ENZO DE-LUCA.
My phone chimed as soon as I got out of my building and with a ferocity like never before, I stepped on the gas, accelerating with my heart racing as I hurried to the address Yvette had sent to me.
I should’ve asked my men to come with me but I was so worried to say a word to anyone and right now, I can feel the fear of losing my friends creeping in as I drove.
Nothing in this world, no amount of danger in this world scared me as much as having Yvette and Levi in danger, they’ve been the only ones for me.
They literally went out of their way to help me get out of so many traumatic events, they are the reason I’m strong enough to stare at so much blood without passing out or thinking about everything I went through and right now they’re in danger.
“DROP WHATEVER IT IS YOU’RE DOING AND MEET ME AT THE ADDRESS I SENT, COME PREPARED.” I ordered into the phone, my hands shaking as I sped up even more.
I’d tried calling Yvette back but despite how much her phone was ringing I got no response from her and it was the same for Levi too.
Closing my eyes for a couple seconds, the screeching sound of a truck’s tire jolted me out of my thoughts and I swerved to avoid crashing directly into the truck while continuing my drive like I hadn’t just come face to face with death.
After an hour of driving, I soon got to the address and it was an uncompleted building. Everywhere was a mess, people were dead already and I could hear more gunshots firing inside the building itself.
“We’re here, boss.” A voice pulled me out of my thoughts and I looked back to see my men, the squad I’d called while I was on my way here and like I’d asked, they all came prepared.
“Kill whoever and whatever you come across, Yvette and Levi are somewhere in there, I’ll find them and I need you guys to cover me.” I said, raising my hand.
They didn’t need me to spell what I wanted out for them before handing me my gun, it was an ACR 6. 8, fully loaded and ready for shooting.
Without thinking twice or even batting an eyelid, I made my way in as fast as I could and I was hit with the most unpleasant stench ever, a smell I hated but I’ve had to live with.
The smell of blood and gunpowder.
Inside was an even more mess than it was outside, there were lots of dead bodies and some I recognized to be a part of the squad I’d assigned to Levi and Yvette.
My teeth gritted as my grip around my gun tightened, I scanned the room quickly for Levi and Yvette but none of them was in sight.
I could feel my blood boiling and I could feel the metallic taste of blood at the tip of my tongue as I immediately joined in the shootout, shooting at the enemies while turning the dead bodies over as I silently prayed that neither of my best friends were there.
Stopping in one of the uncompleted rooms, I saw someone that I was sure looked like Levi and I felt the flames of anger spreading like wildfire inside me as I squatted and turned the body over.
Relief washed over me when I saw that it wasn’t my best friend but before I could stand and get out of there, I felt something hit the back of my shoulder, disorienting me for a few seconds.
My head felt light as blood gushed out and I felt the familiar pain in every part of my body as I turned to look at the face of the person that had thought it was going to be a good idea to sneak a shot at me.
I could see the fear stark and vivid in his eyes when I turned to face him and I knew that even he knew that he had made the biggest mistake of his life not taking that shot at my head.
“Bastard.” I spat as I pulled my gun up and shot him more than once before rushing out of the room. Desperation filled my entire being as different kinds of thoughts occupied my brain.
Where the hell are they?
The shooting had subsided and almost all of the enemies were dead already as I stood in the largest room in the uncompleted building. I’d searched everywhere but they were still nowhere to be found.
“Did you find them?” I asked my men when they met me in the room and they all shook their heads, not giving up, I stationed them in different parts of the building as I was aware of the fact that there were still enemies around.
Finally at the last room, I hadn’t gotten in when I felt a powerful tug pulling me into the room and I turned to see Yvette and Levi.
My heart stopped pounding as I stared at them smiling at me and although what I wanted to do was pull the both of them into a hug, I resorted to doing something else.
“What the fuck, guys?!” I yelled at them, they were both injured and bleeding profusely, “why did you have to do this without informing me?” I questioned.
“What happened? How did this happen and why didn’t any of you tell me until it got this fucking bad?!” I scolded while Yvette stared at the ground, holding the side of her stomach where I’m sure she’d been shot.
“I’m sorry, capo.” She apologized and knowing that she probably wanted to tell me but was forced into not telling me by a certain someone, I turned to face him.
“I didn’t think it was going to get this bad,” Levi started explaining, “one of our men sold us out and before we knew it a shootout was going on and I didn’t want to tell you because you’re still recovering from last Friday’s incident.” He paused and I sighed.
Still, they should have told me. Tons of things could have happened to them and like the last time, I wouldn’t have been able to save anyone.
“Enough talking but there’s a lot of talking to do when we get out of here,” I said as I shook my head to get the gory thoughts out, “for now, let’s just focus on taking these guys out.” I ordered.
“Right boss.” They said in unison and my eyes landed on Yvette’s injury, no matter how hard she wanted to, I knew she wouldn’t be able to fight like that.
“Sit this one out, Yvette, find your way out of here and get to my car, we cleared most of the areas already.” I added and just when she was about to protest, I barged out with Levi.
I felt bad for putting them in a position where they thought they couldn’t talk to me just because I’m still recovering from some flimsy injury.
The rest of the enemies were also prepared, firing guns and throwing grenades until I and the rest of the guys were in a pinch, we were all out of guns and most of our men were dead already.
“Everyone! RETREAT!” I ordered, knowing that my voice would get to the men that survived under the rubble, at least we were able to save the people we came here for.
The guys listened to me and instead of fighting back, they were all trying to make a run for it while I fought with every ounce of strength I had in me even though I felt like with each step I took, I was going to die.
“Enzo, you can’t take them on, let’s go.” Levi said behind me as five men approached us but the adrenaline coursing through me was too high for me to want to leave this fight.
I was out of ammunition but I was sure that I could take them on, “wait for me in the car,” I growled, my breathing starting to feel restrained, “Boss’ order.” I added.
With no other choice, Levi made a run for it and I felt satisfaction wash through me as I released the laughter that had been racking at my inside.
“You must be stupid to think you can take me down.” I yelled as the men all dashed at me at the same time, fighting them off was difficult but definitely not the most difficult thing I’ve had to do.
____________
Making my way out of the uncompleted building, I felt pains all over me and as soon as I stepped out Levi was still waiting for me although he was passed out on the floor, right in front of the car.
Breathing heavily, I helped him up and in the backseat of the car where Yvette was also passed out.
“Get yourselves checked and when you’re all better we need to have a meeting.” I choked out and they nodded, I watched as they drove off before I got into my car.
I could barely keep my eyes open but I wanted to get both of them to my doctor and it didn’t take long for me to arrive, the nurses all rushed to help at once.
“Mr De-Luca, you need to-”
“I’m fine, just take care of them.” I forced myself to speak and despite the doctor’s insistence, I went back into my car and drove off.
I felt achy and exhausted, weariness enveloped me as I tried to concentrate on my drive home but the more I tried, the harder it became to keep my eyes open.
Images of her beautiful face flashed through my mind and I felt myself getting fired up. I desperately want to get back home to her tonight.
My head was hazy, I could barely even see as I drove but all I could think about was Maeve.
How is she doing? What is she doing right now? Is she thinking about me?
I wanted to see her once again before whatever this is takes me away.