The Man Behind the Mask
537 Words
Part 2
Elena ran.
Her heart pounded as she raced through the dark alley, clutching the small black bag against her chest.
Behind her, footsteps echoed.
They were getting closer.
“Don’t let her escape!”
Elena glanced over her shoulder.
Three men were chasing her.
She had no idea who they were.
But she knew one thing.
They wanted her dead.
She turned sharply into another street, hoping to lose them.
A black car suddenly appeared in front of her.
Elena stopped.
The back door opened.
A man stepped out.
Tall.
Dressed completely in black.
His face was partly hidden beneath a dark mask.
Elena froze.
“Get in,” he ordered.
She shook her head.
“Who are you?”
The men behind her were almost there.
The stranger looked past her.
“You can either ask questions or stay alive. You don't have time for both.”
Elena hesitated.
A gunshot exploded behind her.
She screamed and jumped into the car.
The man followed and slammed the door.
“Drive!”
The driver stepped on the accelerator.
The car sped away.
Elena pressed herself against the seat, breathing heavily.
She looked at the stranger.
“Where are you taking me?”
He didn't answer.
“Who are you?”
Silence.
“Why did you save me?”
Finally, he turned toward her.
His eyes were cold.
“Because someone wants you dead.”
Elena swallowed.
“I already figured that out.”
For the first time, something almost like amusement appeared in his eyes.
“You're brave.”
“I'm terrified.”
“Good. Fear keeps people alive.”
Elena stared at him.
“Take off the mask.”
“No.”
“Then tell me your name.”
He leaned closer.
“Dante.”
Elena's blood ran cold.
She had heard that name before.
Everyone had.
Dante Romano.
The most feared man in the city.
The man rumored to control half of the underground world.
A mafia boss.
Elena slowly moved away from him.
“You're Dante Romano?”
His expression didn't change.
“Yes.”
She reached for the door handle.
Dante grabbed her wrist.
“Don't.”
“Let me go!”
“You don't understand.”
“What?”
Dante's eyes hardened.
“The people chasing you aren't ordinary criminals.”
Elena stared at him.
“Then who are they?”
Dante released her wrist.
“They belong to the organization that destroyed your family.”
Elena went completely still.
“My family?”
Dante looked at the black bag in her hands.
“You have something they want.”
Elena opened the bag.
Inside was an old photograph.
A photograph of her parents.
And behind them stood a man whose face had been scratched out.
Dante looked at it.
For the first time, his expression changed.
“You shouldn't have that.”
Elena looked at him.
“Why?”
Dante stared at the photograph.
“Because that man is the reason your mother disappeared.”
Elena's breath caught.
“My mother is dead.”
Dante slowly looked into her eyes.
“No.”
His voice dropped to a whisper.
“Your mother is alive.”
End of Part 2
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