Chapter 269 Chapter 269

Chapter 269 Chapter 269
Damien's POV.

I didn't want them exploring the city yet. It wasn't safe, Luca was still at large and Anthony was lurking somewhere in the shadows, hiding from the authorities and waiting for a perfect chance to strike.

The chance of letting two people that I treasured most to leave without enough security was unsatisfactory. Worse, I knew Sophia was going to rebel in her crazy and ridiculous way if I shut them up.

I had to go with them to be their eyes and ears and also their muscles. Moreover, It was another way to scale the city, find out how much had changed and what hasn't.

While Hailey prepared, Marco joined me at my study room seconds before we would leave. Apparently, he wasn't troubled about going out with the girls even if he was on guard duty. He was armed and ready like he was headed for a battlefield.

“The car is ready, Boss,” he reported, standing still for my reply.

“Okay, I'll be with you in a minute,” I said, flipping the last page of a book shut. “On your way, tell Kai to cancel the plans we have for today.”

Marco nodded and walked out without a slight curiosity about what it was.

I had planned to have a meeting with the elders earlier, but Sophia and Hailey changed my plans.

A few minutes later, we all got into our separate cars. I followed Sophia closely behind them taking every turn they took. They probably discussed without a care in the world. Times were never like this, Sophia hated Hailey with everything in her, but the battles they faced together, good and bad, changed the chemistry between them.

I couldn't say the same thing for me. I checked the rearview mirror an insane number of times in five minutes.

I had to be cautious. I had a strange feeling that something was going to happen. I knew we were being watched since we came back home, but my security was too tight to allow an open strike. If I was the enemy, now would be a perfect time to attack.

Benita crossed her arms and gaped on in silence, her expression full of boredom. She had previously argued strongly that she wanted to tag along with Marco instead of the girls. I guess my presence made her stiff and awkward to even blink an eye.

“You should have advised your friend to sit this one down,” I said, leaning my head on the head rest.

“We need this, it's been a long time since we went out.” She replied in a robotic tone. “And yes, I know it might not be safe but we were never planning on going alone… we just never thought you'd come with us,” her voice reduced to an inaudible whisper.

“I didn't intend to, I wanted to have a meeting with my elders but you guys changed my plans,” I replied.

She glanced over at me and shook her head with a smile. “You make it sound like it's a once in a lifetime sacrifice.”

“It might be,” I looked across the window, watching as we drove past other cars. “But my daughter and Hailey comes first.”

“Good to know,” she smiled, eyes focused on Marco on the wheel.

Thirty minutes later we got to the mall. Sophia and the girls shrieked in excitement and chattered with themselves. However, I could feel the constant chill that whoever was following us was close by. I was unable to get rid of the feeling.

Everyone that walked past us was a suspect. The cars honking into the parking lot, the janitor dutifully doing their job, even the staff at the door who welcomed their customers.

“Marco, I want you to be super alert.”I said over the earpiece.

“Noted Boss,” he replied.

I turned to the girls and faked a cough to get their attention.

“As soon as we get into the elevator, you all have forty five minutes to pick what you need and we go,” I said, eyes fixed at Hailey.

“Forty five minutes, dad?” Sophia voiced out in shock. “That's not even enough time to try out new clothes and…”

“Forty five minutes, Sophia,” I resounded, squinting my eyes at her. She needed to understand that they weren't safe yet. She froze and finally replied with a nod.

“Okay,” she turned to the girls and clasped her hands. “Let's make it count,”

We moved along from shop to shop. The mall smelled like pretzels and cinnamon, the music played too loud yet the chatter of hundreds of customers filled the air making it hard to listen to the surroundings.

We got to a boutique store minutes later after walking around in circles. Hailey took her time scanning a jacket as Benita criticized the lack of taste in the shop. Sophia was different, she grabbed everything her hands could reach.

The murmuring became unbearable for me. I walked towards the entrance of the store, fixing myself at an angle where I could see both ends of the store and also down the hall. Marco stood a few feet apart from Benita but his eyes were sharp around the corners.

I was about to tuck my hands into my pocket and heave a sigh when the first shot cracked through the air like lightning, the sound sharp and cutting through the loud song and chatter of the people. The glass shattered to pieces and everyone flinched in shock. Silence flashing in for a second before things took a major turn.

“Shit!” I turned to find where the bullet came from.

Then a second shot came bolting through the air. And then a third in quick succession.

“Everybody down!” I yelled.

The mall went into chaos as screams filled the air. People ran in all directions, kids crying and shoes squeaking on the tiles. It was utter chaos outside, strollers became obstacles and even slow runners were pushed over by people desperate to survive.

I rushed to grab Hailey, the rest followed behind as we pushed our way through the tough crowd. The shoving, kicking and crashing of bodies.

“Stay together,” I shouted at the top of my voice, knocking over a stranger who tried to run us apart.

Sophia nodded and held Benita's arm, her face pale. We got to a large hall and took cover in the aisles. We formed a circle so I could communicate on what to do.

Unfortunately, through the chaos of desperately wanting to get out of the mall, Benita crashed into Marco and one of his guns fell out of his pocket. The few women around the area screamed in fear and ran away.

The gun hit the floor with a thud and slid under a large shelf.

Hailey rushed at the gun to catch it before it got out of reach and Marco heaved a sigh.

“I got it,” she cradled the gun like an egg.

“Thank you,” Marco sighed, relief flashing across his face. “Toss it over here,”

She was about to toss it when a heavy sound groaned in the air. A metal groaning. We all turned out heads to the direction of the sound, my eyes widening as the aisle shelf came down between us. Wooden rods crashed to the floor along with the items in it, causing a wall of dust to mask the air for a few minutes.

“Hailey,” I yelled, but no answer. I shouted again and again until a loud cough behind me drew my attention.

But it wasn't Hailey. Or Sophia.

It was Marco and Benita holding hands.

I tried to jump across the pile of wood to the other side, but I froze when a voice cocked a gun behind me.

“Hands where I can see them, Mr Damien,” Luca thundered.