Page 108 of Luciano

The cool air burned my lungs, the sensation welcomed. The moon was full, lighting out way down the beach. With heavy footsteps, we kicked the sand with each stride.

Run. Don’t stop. Run.

Our breathing quickly got labored, our heartbeat raced in fear and exercise. The crashing of the waves mixed with distant voices. But it was hard to tell… were they just innocent passersby or enemies hunting us.

I risked a glance over my shoulders.

“Fuck,” I muttered. Roberto was on our tail, along with the guard that gawked at us in the room while we were getting changed. More men ran behind them, the whole mobster squad eager to get their hands on their prize.

Ella glanced behind too and her step tripped over the gowns, having her falling down onto her knees, sand burrowing her kneecaps.

I quickly pulled her up, both of us losing precious time.

“Run, Ella.”

My gown was too heavy. I should have kicked it off me before we stepped onto the sand. It was too late. We just had to keep our pace for another two miles.

We can do this.

My breathing labored, but the adrenaline kept me going. Ella wheezed, struggling to catch her breath. I kept pulling her along.

“We are almost there,” I breathed hard. “Keep running.”

She wasn’t accustomed to running. I didn’t particularly enjoy it either, but I had never been so glad that I made myself jog for the past twelve months.

Sweat trickled down my back, and no amount of cool breeze from the ocean could soothe this heat. My grip loosened and my long gown dragged on the sand. Before I could fist it and raise it above my ankles, I stepped on the hem of the dress and in slow motion watched as the world tumbled in front of my eyes.

“Don’t stop, Ella,” I yelled. “Run.”

“No.”

“Run,” I screamed. “Go get help.” I scrambled to get on my feet, painfully aware of Roberto gaining the distance. “Run, Ella.”

A sob escaped her. “I’ll get help, I promise.”

She kicked her feet into a fast pace and resumed running.

“This dress,” I muttered, struggling with its weight, lifting it up and starting running. Roberto was almost at my back, the awareness tingling on my neck. And not the good kind.

Please, God. Don’t let them get me.

No sooner had the thought left me, I felt man’s hand grab my dress and pull me back. The sudden motion had me losing my balance and falling flat onto my back. The impact took my breath away, causing stars to swirl in my vision.

“Fucking bitch,” he muttered breathlessly, his knee pressing on my chest.

I couldn’t breathe, the heavy weight of him pressing down onto my chest.

“Let go of me,” I screamed, thrashing under his weight. His fist connected with my face, causing stars and pain to burst behind my eyelids.

“Such a little princess,” he growled, his knees forcing my legs apart. “You think you are so much better.”

His hand grabbed my pussy through my dress and sheer terror shot through me. “What are you doing? You are my cousin.”

“Shut the fuck up,” he hissed on a growl, his face twisted with rage.

“Don’t touch me,” I yelped, my voice rasped from shrieks, burning my throat. “Stop!”

I screamed and cried, shaking my head. He leaned over, his strong frame keeping me in place, as his knees nudged my legs further apart, shoving his hand up my dress.