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“Together,” I whisper, feeling lighter than I have all day. Happier. Whole. Complete.
Just then, the distant crack of gunfire shatters the moment. I flinch, my heart lurching into my throat as I exchange an anxious look with Jasmine.
It's started. Frank has made his move.
I take Jasmine's hand, interlacing our fingers. She grips me tightly as we peer out from our hiding spot. Flickering lights and shouting voices echo through the decrepit warehouse. The confrontation we've been dreading is imminent.
“Perhaps if we can explain to Frank,” Jasmine tries negotiating against the circumstances. “You said he was a fair man.”
“Even fair men have their boundaries,” I mutter. “We’re on his turf, his territory. He won’t stand for this, no matter what.”
Jasmine meets my gaze, her eyes blazing with understanding. She gives a single, resolute nod. We both understand what must be done. The time for hiding and planning is over.
Together, we creep from the shadows. The evidence against my father is secured safely in Jasmine's pack. This ends tonight, one way or another.
Gunfire cracks again, closer now. We pause, listening. Frank's men sweep through the area, their orders clear - no one is to be allowed in or out. Jasmine squeezes my hand, bracing me. I squeeze back just as hard. We're stuck here and the only way out, is through a fight.
Chapter 39
The Ghost
Jasmine
Dario and I step out from behind the crates, hand in hand, praying against destiny. While I can sense Dario on edge, his worry for me seeping through in the strength of his grip over my fingers, I worry for our baby.
The baby Dario doesn't even know about as yet. I pray we make it out alive, for he deserves to know he's about to be a father.
We make our way toward the forested region on the right, hoping to find cover among the trees. We trudge through the uneven terrain, my heart racing with each step as we head towards the dark forest looming ahead.
Suddenly, a figure emerges from the shadows, his towering frame blocking our path. Frank's cold eyes bore into mine, sending shivers down my spine and causing my palms to sweat. I feel paralyzed with fear as we come face to face with the last person we want to be discovered by.
"Going somewhere?" he sneers, pointing a gun at Dario. The world around me narrows. I think I might faint.
All I can think about, right now, is my baby.
"Frank, don't do this," I plead, my voice shaking. But he doesn't seem to hear me; his focus remains locked on Dario.
Dario moves a step further, and pushes me behind him. "Get out of the way, Jasmine," Dario commands, his voice calm but firm. I know he's trying to protect me, but there's no way I'm letting him face this danger alone.
I move to my left, standing by Dario's side again.
"Jasmine, move!" Frank growls, his finger twitching on the trigger. I see the decision forming in his eyes, and I know that if I don't act now, it'll be too late.
In a split second, I make my choice. With all the determination I can muster, I step in front of Dario, shielding him with my body. My heart pounds violently against my ribcage, but I stand tall, refusing to let fear consume me.
"Jasmine, what are you doing?" Dario whispers, panic seeping through his usually composed demeanor.
"Frank, if you want him, you'll have to go through me," I say, staring the man down without flinching. The air around us crackles with tension, each second dragging on like an eternity.
"Are you insane?" Frank hisses, his grip on the gun tightening. "Move out of the way, or I swear I'll shoot."
"Go ahead," I challenge, my voice unwavering. "But you'll have to live with the fact that you killed an innocent woman and her unborn child to get to him."
For a moment, everything seems to freeze. Frank's eyes widen in disbelief, the gun in his hand wavering ever so slightly. Dario's grip on my shoulder tightens, and I can feel his shock radiating through me.
"Jasmine," he breathes, his voice barely audible. "Is that true?"
I nod, tears welling up in my eyes. "Yes, it's true. I just found out. So if you shoot me, Frank, you'll be killing a soon-to-come baby too."
