Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
From there everything is a blur. It happens so quickly but in the heat of the moment it feels as if it is in slow motion. I draw my arm back, swinging down as hard as I can on Aden. The shot he takes swings off to the side, but tags Elias in the shoulder with a heavy thud when it hits the flesh. My ears ring from the loud bang of the gun.
Aden turns sideways to look at me, dazed but not out like I had hoped he'd be.
I stare at him, wondering if I'm about to die, as he drops to his knees, now holding the gun on me. I take a breath, thinking this is it, but Elias slams his fist into Aden's neck, burying the knife deep into his flesh. It’s like something from a horror show to see the blood running out of my brother, his eyes going wide as he drops to the floor, staring vacantly up at me.
I scream. I can’t stop myself. My entire body begins quaking as I scramble away from him. I all but fall sideways into a seat as I stare at his crumpled body. Helen shuffles over, hands still bound.
Helen nudges me with her shoulder, and I make myself turn away from the gory scene.
"Elias, you're shot!" I point a shaking hand at his shoulder.
"I’ve had worse and at least the bullet is in me and not the side of the plane causing us to lose cabin pressure. I do need to take over the plane. Autopilot will only last for so long, and we should almost be to the airfield." He tosses me a phone. I’m too shook up to catch it, but it lands in my lap. "See if you can get a call through to Marco or your husband. Have him meet us at the Summerfield private airstrip outside of Patras."
I nod, dialing the phone as I grab the bloody knife from Aden's neck. I gag as the sticky blood coats my hand and my stomach churns with the need to vomit. I try to cut the ties on Helen's wrist. That’s not easy because her hands are shaking—almost as bad as mine.
"Who is this?" Antonio’s voice comes through in a harsh growl.
Antonio.
Tears cascade down my cheeks at the sound of my husband's voice. A gasp of relief chokes me as I sob. I can't say anything. "Lina? Is this you? Are you okay? Where are you? Are you hurt?" The desperation in his voice fills me with determination to speak.
"Yes," I laugh through my tears. "Yes, to all of those.”
“God, woman. Talk to me. Where are you?”
“Elias helped me. He's trying to land the plane now. He said to tell you to meet us outside of Patras. Summer...” My brain slows for a minute, and I begin to tremble even harder than before. I try to remember what Elias said… “Summerfield! He said for you to meet us at the airstrip in Summerfield.”
"We're in the helicopters now. I'll be there soon, il mio tesoro."
“I love you—” The line goes dead. I take a shaky breath as I drop the phone looking at Helen.
Helen is trembling, too. Large tears stream down her face. She holds her arms out, which I fall into. I kick the bloody knife I dropped away from us and try not to think about the fact my brother’s blood is on my hands.
Helen hugs me tightly. “Jesus, your family is the poster child for dysfunction.” Hysterical laughter bubbles out as I hold onto her. It’s the last thing I expected but it’s needed, and I think my friend knows that. “I should warn you,” she adds as I pull back to look at her. “I think I’m going to trade Marco in for Elias. He’s hot and my walking hero. Then again, I might be in shock."
I laugh through my tears, the sound muffled as I hold tightly to my friend.
antonio
Besides the whirling of the propellers of the helicopter, the mood is silent as we land. The only other vehicle on the airstrip is a plane. Victorio gets out first, then me, with Marco following.
I walk to the plane with long strides, unsure of what we are about to find. Climbing up the stairs with my gun drawn, I bang on the door. I try the handle, but it's locked. Slowly the door opens, showing Elias holding the gun on me. We’re at a standoff. The only reason he’s not dead is because Melina said he helped her. When his eyes land on Marco, he holsters his weapon. I do the same as I push my way past him to get inside.
"Antonio," Melina cries.
I turn in time for her to jump into my arms. I grab her, my heart pounding in my chest as I realize how close I was to losing this. “Fuck,” I groan.