Someone shot our way.
Kazimir jumped back and hit the floor.
Get out. Get out.
Ducking, I ran forward, seeing Rafael with his gun up.
Okay. Rafael shot out.
“Take Eden!” I ran only four feet from him.
“We can probably kill him now.”
“So what?” I shoved Rafael forward. “Focus on getting the fuck out of here.”
Every bullet mattered.
We had Russians outside the theater, and Russians by the van.
There was no time to wait or overthink.
Louis opened the theater door. “Giorgio is on his way.”
“Good.”
Fighting had already begun in the cinema’s lobby. Our men and the Russians must’ve heard the conflict inside theater 7. Our men fought. Outnumbering, but still struggling. They got in a bullet when they could.
I grabbed Eden’s hand.
She tightened her grip.
And even though bullets flew.
Even though we ducked.
I shot.
She screamed.
We ran.
Popcorn flew.
And arcade games rang among the screams and roars of chaos and war. Even though we would barely get out of there alive, I exhaled for the first time, sinking in the feel of her.
She’s back with me.
I’d been exhausted and terrified without her. Now, with Eden by my side, nothing would harm us.
We’ll get out of here alive!
Louis stayed with Gwen.
Rafael had our backs, shooting down anyone heading for us.
I did a quick count. Dread hit me.
No more of our men remained.
Only five Russians had survived in the lobby. They’d been using the ticket counter as a shield. Every time they came close to popping up their heads, we shot their way.
“Keep it up. We’re almost out of here.” I glanced behind my shoulder. There’d been no sign of Kazimir. I didn’t think Rafael had hit him or me either, but maybe we had.
“Almost there, guys. Come on.”
“Stay close.”
“I got that motherfucker right there.”
“Fuck him and get out!”
“Come on!”
We made it outside the theater.
More chaos. More shooting. Shoppers screaming and running. Mall security hiding and fleeing. Bullet casings scattered the floor, along with dropped bags and purses.
The van we’d rode in was full of bullet holes. The tires flattened.
Shit.
Giorgio was on his way, but we couldn’t go back in the lobby with Kazimir and his few men at our backs.
“Let’s head the way Giorgio is coming. We’ll meet each other in the middle.” Louis grabbed Gwen. “Stay low and on my side. Moving is better than staying.”
Eden stayed with me.
She’s with me. Everything is going to be fine.
We rushed pass the van. Guns pointed. I didn’t know if we had any bullets left. But Louis, Rafael, and I surrounded the women and hurried down the hallway. Gwen and Eden didn’t play. They ducked and kept the pace.
We’re going to fucking get out of here. Yes.
Shoppers had been running all over the place, crashing into each other. More bags, and even large displays were sprawled everywhere. So many people ran back and forth. A mob of terrified people, speeding off here and there.
“Stay low. This way,” I yelled. “Hide behind everyone else.”
We ducked around terrified shoppers, putting our guns low to our waist.
Rafael scowled. “Where the fuck is Giorgio?”
“He’ll come.” I gestured for us to follow a massive crowd lining up by the escalators and glanced back. “Oh, come on!”
“What?” Louis looked back.
Kazimir had a van of his own. I didn’t know where it came from, or where he’d had it hidden. It didn’t matter at that moment being that on top of the van was a massive machine gun mounted to the roof. Some crazy guy with a helmet sat on top.
It looked like something off of an apocalypse gun battle movie scene.
I see you, Kazimir. You just brought out all the stops today.
Scanning the chaotic space, Kazimir had the passenger door open. He wasn’t even sitting in his seat as the van slowly drove forward. He stood dangling out the passenger side, gun in one hand. Other hand holding on to something in the van. He moved his head from side to side looking all over for us.
My heart sank. “He’s not going to let us get to the van, even if Giorgio gets here in time.” I let go of Eden. “I’ll be right back.”
She stopped me. “No. We can hide and—”
“If we stay here, he’ll just use us as target practice. I didn’t give him his mouse. He has no idea, if she’s really alive or not. I’ve got to get him to go the other way.”
“Shit.” Rafael shook his head. “I’m going with you.”
“No,” I said. “Go with them.”
Rafael wasn’t having it. “Louis has them, and Giorgio will be here soon. I stay with you.”
I turned to Eden. Fear filled her eyes. I grabbed her tight, wishing I could kiss her, touch her, tell her everything and more. “I love you, reine. Tonight, we’ll celebrate like never before.”
Before she could speak, I ran off.
I hope I keep my promise. At least, she’ll be alive. Anything for her. Anything.