CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Vlad risked one last glance at Cora above them before he listened to what Alan had said. The whole building was surrounded. Alan had made some call to his friends. The police had been alerted on the money exchange. They would catch Mike and Vlad and his team would rescue Cora.
He was glad that Cora hadn’t been harmed. She looked okay but he wouldn’t be sure until he got a closer look at her. He wanted more than anything to race up to her and pull her against his chest but he knew he couldn’t.
“Perimeter is secure.”
“Copy that. Stand by and wait for signal,” Alan answered.
They paused by the stairs. “I’m going up to get her.”
“Vlad—”
“She’s standing right in the line of fire.”
“Fine,” Alan muttered. “Be alert.”
“Yes sir!”
Vlad knew that Alan was rolling his eyes at him without having to see his face. His smirk slipped from his lips when he started making his way up the stairs. He kept his gun raised and ready to fire encase someone decided to jump out from their hiding place. Vlad paused by the open door that led into the office. It was slightly ajar but he could hear no movement from inside.
Once glance at Cora assured him that she was still in the same place. He hesitated and then gestured for her to stay where she was. Vlad used the barrel of his gun to push the door open completely. The office was small with one old desk and a few chairs in the middle. No one was inside so he turned away towards Cora. His eyes kept darting around as he walked towards her.
“Are you here to save me?” she whispered as soon as he kneeled in front of her.
His lips twitched. “I made you a promise, hadn’t I?”
She blinked, once and then twice. Her eyes darted over his face. Vlad reached up and pulled the mask off. Surprise filled her eyes followed by tears. She reached up a shaky hand and pressed it against his cheek. Vlad leaned into her touch and fought the urge to close his eyes. It felt so good.
“No,” she croaked. “H-he s-shot you. I s-saw it.”
He lowered his gun and reached out to press his hand against hers on his cheek. Vlad realized how badly she was shaking. He gave in to the urge to pull her against his chest. Pain shot through him when she hugged him tightly. Pursing his lips, he held in the groan and held her tight. After a few seconds he pushed her away slightly.
“He missed the vest and any other vital organs.”
“Vlad—”
“I’ll answer all your questions when you’re back home. Where’s Mike?”
She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Vlad glanced around. They were in clear few of anyone who decided to walk around that corner. He pulled his mask down and picked up the gun. Straightening, he reached for her hand and pulled her up. Vlad led the way into the office where he pushed her inside ahead of him. He turned to close the door behind them.
“Stay away from the window.”
“Who was with you?” she questioned. “How did you know how to find me?”
“Alan’s with me along with some of our friends we made during the years.” Before he could answer her second question he heard muttered curses in his ear piece.
He froze and tilted his head to the side slightly as he waited for them to elaborate. A few seconds later Alan spoke up. “Mike’s still in the building. There are at least twelve men with him.”
“How badly are they armed?” He held up his finger to silence Cora when her lips parted. “Is he armed?”
“They’re armed. I don’t see any weapons on him.” Alan paused. “Mike is here Vlad. He didn’t go to pick up the money like he said he would.”
“Fuck!” Vlad reached up and ripped the mask off.
“Did he know that we were coming?” Alan asked softly. “Did we just walk into a trap?”
Vlad turned back to Cora. He took two strides until he reached her. Without saying a word he reached out and gripped the thin chain around her neck. Vlad pulled the pendant out from beneath her shirt and stared down at it. Had Mike known that he was tracking her? Was Alan right, had they walked right into Mike’s trap? Was he going to be the reason that innocent people died again?
“Vlad?”
He stepped closer and reached behind her to unclasp the chain. Walking over to the table, he placed the pendant down and opened it. He pulled some small pliers from the pocket of his pants and gently removed the small photo inside. Vlad stared down at the tracker. Was it possible that Mike had seen it? Or was he completely unaware of it even being there.
“Fall back,” Vlad ordered Alan.
“I—”
“Do as I say Alan,” he snarled. “I’m not dragging innocent people down with me again. If this is a trap then I’m going to get Cora out of here alive, on my own.”
There was no reply from Alan. Vlad hoped that Alan had listened to him. Vlad pushed the photo back in place and snapped the pendant close. He picked it up and turned to Cora. Her eyes were wide. He gave her a small smile and tied the chain back around her neck.
“I’ll explain later.”
On impulse he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. Vlad reluctantly pulled away. He reached for his gun as his eyes darted around the office. They were hidden from sight but not very well covered. Bullets could pierce the walls and hit either of them. Vlad was wearing a bulletproof vest and Cora not. The sooner they got out, the better.
“You need to stay behind me sweetheart, understand?”
