19
1230 Words
Sophia's POV
My arms ached as the rope ascended into the chopper. The noise from the blades hammered through my head making the throbbing pain buried deep within to grow worse. The world felt like it was spinning. The wind hit harder the higher I went, making my body sway lightly in the air.
Halfway up, my injured arm trembled violently and my fingers started slipping.
"Sophia!" I heard Lorenzo's panicked voice scream from below.
Panic shot through me and for one terrifying second my fingers loosened completely. The ground below blurred and tilted as my body swung sideways.
No.
I clenched my fingers again with the last bit of strength I had left. The rope jerked upward faster as the team above pulled harder. Strong hands suddenly grabbed and hauled me over the edge of the helicopter onto the metal floor.
The moment I landed inside, I heaved a sigh of relief and my strength disappeared completely. My body slumped against the seat as someone pressed something cold against my forehead.
“Head wound,” a voice said somewhere nearby.
I barely registered the words.
My eyes drifted toward the open door just as Lorenzo began climbing up the rope. Even through the haze I could see how fast he was moving. Within seconds, he was pulled into the helicopter beside me. His boots hit the metal floor and he crouched beside me immediately.
"Sophia." His voice was tight with concern.
My eyes opened and closed groggily. I tried to smile to reassure him but my face felt numb.
“Stay awake, tesoro,” he said quietly.
My head leaned against his shoulder before I could stop it. Strangely, itt felt safe there. The helicopter suddenly tilted as it changed direction. Through the roaring blades and rushing wind, I heard Lorenzo speak to the pilot.
“Take us to the safehouse.”
I didn't even realize he had climbed up. The helicopter headed to the safe house deep in theountains. I kept slipping in and out of consciousness the entire time. Someone kept pressing gauze against my forehead because they needed to keep pressure on the wound.
Lorenzo's arms tightened around me holding me steady each time the helicopter tilted. I could feel him growing antsy with each passing second.
"How much more till we get there?" He bit out impatiently.
"Our ETA, is currently five minutes out. We'll get there soon, boss. Just a little more time." Cobra assured.
The cold wind from the open side door brushed against my face. I shivered slightly. Lorenzo noticed immediately.
“Close the door,” he ordered one of the men.
The metal door slammed shut with a heavy clang. The wind faded, leaving only the roar of the helicopter. He drew his arms tighter around me.
"You're freezing." He noted.
I smiled trying to assure some reassurance.
"I'm fine." I answered weakly.
“You’re bleeding, concussed, and barely conscious,” he replied flatly. “You are not fine.”
Even through the pain, a small smile tugged at my lips. But he didn't smile back. Instead, his jaw tightened as he glanced down at the blood staining his shirt, my blood. Something dark flashed in his eyes before he looked away. Suddenly, the helicopter started descending.
"We're here." Cobra announced.
The vibration changed, becoming heavier as the aircraft lowered toward the ground.
“Landing now,” the pilot announced.
My eyelids fluttered open as the helicopter door slid open again. Bright floodlights blinded me for a second. The safehouse loomed ahead of us hidden beneath the trees and the thick sky. It was large and in the middle of a dense forest. No one would find us here. I thought to myself. Not even by accident.
Men in dark clothing ran towards the helicopter as it was touching down. Lorenzo was already on the move. The moment the skids hit the ground, he slid an arm under my knees and the other one behind my back. He hurriedly carried me out of the chopper.
"Where's the doctor?" He asked immediately he stepped out.
The men surrounded us trying to take me from him but he refused to hand me over.
"The doctor's already inside." One of them answeredeading the way.
Lorenzo rushed inside. The sudden movements made my head pound harder. The doctor rushed forward to meet us rolling a bed along.
"Put her here." He instructed.
Reluctantly, Lorenzo placed me on the bed. The moment his hands left me, I somehow felt colder. The doctor began examining my wound carefully.
“This is going to sting,” he warned.
Before I could ask what he meant, a sharp burning sensation spread across my forehead.
“Ow—!” I hissed, gripping the edge of the bed.
“Hold still,” the doctor said calmly.
Lorenzo moved closer immediately.
“Easy,” he murmured.
His hand found mine without hesitation, his fingers wrapping around it in a firm grip.
The pain slowly faded as the doctor cleaned the cut.
“She’s lucky,” the doctor said after a moment. “Another inch deeper and we’d be having a very different conversation.”
I felt Lorenzo's grip tighten on my palm.
"Will she be okay?" He asked.
The doctor nodded taking off his gloves. "A mild concussion with some blood loos and deep bruising. Nothing major. She'll be fine soon."
The tension in the room seemed to ease slightly at his words. I leaned back against the pillow, exhaustion creeping into my bones. The adrenaline rush from the chase earlier started to die down slowly. I saw the doctor put on fresh gloves and began bandaging my forehead. He kept glancing at Lorenzo as if he was in the way but didn't say anything. The demeanor of the mafia lord was intimidating enough.
"She needs rest." The doctor said firmly. "Let her sleep."
Lorenzo didn't move. Instead he pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat so he could watch me.
"I'm not going anywhere." He said stubbornly.
"Go with the doctor so he can take a look at your wounds too." I said trying to get him to leave. He shook his head.
In that instant the door burst open and cobra stormed through. I jumped at the sound and the doctor cursed. He sighed and shook his head.
"Boss." Cobra called.
"What is it?" Lorenzo asked without taking his eyes off me.
"I think you should see this. Something I pulled off from one of our attackers back in the woods."
That got Lorenzo's attention immediately. He kissed me on the forehead and finally got up. The doctor heaved a sigh of relief when he saw they were leaving. But they didn't go away completely. Cobra stood by the door and pulled out a dog tag.
"Look at the sigil inscribed on it." He handed the dog tag to Lorenzo.
Lorenzo turned it over in his palm staring intently at it. I could see the moment his composure snapped and was replaced with murderous intent.
"This belongs to the Romanos. It's their family sigil." Lorenzo stated.
Cobra nodded in agreement.
"They were behind the assault."
Lorenzo's jaw ticked angrily. He turned back to look at me and I saw the darkness clouding his features.
"So, Viktor just declared war and I will answer with blood." He swore.
- Writer
