WHEN SAFETY SHATTERS
542 Words
The first gunshot echoed through the safehouse like thunder.
Amina flinched, her hands flying to her ears as she ducked instinctively. The sound came from outside—sharp, deliberate, unmistakable.
Gunfire.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
She rushed to the door, gripping the handle, then stopped. Luca’s voice echoed in her head.
Stay here.
Another shot rang out. Then shouting.
Amina backed away from the door, panic rising fast and hot. Her mind raced. This is my fault. This is because of me.
The door burst open.
“Move. Now.”
Luca was there, gun in hand, jaw tight, eyes blazing with fury and focus. He grabbed her wrist—not rough, but firm—and pulled her toward the far end of the corridor.
“What’s happening?” she demanded, struggling to keep up.
“They found us,” he said. “Matteo pushed too hard.”
As if summoned by his name, an explosion rocked the building. Dust fell from the ceiling. Alarms screamed to life.
Amina cried out as Luca shoved her behind a concrete pillar, placing his body between her and the chaos.
“Stay down,” he ordered.
She crouched, knees pulled to her chest, heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
Men shouted in Italian. Footsteps thundered. Gunfire cracked again—closer this time.
Amina peeked around the pillar just as Luca fired twice, precise and controlled. One of the attackers fell. Another retreated, cursing.
She stared.
Luca didn’t hesitate. Didn’t flinch.
This wasn’t new to him.
A sharp pain exploded in her arm as glass shattered nearby. She gasped.
Luca turned instantly. “Are you hit?”
“I—I don’t think so,” she said, shaking.
Blood trickled down her sleeve—just a scratch. But Luca’s expression darkened like a storm rolling in.
“That’s it,” he said coldly. Into his earpiece, he barked, “Clear the east wing. We’re leaving. Now.”
“What?” Amina protested. “Leaving where?”
“Somewhere they won’t find you,” he replied, already pulling her up.
They raced through a side corridor, emergency lights flashing red. Andrei met them halfway, weapon raised.
“Boss, we can hold—”
“No,” Luca snapped. “Not with her here.”
Andrei hesitated. “But the strategy—”
“I don’t care about strategy,” Luca said, cutting him off. “I care about her.”
Amina’s breath caught.
They burst out into the night air, engines roaring as SUVs lined the back exit. Luca opened the rear door and practically pushed her inside before sliding in after her.
The car peeled away just as another explosion tore through the warehouse behind them.
Amina stared out the window, shaking violently.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “This is happening because of me.”
Luca turned to her.
“No,” he said firmly. “This is happening because Matteo forgot one thing.”
She looked at him.
“That I don’t lose what I protect.”
His hand closed around hers—steady, grounding.
For the first time since that night, Amina believed him.
And somewhere in the darkness behind them…
the war had officially begun.
- Writer
