Chapter 147 Come to me.
CHAPTER 147
Come to me.
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
The smell of iron hangs in the air.
I check the bullets in her gun, find it empty, and throw it to the side. Adeline is already stocking up on knives. I follow her lead, strapping knives to my hips and hiding one in my sleeves.
“Come here,” she murmurs, cups my cheeks and wipes the nurse’s blood away wth her sleeve.
I wait for her to tell me it was unnecessary, to chide me, but she does not.
“Don’t let your mind slip away. The greater war is coming, and we are walking out of here alive. It is nonnegotiable.” She holds my chin firmly.
I nod, and puff my cheeks. Exhaustion sinks into my bones. I am not as strong as I used to be, but I am angry.
Russell walks in, wiping sweat from his forehead, “You need to leave now. Take Mrs Sterling, and go. We’ll hold them off.”
“There are only three of you. Our husbands are coming with soldiers. I am the Queen of La Cosa Nostra, and she is the Queen of the Cartels. We do not run. We stay here. We will win this fight. I’m sleeping in my bed tonight.” Adeline says vehemently, determined.
Russell looks at me, and I nod.
Help is at least thirty minutes away. We do not have thirty minutes to spare.
I check on Rue and Celeste. They are safe for now.
The sounds of vehicles make me stiffen. They are here, and they are more than expected.
I rush back inside. Russell and the bodyguards stand by the door, ready to be the first contact. I hide under the cabinet, and Addie is behind me, back to back, gun in hand.
My pulse throbs loudly as I await my penance.
“They’re just standing there,” Russell whispers.
“What do they look like?” Adeline asks, tone low.
He describes them, describes the tattoo on the arm. Emiliano’s men. We knew that already.
Suddenly, a cackle fills the air, and I realise that the nurse had a walkie-talkie. Addie and I share a look.
Seconds later, Emiliano’s voice fills the air.
“Rosalina,” he begins, sounding relaxed. He is in a calm place, while I have dried blood all over me.
“Come to me. The breeze has revealed the hen’s buttocks. There is nothing to hide anymore. Come to me, and your friends walk free. Let’s not make this any messier than it’s supposed to be. You were always mine, from the beginning, from nine years old. I let you wander around, knowing I will get you. Your stupid boyfriend is on his way, with Valentino. One bullet will take them both out. We don’t want that, do we?” He is amused.
I look at Adeline. She’s shaking her head no.
“I will forgive you for everything you have done. I will be a good husband to you, Rosalina. I will give you children. I will give you a house. I will make you happier than Sterling. I won’t make you cry as he has. I will accept you. You will be the Queen of the Cartels as you are meant to, so stop this nuisance, and come to me –”
I aim the gun, close my eyes and pull the trigger.
His voice halts immediately.
The message has been sent.
We brace ourselves and prepare for the gunshots, but it never comes.
Instead, I hear footsteps, then a strong hit on the door.
Horror sinks into my bones. They want to take me to Mexico alive. Alive.
“I’ll rather die than be his wife,” I mutter.
“Move, now.” I slip out of hiding.
Russell pushes the door open, and gunshots rain down on them.
They cover us as we rush outside. The sun is setting in the distance. There are about four full vehicles of soldiers. Almost fifty of them for just two people. They should have brought more.
Easily, our team drops their men like flies, but I know we are on a timer, one that is running out quickly.
Adeline and I split up. I crunch down, rushing to their vehicle, knife in hand.
Then, I hear the click of a gun. I turn around slowly and see one of his men.
“Come on, princess, let’s not do this.” He smirks, and I stay silent.
“You know what? Let’s make this a fair fight.” He chuckles and drops his gun.
Big mistake.
I rush towards him like a storm. His eyes widen, and he tries to pick up the gun, but it’s too late.
With a scream, I slam him on the ground and shove the knife deep in his throat. I stab him hard, over and over again. Rage floods my veins. I spit on him, get up, grab his gun, and join Adeline.
It’s a machine gun. I don’t think. I just shoot. The men drop like flies, and freedom floods my veins. These bastards betrayed my father. They sold him out. They are working for the enemy.
“Remember my fucking face, you fucking cunts. Remember!” I scream in Spanish.
The bullets run out, and I clench my fist hard.
They run towards me, and I stand my ground. I am distracted. I don’t see the bastard behind me until he slammed a gun on my head.
I fall to the ground, feeling blood drip down my neck. My vision blurs. I don’t get up in time. He pulls me up with one hand, slams me against the wall, and smiles. He punches me hard in the guts. Over and over again. Then, he wraps his hand around my throat.
I thrash in his hold, my hands flaring.
He laughs, speaking, mocking me.
I pretend to fall, to lose consciousness.
His hand loosens, giving me enough time to pull out my knife.
I shove it deep in his eyes.
Blood splashes on my hair.
He throws me away, and I hit the ground hard.
Pain racks through me, but I get up immediately.
My lungs constrict and my chest caves in.
“There she is,” I hear, hold my knife firmly.
I am surrounded. Four armed soldiers smile at me, staring at me like I am dinner.
My heartbeat has slowed. My head aches painfully. The exhaustion sinks into my bones, but this is a war I intend to win.
“What are you going to do now, princess? Your father is gone, and your husband, too. Come with us. Make this easier.” One of them says, wiping sweat from his forehead.
I snarl, hatred curdling in my belly, knives in my hands, “I’ll rather die.”
“As you wish.”