Chapter Sixty Six.
Chapter Sixty Six.
"What the fuck do you mean you can't find her?!" Marco's furious voice roared through the phone.
His men, stationed around the lobby like hawks, flinched at the venom in his tone. His dark eyes scanned every inch of the luxurious space, jaw locked in fury.
Meanwhile, two floors above, Xena crouched low as the elevator doors opened silently behind her.
She didn’t step into the lobby, instead, she bolted toward the emergency stairwell, her heart pounding so hard it nearly drowned out the sound of her shaky breaths.
Every step felt like a gamble. Her legs trembled as she carefully descended the stairs. She paused halfway down and peeked through the small glass window on the door leading to the lobby.
There they were. At least six of them. Armed. Alert.
And then she saw him.
Marco.
He stormed out from a hallway, dressed in all black. His hands balled into fists as he barked out more orders.
“Search every floor. Tear this place apart if you have to. And someone bring me the surveillance footage. Now!” His voice cracked like a whip.
Xena swallowed hard, her hands clenching the stair railing. Her heart was racing so fast she could hardly breathe.
He’s losing it. He’s really losing it…
"Viktor..." she whispered like a prayer, her eyes glued to the main exit ahead.
Where are you? Please...
She pressed her back against the wall, her breaths ragged as she watched two guards walk past the door. One looked over his shoulder.
Did he hear something? She froze, barely even blinking.
Her eyes found the lobby’s front door just a few meters away. So close. Yet impossibly far.
Can I make it?
She didn’t have time to think—only act.
With a trembling hand, she pushed open the stair door an inch and slipped through the gap, ducking low behind a marble divider.
She crawled quietly, inching her way closer to the exit. Her eyes kept flickering toward Marco.
He was pacing now. Angry. Tense.
But then—he stopped.
His head tilted slightly. His eyes narrowed.
He turned slowly.
And stared right at the divider.
Xena froze, blood running cold.
Did he see me?
Marco’s lips curved ever so slightly. Not a smile. A silent threat.
“Xena…” he called out in a voice that slithered across the room like smoke. “Tesoro, come out. Let’s not play hide and seek, huh?”
Her heart nearly stopped.
And then—footsteps.
Heavy ones.
Heading toward her.
No. No. Please…
She made a decision.
Run.
She launched forward to the door.
♤♤♤
“Did you get anything?” Viktor asked sharply, his hand gripping the steering wheel as the car sped through the streets.
Mikhail, phone pressed to his ear, glanced Viktor’s way.
“Our hacker just confirmed. Marco’s holed up in one of the Royale penthouse, downtown.”
Viktor didn’t say a word. He pressed harder on the gas. The engine roared as the city blurred past them.
Minutes later, the black car screeched to a halt in front of the luxurious building, towering with reflective glass.
Without waiting, Viktor stepped out, his jaw tight, rage simmering just beneath the surface. Mikhail followed, gun already tucked at his side.
They approached fast, ready to storm in, but then they saw her.
Through the glass.
Xena.
She burst through the tall double doors, her breaths ragged, feet stumbling on the smooth floor as she looked like she’d just outrun death itself. Her eyes scanned wildly, until they landed on him.
“Xena!” Viktor's voice echoed.
Her eyes widened. And for the first time in hours, something like hope flickered in them.
“Viktor…” she breathed out.
Then she ran.
Straight into his arms.
She crashed into him, her body trembling like a leaf in a storm, and Viktor caught her, holding her tightly.
He felt her shaking, could hear the rapid thump of her terrified heart against his chest.
“Shh… it’s alright.” he whispered roughly, brushing her hair back. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”
But then—
Click.
The sound of guns cocking echoed from behind her.
Viktor’s head snapped up.
Marco stood at the entrance of the penthouse. Dark pant, loose shirt, eyes burning with madness, staring at Xena.
A cold, satisfied smile touched his lips.
Behind him were his men. All armed. Guns pointed straight at them.
Viktor gently pushed Xena behind him.
Mikhail stepped forward.
The air went deadly still.
“You shouldn’t have come here, Viktor.” Marco said coolly, but his voice was sharp like glass.
Viktor’s eyes darkened. His hand twitched near his weapon.
"This is my territory.. not yours, Bellini."
Marco’s smile dropped.
“You think you can just waltz in and take what belongs to me?” he growled.
Viktor didn't flinch. He kept Xena close behind him, shielding her with his body.
“She was never yours.” Viktor said coldly. “You tied her to a fucked-up fantasy you created in your delusional head.”
Marco’s eyes twitched. “Careful, Russian mutt. You’re standing on thin ice.”
Mikhail’s gun was out now, cocked and ready. “Then let’s break it.”
One of Marco’s men stepped forward, aiming.
“Try it,” Viktor warned. “But I promise you, none of you are walking out of here alive.”
Xena could barely breathe. Her eyes darted between the guns, between Viktor’s stone-cold stance and Marco’s fury.
Marco’s jaw clenched. “There’s a blood deal. She was promised to me. You… you stole her from me!”
“I don’t give a damn about your deal.” Viktor hissed.
“And if you touch her again, I swear to God, Marco, I’ll make sure your last breath is a scream.”
And then....
A sudden crack.
A shot fired.
Glass shattered.
Xena screamed.
Mikhail shoved her down.
Viktor fired back instantly.
And all hell broke loose.
Gunfire erupted through the lobby. Sparks flew from the marble walls, the air filled with smoke, chaos, and the stench of gunpowder.
Xena covered her head, heart hammering, ears ringing as bullets flew over her.
She caught a glimpse of Marco retreating through the glass fog, his voice shouting orders in Italian.
And then silence.
Broken furniture. Smoke curling in the air. One of Marco’s men bleeding out on the floor.
Marco was gone.
Again.
Viktor stormed forward, blood on his knuckles, rage in his veins.
But Xena only sank to the floor—shaking..
why this? Why me?