Andrei’s men are gathered, setting them ablaze. They burn alive while everyone piles into the two SUVs we brought, as well as the hidden ones the rest of our guards parked a couple of meters out.
Up in the air, the pilot finally catches more ground. I look down at Niccolo, hoping and praying that he’s still with me. His eyes are closed and I can’t take it, so I lightly slap his face to wake him.
“Baby, please. Stay awake for me. C’mon, let me see those beautiful green eyes,” I plead, tears forming in my eyes. Niccolo lightly flutters his eyelashes and opens them slightly.
“There you are. You’re doing so good, baby. Stay awake, we’re almost there.” I look up to see October and see a slight hint of fear in her eyes.
“We’re almost there. He’ll be in great hands. Willow’s got this,” she reassures me.
“Clone my phone and tell the guards to lift the lockdown protocol. Notify Willow she’s needed and ask her to meet us in the bunker. She’ll have everything she needs down there,” I instruct loudly through the headset. October moves immediately, doing as she’s told, working her tech magic.
“Never mind, call Willow. Now, please,” I beg. She nods and calls her; the ringing is the only thing I hear before Willow’s sweet voice answers.
“Dario, what’s wrong?” she asks.
“Baby, Niccolo’s hurt. He’s got a gunshot to the stomach. It looks like a through and through with the amount of blood he’s losing,” I explain as she gasps, but doesn’t say anything, letting me continue.
“We need you to save him. Whatever you need, let me know, but we have a surgical suite in the bunker. Meet us there. I already lifted the lockdown protocol. One of the guards is waiting to take you there and we should be there shortly in a chopper,” I rush out.
“I’m not a surgeon. But um. Of course. I’ll do my very best work, Dario. But I might need to call in a lifeline. He has experience in surgery,” she declares.
“Thank you,Mama. I know you can do it. Our ETA is five minutes.” “Okay, I’ll be waiting. Be safe and tell Niccolo I-I love him and that if he wants to hear me say it, he needs to hang in there,” Willow admits.
“Will do,Mama. I’ll see you soon,” I say, nodding for October to end the call.
I cast my gaze back to Niccolo’s wound, and so far, the bleeding has been contained and his eyes slowly open and close.
“Stay awake, Niccolo. That was Willow. She said she loves you, and if you want her to tell you, she needs you to hang in there,” I add, relaying the message Willow admitted.
Looking outside, my ranch comes into view and the chopper makes for landing ten meters away from the stables.
“Radio the guards to bring the ATVs to the chopper. Now,” I declare to October, still staring out the window.
“They’re already on their way,” she answers, getting my attention.
“What do you me—” I start.
“I told them to meet us when I lifted the lockdown protocol. Willow will also be there so she can give Niccolo an assessment. Everything’s going to be okay, Dario,” October says comfortingly.
The pilot touches down, and the guard instantly opens the door to the chopper. Willow leaps off the ATV and runs in some cute scrubs towards us.
“How long has he been in and out? Show me the wound,” she exclaims in full doctor mode.
“He’s, uh—he’s been in and out for about twenty minutes and his wound is right here. October tied his shirt around it,” I rush out. Willow inspects the gunshot wound and sees it pouring blood, causing her to hesitate for just a moment.
“Willow,” I hedge as she emerges from her trance.
