Page 101 of Like An Animal

“She’s at the house with Silva. I only brought three people with me. I didn’t think I would need any more than that. I’m so sorry, Jer. I knew he was up to something, but I didn’t think it wasthis.”

“This isn’t your fault, Bron. This is on him.” Then he grunts through the phone before saying, “Xavi, put out a red alert. Send everyone to…where are you at?”

“Your house, but I don’t know how long they can hold them off anymore.”

“It doesn’t matter if they hold them off. As long as you stay in the panic room, they can’t get to you. Even if they blew up the house, they wouldn’t be able to get in and you would be safe. Whatever you do, don’t open those doors. We’re coming, baby.”

I nod even though he can’t see me.

“Hang on tight, Bron. I’ll break every speed limit to get to you,” Xavi’s voice comes through the phone.

“What about Max? He’s out there!”

“Max will be fine, little ghost. Back up is ten minutes out. I know you’re scared and I wish I could fix that, but I need you to trust me here. My grandfather won’t let anything happen to Max because Nikolai Aronin would destroy him if anything happened to his son.”

Even Jeremy doesn’t understand. There is no controlling The Fathers. Dimitri might think he has the upper hand over us, but he won’t be able to stop them if Massimo stands in their way.

And he will.

That’s the problem.

“What I need you to do is go to the desk next to the door and fire up the computer. That will give you access to the security cameras all over the property.” I struggle to stay on my feet as I move over to the desk. I collapse in the chair as I follow his instruction.

“I’m doing it.” In a few seconds, the screen lights up with a dozen camera feeds. Most show nothing but the surroundings. However, one catches the shootout.

Massimo and Tobias take cover behind the pillars near the front door, but I see Alex injured on the ground, barely moving.

“Okay. I see it. Max is good and so is Tobias. Alex is down, but he’s not dead.”

“Good. Now count how many of Dimitri’s guards and how many of The Father’s mercenaries are there?” My eyes race across the screen as I count.

“Fifteen guards… twenty-two of The Father’s men. The guards aren’t fighting and neither is Dimitri. They’re just taking cover behind the cars.”

Jeremy groans. “That’s because he’s acting as a delivery boy. How many of The Father’s people are down?”

“Seven and…three seem to be wounded.”

I know why he’s having me count. It’s not because he needs any information. It’s to calm my anxiety and it’s working…until…

A bullet slams into Massimo’s shoulder and he falls to the ground.

“Max!” I scream as tears pour down my face.

“What happened!”

“It’s Max. He’s been shot!”

“Is he just wounded or dead?”

More tears fill my eyes as a sob falls from my lips. “Come on, Max. Get up!” Then, Massimo uses one arm to push himself up and a loud breath leaves me. “He’s okay, but he’s injured. It doesn’t look like he can use one of his arms.”

“Good, good. Now, take a deep breath. It will be over soon.”

I keep my eyes glued to the screen, hoping that having a visual will help me not spiral, but then everything goes wrong.

Bullets keep flying and one zooms by and hits Tobias in the neck. He falls to the ground clutching his throat, choking on his own blood.

My heart twists.