44

44


Lily scanned the room, the only exit was the door she entered from and at the moment Sebastian now stood stationed there. He clearly wasn’t going to just let them off.

“Well, we’ll.” He drawled, like his brother, the British accent didn’t waver. “It seems like my brother might have let a little lady like you slip from his watch.”

Lily’s pulse thundered in her ears. Instinctively, she shifted, tugging Gio behind her as if her body alone could shield her.

“Stay back,” she snapped, raising her hands in offense. “Or I swear I’ll—“

“You’ll what?” Sebastian taunted her. “Do you plan to scratch me with those little nails? You should’ve stayed put, Mrs. Kalanshivo. Would’ve saved us all the trouble.”

Her half baked confidence attempt wasn’t fooling anyone. His hands traveled his pocket, pulling out a pistol.

She tugged at Gio’s wrist again, this time Sebastian had wandered a little away from the door. If one of them ran fast enough it could be possible they’d actually make it out.

Lily gave Gio a nudge, a go sight to sprint out of the room but she didn’t shift from the spot. Her arm was stiff, almost resisting.

“Gio!” Lily hissed, turning on her cousin, confusion flashing into her eyes. “What are you doing? We have to go!”

That was when she saw it. There was this guilt in Gio’s trembling eyes. And her lips parted like she wanted to speak but couldn’t.

“I—I’m sorry,” Gio whispered, voice breaking.

“What?” The word barely escaped Lily’s throat.

Sebastian grinned wider, clearly enjoying every second of her unraveling. “She hasn’t told you, has she?”

Lily looked between the two. “Told me what?”

“I didn’t know it would turn out like this. I thought he actually liked me.” Gio muttered, a single tear trailing down her cheek.

Sebastian on the other hand looked fed up.

“You American girls really are so easy. One look in your direction and you get so carried away.”

Lily was still confused. It was like they both understood each other and she was the lost one in the room.

Gio couldn’t look either of them in the eye but she wasn’t done talking. “He asked me to bring you along no matter what Lils. I swear I had no idea this would happen. He used—“Her voice cracked, her hands trembling violently now.

“Shut up,” Sebastian barked and Gio flinched.

Lily’s heart dropped into her stomach. “Y-you brought me along intentionally?” She staggered backwards, unable to wrap her head around the new source of information.

When Lily didn’t speak, she took her silence as an answer.

This was a set up. Orchestrated by Christian, Dmitri and Gio too.

Sebastian took a step closer, drawing the gun from his belt, pointing it lazily in Lily’s direction. “That’s enough family drama. Time’s up, sweetheart. Christian’s waiting.”

Rage and heartbreak knotted together inside her chest. She forced Gio behind her again, voice trembling but fierce. “Stay the hell away from her.”

Sebastian tilted his head, amused. “Quite brave. Especially as you are unarmed, I commend you.”

Gio was still wailing despite the gun aimed at them and it broke Lily’s heart even more. Sebastian had used her and played her into thinking he actually felt something for her. They were both disgusting human beings both him and his brother.

"This isn't your fault," Lily whispered.

Gio's eyes widened, shock breaking through her sobs.

"But-I-"

"No," Lily cut her off.

Gio's mouth fell open. The tears still streamed, but beneath them, something softened. Almost as if Lily's forgiveness had snapped her out of the trance she'd been trapped in.

Lily gave her the faintest of smiles, then tilted her head just slightly-her eyes flicking toward the small clay bowl resting on a stand near the door. The gray powder inside was incense ash from a burned-out holder.

Immediately understanding she nodded.

“Enough.” Sebestian spoke again. “You’re coming with me.” He pulled Lily harshly by the arm.

On cue, Gio took the chance and picked up the bowl and in one sharp motion, she flung the powder straight into Sebastian's face.

He staggered back, his gun falling from his grip as hands clawed at his burning eyes.

"You bitches!" He tried to clear his vision.

Lily reached for the weapon. Both of them sprinted.

"Dammit! I'll kill you both! Do you hear me? You're dead!" Sebastian cussed.

The echo of Sebastian’s furious roars followed them down the hall, each word fueling her panic. Lily still clutched the pistol in her hand though her grip trembled. She had never imagined she’d even hold a gun in her life.

They made their way outside the building and her heart seemed to finally settle for a moment but then muffled shouting carried across the compound, and the sound of guards’ voices echoed in the compound.

“Shit,” Lily breathed. Everyone already knew.

They pressed tight against the walls as searchlights swept across the grounds.

Lily’s heart pounded so hard she thought the sound alone would give them away.

A pair of guards strode past only a few feet away. One paused, his head turning slightly like he’d caught something. Lily froze, her hand clamped over Gio’s trembling lips.

Seconds went by. Then, at last, they moved on.

She exhaled, both racing for the main gate. But as soon as they crept from the cover, a heavy shadow fell across them.

Her stomach dropped.

She could’ve sworn she hadn’t seen anyone coming. She swallowed, raising the gun at the man she recognized was addressed as Antonio earlier.

Antonio’s gaze swept from her to Gio, then down to the weapon in her shaking hand.

“Get in the car.”

Lily blinked, stunned. “What—?”

“I said get in the car, now!” Antonio snapped.

Lily and Gio exchanged a frantic glance. Then, without another word, he jerked his head toward the line of black vehicles waiting by
the far gate.

For the first time all night, Lily felt a sign of hope.