Chapter 34 When Vescari Arrived
The Master stood there, expression bored, eyes sharp and awake, as if he’d been waiting for this exact moment. He tilted his head slightly, studying her.
“Get her,” he said flatly.
Two men moved at once.
“What—wait!” Olive panicked, backing away. “Where are you taking me?! Don’t touch me—please—!”
They grabbed her arms hard, fingers digging into her skin. She struggled, kicking and twisting, but their grip only tightened, crushing.
“Let me go!” she screamed, her voice cracking. “Please—please—!”
The Master had already turned his back, walking away like she was nothing more than luggage.
They dragged her through the mansion’s long corridors. Fear flooded her thoughts, sharp and blinding.
Is this it? Is this where I die?
They reached the living room near the main entrance.
A chair stood there.
Waiting.
“No—no—!” Olive cried as they forced her down into it, ropes biting into her arms and torso as they tied her tight. “Please! I’ll do anything—just don’t—!”
“Shut up,” the Master snapped, irritation flashing in his eyes.
She looked around desperately.
Men stood everywhere—by the stairs, near the walls, half-hidden in shadows. Dozens of them. Armed. Watching.
Her chest tightened.
She screamed again, louder, raw and desperate, hoping—praying—someone outside might hear.
The Master moved fast.
Smack.
Pain exploded across her face. The chair tipped and crashed sideways with her still bound to it. A white-hot sting burned across her cheek, tears bursting from her eyes. Rough hands lifted the chair upright again while the Master rubbed his jaw, clearly annoyed.
“You’re really starting to get on my nerves,” he muttered.
Olive went silent.
Tears slid down her face, but she swallowed her sobs, forcing herself to stay still. Her whole body shook, but she didn’t make a sound.
Minutes passed.
Then—
The distant sound of a car engine.
The Master’s lips curved slowly. “Sounds like Vescari arrived.”
Olive’s heart shattered and lifted at the same time.
Leo...
The door opened.
Leonardo Vescari stepped inside.
His eyes found hers instantly.
Everything else disappeared.
He walked forward, ignoring the Master’s mocking smile. Guns lifted around them, metal clicking softly—but one lazy gesture from the Master stopped them.
Leo stopped in front of her.
His gaze dropped to her face.
Her cheek—red, swollen.
Something in him shifted.
His breathing slowed.
Deep.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
“How dare you touch her,” Leo said quietly, every word heavy with restrained rage.
The Master grinned. “So loud, this one. She needed discipline.” His eyes flicked over Leo. “Now. Where is it?”
“It’s in my car,” Leo replied coldly. “Let her go. A deal is a deal.”
The Master laughed. “Easy, Vescari. Not so fast. I missed you. You’ve been hiding.”
Leo didn’t answer. He placed a hand on Olive’s shoulder—grounding, protective. She was shaking violently now.
“Why did you come alone?” she whispered desperately. “Why didn’t you answer me—?”
“I couldn’t risk you,” he murmured. “I’ll explain later. I promise.”
“Enough,” the Master barked, clapping sharply. “Untie her.”
A knife sliced through the rope.
Olive tried to stand—and nearly collapsed.
Leo caught her instantly, arms firm around her. “Careful,” he said low. “I’ve got you.”
For the first time since waking up in that black room, she felt something close to relief.
The Master gestured with his gun. “Get it.”
Leo guided Olive toward the car, never letting go. Behind them, the Master followed, gun trained on their backs.
“Don’t look,” Leo whispered as Olive instinctively tried to glance behind. “Look at me. We’re leaving alive.”
At the car, he eased her into the passenger seat, buckling her in with steady hands despite the tension coiled through his body. He moved to the back, retrieved a small black box, and handed it over.
The Master’s grin widened—greedy, satisfied.
Leo leaned in close enough that only he could hear. “You ever touch her again,” he said softly, “you won’t live long enough to regret it.”
He didn’t wait for a response.
He got in.
The engine roared to life.
Olive let out a shaky breath as the car sped away from the mansion.
“Put on your seatbelt, Liv,” Leo said sharply. “Hold on tight whatever happens.”
The car surged forward, acceleration brutal.
They were almost through the gate—
BANG.
The car jerked violently.
Olive screamed as the vehicle swerved, tires screeching against the ground. The steering wheel fought hard against Leo’s grip as the car spun partially out of control.
“Damn it,” Leo growled, jaw clenched, arms locked as steel.
Olive clutched the handle above the door, heart slamming, fear crashing back in waves.
Gunshots cracked through the air again.
Not just behind them now—Olive could hear them echoing from the forest, sharp and chaotic, bouncing off the trees like they were being hunted from every direction.
“Down,” Leo ordered, his voice hard but controlled. “Keep your head down.”
The car jerked violently one last time before finally giving up, rolling to a dead stop. Olive screamed as another bullet slammed into the windshield. The glass spider-webbed, then shattered completely, tiny shards spraying across the dashboard and seats.
The gunfire didn’t stop.
Whoever was out there kept shooting—reckless, furious, determined.
Olive curled inward, pressing her hands over her head, her whole body shaking. Her heart thumped so violently she thought it might burst out of her chest. Every sound felt too loud, too close.
Seconds stretched into something endless.
Then—silence.
Leo moved first.
He unbuckled carefully, eyes sharp, body tense. “I’m checking outside,” he said.
“No.” Olive grabbed his wrist, panic flooding her face as she shook her head. “Please—don’t.”
He covered her hand with his, firm and grounding. “I’ll be right here,” he said quietly. “I promise.”
Before he could step out—
Knock. Knock.
Olive froze.
Her breath caught as she slowly turned her head toward the window.
A familiar face stared back at her.
Dexter.
He nodded once—quick, reassuring—his eyes already scanning the area like a soldier on alert.
“Boss,” Dexter called Leo.
Relief crashed through Olive so hard her knees almost gave out.
Leo stepped out immediately, his gaze sweeping the surroundings with lethal focus. After a quick scan, he moved back to Olive’s side and opened her door.
“You can get out,” he said gently. “It’s safe now, Liv.”
She hesitated, every instinct screaming that it wasn’t.
Leo softened his voice. “Come on, Liv. Trust me.”
Slowly, trembling, Olive stepped out of the car.
The sight hit her all at once.
Bodies.
Men lay sprawled across the dirt and fallen leaves, blood soaking into the forest floor. The air smelled sharp and metallic, mixed with burned gunpowder. Black vehicles were scattered nearby, doors hanging open, bullet holes ripping through metal.
Leo’s men.
They had arrived.
Alive—and deadly.
Olive’s hands flew to her mouth. Her legs shook so badly she nearly collapsed. Tears filled her eyes as her mind struggled to catch up with what she was seeing.
This wasn’t a movie.
This was real.
“Dexter,” Leo said quickly, pulling her closer to his side. “Get her to the other car.”
Dexter nodded and stepped forward—
From the ground, barely alive, the Master moved.
A gun lifted.
Leo turned—
Dexter reacted instantly.
But it was too late.