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“I guess he was still inside then.” It was the only explanation since the outside was heavily guarded. There was no way he could have slipped out without any of them noticing.
“We will do rounds to check for any survivors.” Antonio informed me.
“Please, anyone who is severely injured, send them to get medical attention immediately. To the men who are well enough, let them search the area for Gaetano. He can’t have gotten far away.” I told Antonio, and the men nearby stood and listened to me as if I was their commander.
“Understood, Donna.” Antonio gave a firm nod, leaving me a bit taken aback by how he addressed me. He was Damiano’s right-hand man, and I saw him as someone superior.
“I need to get Damiano treated but update me on what’s happening. If you need anything, let me know, and I will have someone on their way.” I added, and Antonio ordered the men to get going.
“Look at you, ordering them around like a true Donna. They don’t even need me anymore.” I looked at Damiano and he gave me a half-smirk.
“Of course, they need you. And I need you, too.” I gave a small smile, helping him as we were led to a car.
I wanted to feel relieved that it was over, but I couldn’t until Gaetano was found. If he had gotten away, who knows what his plan would be next, and this could happen all over again.
I blinked a few times when something caught my attention. I looked ahead, focusing on the ground. The soil seemed softer there, and it appeared as if a section of the ground was moving upwards.
I stopped walking and kept my attention fixed on that spot.
“What’s wrong? Are you in pain?” Damiano asked, and I shook my head.
“Something is not right over there…” I trailed off, wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me because of exhaustion.
But they weren’t.
It suddenly shot up, and someone sprinted away.
“It’s Gaetano!” I shouted, pointing in his direction. My body tensed, ready to chase after him, but I stopped myself when I remembered I was supporting Damiano.
“Capture him! Alive!” Damiano commanded, and his men pursued Gaetano.
The loud gunshot echoed, causing everyone to freeze. I witnessed Gaetano falling to the ground, screaming in pain as he clutched his leg.
“Wait, what’s happening?” I frowned, recognizing familiar faces approaching from the other side.
Alexei and Nestor.
Alexei approached Gaetano with a scornful expression before shifting his gaze to Damiano. His men followed suit, aiming their guns at us.
I felt Damiano’s body tense, curses escaping under his breath as he pulled me behind him for cover. My heart started beating frantically as I assessed the situation. We were in no condition for another war, especially against Alexei.
“Now, you’re going to tell me where she is.” Alexei seethed through gritted teeth. “Where the hell is she?!” He roared, and the loud sound of rifles being racked filled the air.
I stepped out from behind Damiano.
“Althaia, get back!” I ignored Damiano’s plea, standing in front of him and his men with my arms wide open, attempting to cover and protect them in some way.
“Alexei…” I stepped closer to him, my heart pounding in my throat when one of his men turned attention to me, ready to fire. Alexei noticed and smashed the back of his rifle into the man’s face.
“Don’t fucking aim at her!” Alexei shouted, and Nestor barked something in Russian at them, causing their aim to shift away from me.
“I’m not sure what’s happening here, but I’ve already told you. My mother is gone.” My eyes flickered back and forth between him and Nestor. “If you want to know where she is buried, I can -”
“I will stop you right there. I went to the cemetery and dug up her casket.” He said, and I gaped at him in pure shock.
“You desecrated my mother’s grave?!” I yelled at him.
“No. Your mother was not in it.” Alexei looked at me with his stormy, piercing blue eyes.
