Run To Rome

“Good thinking.”

The yard remained empty and he decided they’d go that way. Rachel finished tying Zucchi’s feet and stood. Ben walked behind the chair and tipped it back on two legs.

He pressed the tip of the gun to Zucchi’s forehead. “Is there any security on the windows?”

Zucchi’s Adam’s apple bobbed frantically. He soundlessly jerked his head back and forth.

“If an alarm goes off when I open that window, I will shoot you before we run. Understand?”

Zucchi nodded.

Ben lowered the chair backward, all the way to the floor, and stepped over him to the window. He held the gun chest high and reached to unlatch the window. It swung open with the slightest of squeaks. Rachel sucked in a breath and their eyes met for a charged moment. The absence of an alarm did not allow for relaxation, and Ben took a deep breath before stepping out onto the balcony, his sister close behind.

They crept steadily along the length of the villa, crawling under each window while Ben tried to figure out the best place to jump down. It was hard to see what was underneath and the last thing he wanted to do was drop directly in front of a lower window. The very end looked to offer the best protection. Ben debated giving Rachel the gun, but decided to tuck it against his back instead.

He pulled her close and breathed in her ear, “I’ll let you know when to jump, okay?”

She gulped and nodded agreement. Ben judged the distance, grabbed the railing, and vaulted over the side. He landed on his feet and immediately dropped down into a squat to do a quick visual sweep of the surrounding area. All clear. Rachel had climbed over the rail and stood on the edge, waiting for his signal. He waved her down.

She bent her knees, leaned forward, and jumped. One of her unlaced shoes fell ahead of her. Her landing was far from elegant and she gave a soft cry as she tumbled to the ground. Ben rushed to her side and helped her to her feet. One step and she nearly fell again. A barely perceptible moan escaped her compressed lips. “My ankle.”

Ben swore under his breath. Seconds later, shattered glass sounded from the second floor. Somewhere in the house, a dog barked. Ben swore again, pulled the gun, and braced Rachel’s arm around his neck. As they started forward, he was struck with a sense of déjà vu. He couldn’t help but crack, “Just like old times, hey sis?”

“Been a long time.”

“Sure has. But we’re old pros. We can do this.”

She soldiered on with him, but her ankle slowed them down. At the end of the villa wall, Ben took a quick look around the corner and spotted their Fiat rental in the drive. It’d been years since he’d hotwired a car, and never a foreign one. Shouts from inside the house indicated their absence had been discovered. A door slammed on the bottom level. There was no time for him to even try the car.

“Come on, this way.”

Rachel stumbled as they ran across the drive toward the neighboring property. Ben held her upright and saw she’d lost her other shoe. He fought against impatience and focused straight ahead. If they could get past the six foot high privacy hedge surrounding the villa, they might be able to get help.

A deep, ferocious growl halted them in their tracks. Ben whirled, gun raised as he pushed Rachel behind him. Rachel’s shriek vibrated his eardrum at the sight of Nino pointing a gun at them while holding the leash attached to a huge black Rottweiler. The dog’s white teeth gleamed beneath curled, snarling lips. Drool dripped from massive jaws.

“Drop the gun,” Nino ordered.

Ben’s fingers clenched on the handle of the pistol. Damn it. They’d been so close. A indecisive glance around convinced him he had no other choice than to toss it aside.

“Benjamin, you insult my hospitality.” Alrigo approached in Ben’s peripheral vision. “If you are in need of fresh air, you must ask nicely.”

He swore silently and smiled at the man. “We did. Zucchi wasn’t very accommodating.”

Alrigo leaned to pick up Ben’s discarded weapon as he laughed. The sound chilled the blood in Ben’s veins.

“You still wish to run this beautiful morning?” Alrigo taunted. “I am sure Bruno would be happy to...accommodate.”

Ben eyed the now panting dog and lifted his gaze to the stone-faced Nino while Alrigo circled behind him. “No, thank you.”

“Excellent decision.”

Without warning, a forceful blow on the back of Ben’s skull knocked him to his knees. Rachel cried out as pain radiated through his skull and the dog went wild, barking and snarling.

Reflexes stunned, Ben tried to turn toward his sister, but Alrigo moved in front of him. The man grabbed a handful of his hair and jerked his head up while the other fist slammed into his jaw. Agony exploded across Ben’s face. A second strike nearly made him pass out and when shoved to the ground, he was too disorientated to brace his fall.

Gravel bit into his already throbbing cheek. Eyes squeezed shut, he swallowed hard and tasted blood. The dog’s bark echoed in his throbbing head.

Get up!