Chapter 68 RUN

Chapter 68 RUN
They've definitely spotted me, but they’re too slow. I move faster.

The night outside hits me like a wave. Cold air, sharp, alive. I inhale it, letting it fill my lungs, grounding me. I move into the shadows, keeping the package close, my body pressed against walls, blending with the darkness. My mind races through everything Dante told me. No mistakes. Focus. Find Dmitir. Deliver the package.

I duck into an alley, heart hammering, legs trembling from adrenaline and fear. My hands shake as I check the package again. It’s secure. Everything is intact. I breathe, long and steady, trying to calm the storm inside me.

Blade appears beside me, silent as always. She nods once when she sees I'm still with the drive and she disappears down another street. I’m alone again, the city lights casting sharp shadows. I move quickly, keeping to the dark corners, avoiding cameras, avoiding anyone who might notice me.

My mind flashes to Dmitir. Did he survive? I don’t know. I can’t think about it now. The mission is still alive in my hands. I have to keep moving.

I reach the safe house Dante set up. I slip inside, shutting the door behind me. The room is dim, lit only by a single lamp. I place the package on the table, taking a moment to breathe. My body is trembling from the rush, from fear, from adrenaline.

What the hell did I just do? Everything feels like a dream.

“Fuck.” I mutter as I realize how close I came to being killed.

I can’t help but think of Dante. I imagine him looking at me, green eyes sharp, reading me like a book. I imagine the heat of his hand, the way he watches me, the way he trusts me. I want him to be proud. I want him to know I did it.

I take a deep breath, steadying myself. My body aches, my legs are sore from running, my heart still racing. But the package is safe. The mission is complete.

Dmitir might still be alive, he might be a me to make it out. I hope so.

I let myself slump into a chair, closing my eyes for a moment. The world is quiet now. The chaos is behind me. The danger is still out there, waiting, but I survived. I did what I was supposed to do.

And when Dante finds out, when he sees the package in his hands, he will know that I am capable. I am dangerous in ways they will never understand.

I let the adrenaline fade slowly, my fingers brushing over the package one last time.

I walk to the bedside table and pull my purse from where I dropped it earlier this evening. I see some missed calls from Dante, some dating hours and some only a few minutes.

I dial his number and he picks up immediately.
“Anya?” he asks, I can hear him breathing sharply from the other end of the phone.

“I'm fine.” I reassure him and he exhales loudly.