Who was with him? Was Giovanni there? Did he watch as his friend, his brother, died? Does he even care?
"Winter, stay in the car and stay down," Enzo says slowly.
My gaze flicks up, watching as he reaches into the glove compartment. His tone sounds off, though I can't decipher what it is. For a second I think it may be fear, but nothing in his body reflects the emotion. His hand is smooth and steady as he pulls something out of the glove compartment.
His eyes are cold as he turns to look at me. And any waver in his voice is gone as he says, "You know the basics.” He holds out a gun to me. “Anyone not part of the family comes out here, you shoot them until they stop moving."
I can only stare at the gun. We've been practicing and I'm starting to see improvement, but I always thought the training was hypothetical. Because they wouldn't really let me keep a gun in any scenario where I can get away, right?
In the compound where I'd never make it out of the front door alive, yes, but surely not out of the gate... or out here in the open, in a car that I could steal?
"Winter," Enzo's voice is hard and I realize I'm still just staring at the gun. "Do you understand?" he asks, nudging it closer in my direction.
I swallow but nod, "Yes, I understand." I take the cool, heavy piece of metal from him.
He gives me one final look before he hops out of the car, leaving me alone inside. The engine is still running, but I don't see movement on the street, so I guess there's no reason to worry about anyone other than me stealing the car.
I place the gun in my lap, keeping one hand on it as my leg bounces. I swallow, letting my gaze drop to my feet. Someone picked out plain, black flats for me to wear today. They're simple, easy enough to walk in or get in and out of.
To take off and chuck out the window before I make a break for it.
The tracker was how they found me when I was kidnapped, but I know they’d find me even without it. It may take a little longer, but the end will be the same.
So I never think about ditching the shoes and making a getaway.
But now... Now I have a better opportunity than I've ever had before and will probably ever get again.
Take them off, Winter, make a run for it. Vito is dead, there's not any chance that you'll be treated even remotely like a human being now.
But the fact that I'm here so my brother isn't six feet underground hangs over my head like a lightbulb.
I twitch in my seat, trying to make my mind up.
It's now or never.
A sound from outside the car catches my attention, loud enough to be heard over the engine, and I tense up, looking to see what's going on.
My body goes cold as I see a dark form moving toward the car. There's something huge over their shoulder and they're heading for me at an alarming rate. I click the safety off, taking a deep swallow.
I lift the gun before cursing.
Am I supposed to shoot through the window?
It feels like a dumb question, but Enzo didn't clarify. And I'm not clueless enough to not know that the glass could shatter back on me-
The profile steps further into view, lights hitting them and I realize it's Enzo. He strides forward, his face filled with determination and I realize the thing on his shoulder is a body.
A lifeless one.
I throw the door open on instinct, pushing thoughts of running to the back of my mind.
Now isn't the time.
I scoot over in time to miss being hit by the body Enzo drops into the car. The familiar cologne hits me first, thick and spicy, even under the metallic smell of blood. And then his head lolls to the side, confirming it's him.
Vito.
"Do something," Enzo barks at me before slamming the door and disappearing again.