Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33804 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Phoenix is lying on the ground, eyes open, a bullet wound in his forehead.
"Oh, God!" I scream, crawling over to him.
"He's gone, angel," Xavier says.
"He can't be!" I cry, tears running down my face. "Oh, no. What have you done?"
"I told you, angel. No one can take you from me."
I look up at Xavier, his face impassive.
"Did you do this?"
"No," he hisses.
Do I believe him? I'm not sure.
"I didn't even get to say goodbye," I sob as I let my fingers linger over Phoenix's bloody face.
"Tallulah, we have to go. We can't stay here any longer. It's not safe," he insists.
"I don't care," I quip back, and my husband steps away to give me some privacy. At least he's not trying to argue this time. "Phoenix..."
I stare at the man who was my ally for years. Phoenix worked with my father, knew him since they were both kids. Phoenix was my only link to my family in this place. Except Xavier can never know that. I lean down and kiss him on the forehead, and then turn to leave.
Xavier holds out his hand and helps me up. "I'm sorry, Tallulah."
"Don't be. We both knew it would end this way once your brother got closer."
He tightens his lips and doesn't say a word.
We run for the door and Xavier opens it for me. There's a black SUV waiting outside and we hurry towards it. Saul is waiting in the driver's seat, and I let out a breath. At least he's still here.
"Get in," Saul orders.
"Go," Xavier urges.
Saul steps on the gas and the tires squeal. Nobody speaks, and I glance in the rearview mirror. I see people pouring out of the mansion, armed and ready. They fire at the SUV and it jerks wildly.
"Fuck!" Saul curses.
"Drive, drive!" Xavier yells.
Bullets hit the vehicle, and the window shatters, raining glass on us. I scream and cover my head with my hands. Xavier is shouting something, and the sound of gunfire fills the air. Saul makes a wild turn, and the car skids.
"Hold on!" he yells.
He drives faster, and the bullets stop. When I look back, the house is growing smaller and smaller, and no one is following.
"Are we okay?" I ask, breathing hard.
"Not yet," Saul says.
"They won't follow," Xavier assures me.
"Why not?"
"Because they have bigger problems now." I glance at Xavier, my eyes narrowing. He motions to the cars passing us, driving straight to the mansion. "Your father is here."
I see he's right as I notice a small serpent marker on one of the cars racing by us in the opposite direction. We ride in silence, and my thoughts are racing. Xander's attack seems to have finally brought my father and Xavier together. For how long, I'm not sure.
Xavier's grip on my leg is firm and reassuring, and I lean into his body.
"Tallulah, are you alright?"
"I think so," I murmur, closing my eyes. Even when I should only see calming darkness, Phoenix's lifeless face flashes before me, and I stifle a sob.
"Everything is going to be fine, angel," Xavier whispers.
"Promise?" I ask.
"I promise."
I don't know whether I should believe him, but I don't have much choice.
We drive for an hour, until we're far away from the mansion. Eventually, Saul pulls onto a dirt path. We haven't seen another car in at least forty minutes.
Saul screeches the brakes and rushes us out of the car. We're in a deserted wasteland - there's nothing but plains and dirt with some dry shrubbery for miles. Amidst it, a helicopter awaits, and I let out a relieved cry when I see one of Xavier's men barely holding back Zeus and Hades, who are scratching at the scorched earth, eager to be reunited with us.
"This way!" the man yells, pointing towards the aircraft.
We run, the wind whipping at our faces. Once we're all on the helicopter, it starts, the blades roaring to life. Saul lets the dogs go, and they bound towards us, barking with happiness.
"It's so good to see you, boys," I tell them.
They snuggle into my lap, and I wrap my arms around them.
"They wouldn't let anyone else near them," the pilot says, smiling.
Xavier rolls his eyes, but I ignore him. Hades whimpers in my lap, clearly terrified by the helicopter, and I gently stroke his head. Meanwhile, Zeus cheerfully stares out of the window.
"Good boy, Zeus," I coo.
"How's the flight?" Saul asks the man, buckling his belt.
"All clear," the man says.
"Where are we going?" Xavier asks the pilot.
"We don't have many options, padron. We can either hide or flee the country."
"I'm not hiding anymore," Xavier declares. "I want revenge. My brother killed dozens today, and he must pay. Is the Serpent cartel still on my property?"
"Yes," Saul replies. "Heath sent fifty men. His only demand was that you come to the Palacio to stay with them until this all blows over."