The Devil's Offer (part 2)
550 Words
The SUV sped through the rain-soaked streets, its engine roaring as another black vehicle closed in behind them.
"Left!" the driver shouted.
The SUV swerved sharply, throwing Amelia against the leather seat.
She clutched Victor's briefcase to her chest.
"What do they want from me?" she demanded, her voice shaking.
Dante didn't answer immediately.
His eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.
"They don't want you," he finally said.
"They want what you're carrying."
"I don't even know what's in it."
"I believe you."
Amelia looked at him in disbelief.
"You... believe me?"
"I believe you don't know the whole truth."
Before she could respond, a loud bang echoed through the night.
Another bullet struck the rear of the SUV.
The driver cursed under his breath.
"They're getting closer, Boss."
Dante calmly reached for a small radio.
"Unit Three, block the eastern exit."
A voice crackled through the speaker.
"On our way."
Amelia stared at him.
"You planned this?"
"I planned for the possibility that someone would come after you."
"You knew?"
"I knew Victor was running out of time."
Her heart sank.
"You could have saved him."
A shadow crossed Dante's face.
"No."
"I tried."
Silence settled between them.
For the first time since meeting him, Amelia saw something other than confidence in his eyes.
Regret.
The convoy shot beneath an overpass.
Two more black SUVs suddenly appeared from a side street.
Instead of chasing Dante's vehicle, they moved to block the attackers.
The sound of screeching tires filled the air.
"What are they doing?" Amelia whispered.
"Buying us time."
The driver accelerated.
Within seconds, the gunfire faded into the distance.
Only the rain remained.
After several more minutes, the SUV slowed as enormous iron gates opened ahead.
Beyond them stood a breathtaking estate surrounded by high stone walls and armed security.
The mansion looked less like a home and more like a fortress.
The gates closed behind them with a heavy metallic clang.
"We're here," the driver said.
Amelia looked from the mansion to Dante.
"I'm not staying."
Dante stepped out of the SUV and adjusted his coat.
"You are."
"You can't force me."
He turned to face her.
"No."
"But if you walk out of these gates tonight..."
His voice was calm, almost gentle.
"...you'll be dead before sunrise."
Amelia searched his face, trying to decide whether he was threatening her...
...or warning her.
She couldn't tell.
One of Dante's men approached in a black suit.
"Boss."
Dante looked at him.
"What is it?"
The guard lowered his voice.
"We searched the briefcase while securing the scene."
Amelia's eyes widened.
"You searched my things?"
The guard ignored her.
"One document is missing."
Dante's expression hardened.
"Which one?"
"The last page."
"The page containing the final name."
A heavy silence followed.
Dante slowly turned toward Amelia.
"I told you this wasn't over."
Before Amelia could ask what he meant, another guard ran toward them.
"Boss!"
"What now?"
The guard's face was pale.
"We've just received a message."
Dante took the phone from him.
As he read the screen, his expression changed for the first time that night.
He looked up at Amelia.
"They've found your aunt."
Amelia felt the blood drain from her face.
"What... what do you mean?"
Dante slipped the phone into his pocket.
"It means..."
- Writer
