Page 132 of In Ruins
We stop a mile away from the location, and everyone gets out of their vehicles. From what I saw on the CCTV footage, the back of the property is lined with trees, so that at least gives us some cover to close in on them.
The front is where the road is, so they would have seen us if we had driven any further or arrived by helicopter.
“I want you guys to move like you’re fucking ghosts. The priority is making sure we get my wife out of there safely.”
“Yes, boss!”
I point out teams. “You guys go and find cover by the trees and when you’re in position, the rest of us will follow. The next team go with them and cover the furthest side. The rest of us will take the front and side that’s closer. Everybody got it?”
“We got it, boss,” they tell me.
“Shoot to fucking kill anyone and everyone who is not my wife, Salvatore, or Bernardo. Leave those fuckers for me and Luca.”
They nod, then run quickly and quietly to take their positions. A few minutes later, the two teams let me know they’re in position, and the rest of us hurry over, making sure we’re quiet as well.
A couple of our enemies are patrolling around the perimeter of the three houses, and I lift my rifle and shoot, my men doing the same.
It’s a soft pop, and I watch in satisfaction as five men fall to the ground in sync.
“Move in!” I murmur into my earpiece. My men know the drill, so a few of them stay back to continue surrounding the perimeter while the rest of us move in. If anyone tries to escape from the back, they’re definitely going to end up with a bullet in them.
They take the two houses on the sides while Luca and I, along with a few guys, breach the middle house quietly, of course, by picking the locks.
“Aldo! Get your ass over here ASAP!” I say into my earpiece as we make our way into the house. My steps are quiet, and when we’re past the foyer, I point toward the upstairs, and two of my guys quietly make their way up the stairs while the rest of us fan out.
I hear a low pop from the kitchen as I’m making my way to the living room. The television is on, and two guys are watching, their backs to us, so they don’t see us coming. I quickly shoot one of them in the back of the head, and his head jerks before he slumps forward, just as Luca lunges for the other one.
Before the guy can even turn around Luca already has his arm wrapped around the guy’s neck from behind with the other clamped around his mouth. I step around the couch, so that I’m standing in front of the man.
“If I tell him to move his hand are you going to make a sound?” I ask, and he shakes his head. “If you do, I’m going to shoot you in the balls.” I aim my gun at his nuts so he knows I’m not playing. Luca removes his hand from his mouth.
“What do you want?” he sneers.
“Where are Salvatore and Bernardo?” I question. He looks at me with nothing but hatred in his eyes. “If you don’t answer me in the next second, I’m pulling the trigger.”
“B-basement,” he stammers.
“Thanks,” I tell him as Luca releases him. He lunges for me, but I’m quicker and fire off a shot straight to his head.
Luca and I quickly head for the basement, our steps slow as we make our way down the stairs. We’re halfway down when I hear my wife scream.
“No! There’s no way he’s getting his hand on my baby! There’s no way he’s keeping her!”
When we get to the bottom, I see Salvatore and Bernardo in a little cell with my wife, and Salvatore has a knife in his hands.
CHAPTER 38
ARIA
Tears flow freely down my face as I sob uncontrollably. My whole body is in pure agony right now. But that’s not what’s worrying me the most. No, it’s the fact that I’m starting to feel some cramping in my stomach.
I didn’t know that’s what it was earlier, but over the last few minutes, I’m convinced that’s what’s happening. Everywhere hurts, so I thought it was the pain from all the trauma I suffered today. Now though, I’m starting to feel like something’s off.
“Please, please hold on, baby girl. You can’t come out yet. Not until we’re out of here and safe,” I sob, while begging the universe for a miracle. I haven’t moved from the bed since Salvatore left me earlier because I’m drained of all energy.
Just then, footsteps echo down the stairs. Two distinct sets, steady and getting closer. I let out a groan because I don’t want to deal with anyone right now. I don’t know how long has passed since Salvatore was down here, but I know for a fact it can’t be morning yet.
I struggle to sit up, and I’m breathless by the time I manage to get my body up and brace my back against the concrete wall. The movement causes a sharp pain to shoot through my lowerback and belly. I let out a pain-filled moan at the intensity of it. Somehow, this feels worse than all the other pain in my body.
