Page 117 of Crowned In Blood
"Good. Once we leave, I want you both to wait twenty minutes, then pick a group of four men and send them after us. Make sure they keep their distance. We don't know what we're walking into, but they're our contingency plan if something goes wrong."
"We will take care of it," Joseph said.
I gave them a curt nod, and they stepped away, leaving Catalina and me alone.
She squeezed my hand, interlacing our fingers. "We should go reload."
I followed her and strapped myself with everything I could think of. Then we slid into an SUV.
I started the car, but when I went to put it in gear, Catalina stopped me, squeezing my hand. Her grip was warm, firm. I wanted to hold her, rest my head in the crook of her neck. Feel her fingers run through my scalp, until every ounce of fear left me, but I couldn't, not until this was over.
"Ready?" she asked.
I turned her hand in mine, studying the differences. Hers was so small compared to my own, her skin a tanned shade of gold that was darker, luscious, the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. "Lina, I haven't opened myself up or shared my vulnerabilities with anyone since my parents were killed. Not until you. So I need you to stay safe. If you need to run, run. If you need to fight, fight. If you need to leave me behind?—"
"I won't do that, Marco. Don'teverask me to again."
I sighed.
"Marco—"
"I love you, Catalina. So if I'm lacking, take care of yourself for me. You own everything that I am, and I won't lose you."
"You won't. Youwon't," she said again, firmly. Her voice held so strong and sure that without another word, I threw the car in drive.
I didn't know how tonight would end, but my Catalina would make it home safely. No matter what, I had to sacrifice in her place.
The buzzingin the back of my mind grew louder and louder every mile we drove.
I scanned the road at every stop and turn. There were no obvious signs of danger—no one was trailing us and anyone we passed never paid us more than a second of attention before moving on with their night. It was all seemingly normal.
Still, the nagging sense of dread grew.
Catalina placed her hand over mine, and it was only then I realized how hard I had been clenching the gearshift. I turned my hand to hold her own and glanced over at her. She gave me a soft, reassuring smile, then resumed scanning our surroundings.
She was just as alert as I was, her body coiled, ready to react at the first sign of a threat, and while I wished she were somewhere else,anywhereelse, her presence gave me strength.
I checked the time on the dashboard. Anthony should have already arrived at the bunker. Normally, he'd call once a situation had been resolved, but it was odd he hadn't confirmed he'd found the women. Were there more guards than we expected? More traps? Had something happened to him?
Catalina squeezed my hand again, and I took a deep breath. Worrying like this wasn't like me, and I didn't have enough information to anticipate what might happen. If I didn't calm myself down, I could make a mistake that would bring my worst fears to life.
As we turned down the secluded road leading to the bunker's hidden entrance, my anxiety shifted into a full-blown scream inside my skull. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white.
Then I saw it—one of our SUVs was ahead, engulfed in flames. A sudden bit of silver caught my eyes, and I slammed on the brakes, throwing my arm out in front of Catalina to keep her from hitting the dashboard. The tires squealed as we skidded to a stop just short of a spike strip laid across the road.
"Are you okay?" I cupped Catalina's face, looking her over.
She patted her chest and took a deep breath. "I'm fine."
I put the SUV into park. "Stay here in case that vehicle is going to explode."
Her eyes narrowed, but then she pressed her lips together in a tight line and gave me a single nod.
I drew my gun, slowly approaching the SUV, keeping a safe distance. The smell of charred metal, human flesh, and smoke burned my nostrils.
As I grew closer, I counted four bodies, and one of them had been driving—Anthony. Bullet holes riddled the side of the SUV and penetrated through the armored exterior.
They never stood a chance. I shouldn't have sent him.
