MAVERICK
I paced in the basement, which was literally a bunker. One reason was that I felt claustrophobic. Second, I was worried about the guys who went to the compound. I hoped they had the element of surprise, or they could have walked into the trap.
I checked my phone. No service. “There’s no service down here.”
“So if we got locked up here, no one could find us? What if there’s a massive earthquake, and this villa falls down? We’re stuck, die in hunger and suffocation?”
“If there’s a massive earthquake, we’re likely to be dead drowning from a tsunami, baby. Remember, the villa is facing the ocean.” He held my hand, pulling me on his lap.
“Jeez. You’re not helping. Can you be a little more optimistic?”
“Sit down. It’s only been twenty minutes.”
I released a shaky breath as I sat on his lap. “I should have been out there, helping them. This wouldn’t have-”
“Okay. Okay. This is not your fault. Your father has been doubtful about Giosue’s loyalty and is investigating his corruption. Don’t blame yourself for something you did not do.”
“I still want to go up and check for the updates.”
“I know. I feel useless down here while we could have done something upstairs.” I knew he was also worried about his cousin and the men raiding the compound and extracting Celestina, and I was more worried that they might be too late to save her.
I felt defeated. I lay down in the small bed, trying to push away those terrible ideas in my head. Lake came, lay down next to me, and pulled me into his arms.
I put my hand on his chest and said the obvious, “I still can’t believe my brother and my father are alive.”
He chuckled. “For how many times I wanted to punch your brother, but seeing him alive today, I was so relieved and somewhat happy that he did not die.”
I lifted my gaze, and he was looking down at me. “For a second, I think you’re gonna be best friends.”
“Me and your brother?” He arched his eyebrows. “Best friends? I don’t think so. We have different beliefs, and we have nothing in common. He’s a-”
“A criminal who broke many laws and probably killed many people. I know.”
His face changed as if he didn’t mean what he said. He was right, though- my father and my brother were criminals who ran a powerful organized crime underground businesses.
“You can’t get involved in this, Lake. You have to get away from them once this is over. You have so much to lose.”
“I don’t care about anything if I know you’re not safe.”
“You can’t-”
“I can’t what, Maverick?”
You can’t be with me. My words were at the tip of my tongue, but seeing him look hurt, I took it back.
“I hope no one can connect us to my father. My father’s identity can not get out to the public. I wouldn’t be the only one in trouble, but you too.”
“I know, baby, but one problem at a time.”
I yawned and closed my eyes. I might have fallen asleep and jolted up when there seemed to be loud noises outside.
“Babe?” I wasn’t fully awake, but watching Lake prepare his handgun and heading towards the door, I got up from bed and took the gun inside the drawer.
“What are you doing?”
“I thought I heard something.” I shrugged because I didn’t know what I was doing other than following him. “Shouldn’t a bunker be bulletproof and soundproof?”
“Not necessarily. It depends on the design. Maybe an apocalyptic bunker is.”
“How long was I out?”
“Twenty minutes or so.”
“And you did not wake me up?” I was startled, sucking a breath as the muffled gunfire erupted.
Adrenaline rushed. Dread and terror resurfaced. My heart was in my throat, and I started to sweat. I might as well have a panic attack.
Lake and I looked at each other. We were literally useless since we didn’t have military training. Maybe that was the reason they stuffed us here. We could be a burden instead of a help.
“You need that powerful nap.” His eyes landed on the door lock and swallowed hard. I felt that he was also nervous and scared.
“Don’t. We have to wait for the five knocks, remember?”
“I know, but I can help. I can’t stay here while they fight with Giosue’s men.”
Worried about his drastic decision, I grabbed him by his elbow. “I did not hear the alarm.”
“So did I.”
“Don’t go out, please?” I looked at him in the eye. I could not fake that I was not afraid. I was terrified, and my limbs were shaking.
“Baby, stay here. No matter what, don’t-”
“No!” I gritted my teeth. “I will go with you wherever you go. You and I stuck together.”
“Baby, they need my help.”
“They don’t.” I widened my eyes and gripped him tightly. “We go together, or we don’t.”
“For once, listen to me. At least one of us should make it out of here alive,” he said calmly but dead serious, and I stared at him, my eyes wide and blurred with unshed tears.
“Don’t leave me, please? I’m scared.” It was hard to form words when I could hardly breathe. My chin trembled no matter how hard I bit my bottom lip.
Another gunfire, a different sound, and it always startled me.
When he started unlocking the door, I shook to cry.
“Maverick, look at me, my love.” He lifted my chin up. He looked scared as well. “I will come for you. I promise.”
I nodded even if my heart didn’t agree with his decision.
Then he pressed his lips against mine, kissing me hard. “Lock the door and go back there once I’m out. Stay in the bathroom. Don’t ever come out until I call your name.”
It felt like all I could do was nod.
The door unlocked, and he peeked outside, and the gunfire became more earsplitting loud. Once he got out, I stopped breathing.
My heart beat so hard. I did as he said, double-locked the door, and went to the bathroom even if I thought of going after him. For once, I obeyed my husband.
I started to cry inside the bathroom, alone, scared, and feeling like the walls were moving in my direction, crashing me. I dragged myself down, put the gun down beside me, and covered my face.
I sobbed harder, scared of what would happen on the other side of the door, until I couldn’t breathe anymore.
I sucked in a breath, cleared my head as I tried to pull myself together. I wiped my face with the back of my hands and got up. I washed away the tears, blew my nose, and wiped my face clean.
Drawing a deep breath, I grabbed the gun on the floor before I went out and stayed close to the door.
I didn’t hear gunfire anymore. My stomach suddenly twisted. There were only two meanings to this. Either they eliminated the intruder, or I felt like I wanted to cry again, but I forced myself to calm down.
Then I heard a click. I gulped down a few heavy breaths, praying and hoping to hear five knocks.
Then tears streaked down my face when it did not happen. All my hopes crumbled down.