She nodded. Vlad reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. Gripping the door handle he slowly opened it. Vlad leaned forward to glance around. It was clear. Vlad’s heartbeat increased as she made their way towards the stairs. He could feel Cora close behind him.
Vlad raised his gun as they stepped into the open. Everything was dead silent. One sound and it would echo, instantly alerting Mike and his men. Sweat beaded his forehead and upper lip. He had a bad feeling. Cora’s hand brushed his lower back for a second before it was gone. He heard her gasp. Vlad spun around with his gun aimed but he reacted too late.
A hit to the temple had him dropping to his knees and another hit made black dots appear. The third hit knocked him out cold.




A slap to the face had his eyes snapping open.
Vlad blinked and slowly raised his head. The first thing he noticed was that all his weapons had been removed and that his wrists were tied tightly together behind his back. Two men stood close behind him and Mike right in front of him. Mike moved slightly, giving him a glimpse of Cora.
She sat on a chair across from him. Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap and her eyes were focused on the floor. Mike hadn’t tied her to the chair. His fear rose a notch. He was planning something.
Vlad shifted in his chair, making it creak. So it was wood—easily breakable to free himself.
“Look who’s finally awake,” Mike said. “I was starting to get worried De Luca. Thought I might have hit you a little too hard.”
Vlad risked a glance at Cora. She was staring right at him. He managed a small smile for a few seconds before it slipped from his face.
“I should’ve known you would pull something like this.”
Vlad glanced up at Mike. “You were suppose to pick up your money yourself.”
“So the cops could arrest me?” Mike smiled coldly at him. “Where’s my money?”
Vlad licked his lips and stayed silent. He smiled inwardly when Mike muttered under his breath. The hit he got was expected. His head snapped to the side as Mike’s fist connected with his cheek. Blood instantly filled his mouth. Spitting the blood from his mouth, he turned his head to stare back up at Mike.
“You should’ve sticked to the original deal, Williams,”
Mike suddenly turned towards Cora, making him tense. If he touched her. . .
“Does she know that you’re responsible for the death of ten policemen and almost forty innocent civilians?” Mike stared down at Cora with a raised eyebrow. “Did he tell you honey? Did he tell you that he’s a drug addict and an alcoholic? He owns some very bad people a lot of money.”
Vlad’s fists clenched when Cora’s eyes snapped over to his. Her eyes were blank except for the flashes of fear he saw every few seconds. Now wasn’t the time to worry about what she thought about him. The only thing he needed to be worried about was getting her out alive.
“I decided to call some of your friends.” He glanced down at his watch. “They should be here any minute now to pick you up.”
His time was running out. Mike gave a nod to the men behind him. One of them walked off and disappeared through a door. Vlad caught Cora’s eyes. He gave her a wink before glancing up at Mike. Surprise filled him when Cora suddenly jumped up from her chair and onto Mike’s back. Guess she had her own plans.
Vlad stood and moved into the path of the man that made a run for Cora. He stumbled slightly when the chair connected with the man’s body. It broke easier than he thought it would. He dodged a hit from the man and managed to get a kick in. The man groaned and stumbled backwards. He reached for his gun but Vlad was faster.
A gun shot rang out through the warehouse. It was followed by a few others. The fight between Vlad and the man continued until a small hole appeared in the man’s forehead. He dropped to the ground a second later. Vlad instantly turned around, searching for Cora. It was chaos around him. He recognized the uniform Alan had picked out for them. So his friend never left.
“She’s down!” someone suddenly yelled.
His eyes darted around until it fell on a man kneeling next to Cora. His heart dropped to his stomach when he saw the blood pooling around her body. Vlad hurried forward and dropped down next to her. His hand gripped hers and leaned over her.
Her eyes snapped to his. Cora blinked up at him with tear filed eyes. He risked a glance down her body.
“Have you called an ambulance?” Alan asked as he dropped down next to Vlad.
“It’s on its way.”
“Go and direct them.” Alan gripped his shoulder. “Give me your shirt.”
Please don’t take her away from me.
“Vlad! Give me your shirt!”
Alan’s harsh words snapped him out of his shock. He hurriedly removed his shirt and handed it over to him. Vlad stared at Alan as he ripped the material before turning his attention back to Cora. He leaned over her again and pressed a shaky hand against her pale cheek.
“Stay with me,” he rasped. “Do you hear me baby? I need you to stay with me. I can’t lose you.”
Leaning down, he pressed his lips against her forehead, her nose and then her lips. Cora gave him a shaky smiled.
“Love you,” she whispered.
He managed a small smile. “I love you. Don’t leave me.”
Cora’s hold on his hand loosened. Her eyes fluttered closed and then open again for a few seconds. Vlad got to stare into her peculiar eyes for a few more seconds before they fluttered close again.
But this time she didn’t open them again.