Page 174 of Villainous Kingpin

I kept my gaze on Bas, wishing I could do something to help him. He was in a clear line of fire and it terrified me. He kept his cool but I didn’t. I felt tears prick at the back of my eyes and I prayed we got out of this alive.

Somehow Basilio managed to pull his own gun and started shooting at the SUV. More shots came our way. He kept shooting but he was at a disadvantage, trying to drive and shoot at the same time.

And I felt useless.

He turned another corner and my body slammed against the door, my head hitting the handle.

“You good?” Bas asked, worry laced his voice. He was being shot at and he worried if I was good.

“Yes. Tell me how to help,” I asked.

“Get my phone,” he barked. “Right pocket.”

I reached over and pushed my left hand into his pocket. It was the only thing in his pocket so I pulled it out.

“Dial Dante or Priest.”

I nodded and swiped the phone open, then started scrolling down his phone book. “D. D, D there is not a single name with D here,” I told him frantically.

“Under Cousin,” he clarified, his eyes above me. “Fuck,” he snarled and I followed his line of sight.

More shots rang out, the deafening sound of bullets against the metal of the car. I couldn’t stop flinching, my eyes darting around with fear. The terror gripped my throat and the fear of losing Bas to death was the biggest part of it.

A loud hiss to my left had me whirling my head. Bas never slowed down the car and kept shooting at the men after us, but he was hit.

“Bas, you’re hit,” I cried out.

He didn’t slow down. He kept firing another round of shots. His sleeve was soaked with blood and I straightened up to help stop the bleeding. I couldn’t bear the thought of him in pain. My hands shook, our eyes connected. There was still so much I wanted to say to him. So much I wanted to do with him.

“Bas, I-” His hand landed on my head and pushed it down just in time to hear a bullet fly by my ear. In agonizingly slow motion, I watched the bullet graze his head and blood spurt on my face and all over him.

The car spun out of control and with the last sense of reason, I pressed the call button to his cousin. The faint ringtone mixed with the firearm and screeching tires. The car shot toward a guard rail and I was certain this was it for us.

I turned my head to see him one last time.

“I love you, Bas.” Our eyes locked, my mouth moved but I couldn’t hear my voice. Something flickered in his eyes and I had to believe he knew what I said. I couldn’t die without saying those words one more time.

An ear shattering noise sounded as we crashed against the rail. The car tumbled and my body jerked back and forth, flying through the air. The safety belt cut into my neck, digging into my collarbone. My head hit something hard, and then a loud explosion split my ears.

My vision turned black, my ears rang, my whole body hurt. But I could hear voices. Russian voices in the distance. My body lay limp and my eyelids refused to open. The sudden silence was deafening. Eerily scary.

For several heartbeats, I remained still. Listening.

A car engine roared, but it didn’t move. Whoever attacked us was still here. Ignoring my throbbing headache and pain, I forced my eyes open. My vision was blurry and dots swam in the air everywhere I looked. I blinked once. Twice.

My sight cleared and I noted the smoke surrounding us.

I turned to the driver’s side and my breath was cut short. Bas was slumped over the steering wheel. Blood soaked his whole sleeve, dripping down his fingers. There was also blood on his temple and fear unlike ever before took hold of my throat.

Was he dead?

I felt panic rise in my throat but I choked it down. Instead I listened for any sound from him. Anything. I held my breath, praying silently to anyone who was listening.

Don’t let him die. Don’t let him die.My throat was raw, so many emotions choking me.

That was when I saw it. His fingers twitched. Like he wanted to keep on fighting.

He’s alive,my mind and heart sighed in relief.