Not wanting to be here any longer I spin, running down the hallway and up the stairs. “Liliana,” he calls out after me, which I ignore. Pushing myself forward as I hear the sounds of Nico’s feet falling closely behind as he tries to catch up to me. Reaching the top of the stairs I throw open the door. Weaving and shoving my way through the mass of bodies on the dance floor to get to the other side. Glancing back I see Nico a little ways back still trying to get through where my smaller frame was easily able to weave in between. Dashing out the door I am relieved to see the taxi still waiting for me out front. Thank you!
Grabbing hold of the door, I jerk it open throwing myself inside. The driver clearly startled at my quick entrance. “Go!” I yell out looking back out the window expecting Nico to be coming out any second. The driver doesn’t waste any time as he floors the gas peeling out onto the road and into traffic. Daring a peek back I see Nico has finally come out, speaking on the phone in his hand as he watches the taxi drive away.
“How did it go?” I don’t answer as he glances back seeing the fallen expression on my face. “I’m sorry dear.” He turns his attention back up front shaking his head. “So where to now?”
Where exactly? I ponder as I think over my options. I won’t go home. Maybe I can get a hotel room for the night at least. I’m sure it's only a matter of time before Nico tears the city apart to find me and drag me back home. Looking into my wallet I pull out only a couple twenties and some tens. “How about just a cheap hotel somewhere?” Knowing I can only use cash, because as soon as I pull out a card Nico will be there within minutes. The driver nods as he changes our route heading south at my instructions.
I lean back, closing my eyes trying to force the image of Nico on Alice’s lips as I hear the driver mumble under his breath.
“Ever heard of not riding someone's ass.” I look up seeing his eyes in the rearview mirror looking back at a car behind us. Turning around I see a blacked out SUV closer to us than needed.
Oh no. He couldn’t have already caught up with us. A sudden slam on the brakes causes my body to shoot forward before being jerked back by the lock of the seatbelt. After shaking off the sudden whiplash I look forward out the windshield to see the cause of our sudden halt. Another SUV had pulled out in front of us stopping us in the middle of the road.
“What the fuck.” The driver lets out a frustrated grumble. Whipping my head back around I see a man climbing out of the SUV behind us. Unease triggers inside and I instantly know something is wrong.
This isn’t Nico’s men. I glance back around to the front. The driver begins to roll down his window to yell out at the men to move.
“NO DON’T!” I yell out, he looks back at me with concern before turning back to the window where a gun is now sticking through the small crack against his head.
In an instant the trigger is pulled. The deafening crack of the gunshot rings in my ears at close proximity, causing my hearing to be muffled. I hear a faint scream through my buzzing ears before I realize it is my own. Looking down I am covered in blood and debris. The backdoor where I am sitting is ripped open before large hands reach out to me. Jerking to the opposite side as I am stopped by the seat belt I still have on.
Gripping my arms tightly he unclicks the belt before ripping me out of the car. I stumble against him at the force, leaving my arm burning at the jerk on my body. I try to pull away. Kicking and thrashing out at the man whose hold doesn't budge. He spins me, using his body he forces me into the side of the taxi. Pinning my body against the frame of the door he grips my hands, tying them agonizingly tight behind my back. Turning me to him he reaches down as his cold, rough hands graze the bare skin on my lower thighs before he hoists me up, throwing me over his shoulder.
Carrying me back to the car he came from I whip and thrash around but to no avail. Opening the door he throws me in before climbing in next to me. Not willing to give up I throw my body and head back. A throb echoes in the back of my head as I make contact with the man’s face, hearing a sickening crunch in the wake of my skull.
His hold on me releases as he roars out in pain. “You fucking bitch!” I turn my head to glance at him just in time, allowing him to make perfect contact of his elbow against my temple. A pain erupts in my head as my vision instantly goes black. The last thing I feel is my body slumping over before all of my senses are gone.
29
NICOLI
One hour earlier.
I don’t lower my gun as I wait for Alice to explain what the hell she is doing in my office.
