Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 470

ARIELLA

Immediately, the men in the room sprang into action. Rifles were grabbed, Magazines were checked, and Orders were barked across radios.

"Follow me," Bastian commanded.

There was no time to smile now. There was no time to play the untouchable villain. People's lives were at stake; his life was at stake. He hurried through a narrow corridor before pushing open a door that led into a storage room stacked from floor to ceiling with boxes and crates. Without slowing down, he stepped over them, knocking several over as he went.

Boxes crashed to the floor, their contents spilling everywhere. At the far end of the room, he shoved aside a stack of crates that had been deliberately blocking another door. He pushed it open, and Fresh air rushed in. One by one, everyone went through the door.

When the soldier carrying Leon disappeared outside, I followed immediately. The moment I stepped out, I realised we were in a clearing surrounded by trees. Bastian paused only long enough to listen as His eyes swept the darkness. Then he started walking fast.

Everyone followed without a word. The men kept their rifles raised, scanning left and right as we hurried through the trees. Then I heard it, the sound of Water.... A river. Moments later, I saw a boat waiting at the riverbank.

Matteo chuckled.

"You sly bastard. I knew you were smart."

Bastian smiled without looking at him.

"You always have to be prepared for everything."

We hurried toward the boat. At that moment, I didn't care where it was taking us. I just wanted to get away from the gunfire. Suddenly..... A deafening burst of automatic fire ripped through the trees above us.

Branches exploded, and Leaves rained down. Everyone instantly dropped to the ground. I did the same without thinking. Silence followed for a minute or two. No one moved, no one spoke. Everyone looked around, silently checking to see if anyone had been hit and to get a clear picture of what had just happened.

"Matteo?" Bastian whispered.

"Here," Matteo answered.

"Luca?"

"Here."

"Jack?"

"Here," the soldier carrying Leon replied.

The man had lowered Leon onto the ground before taking cover. I immediately crawled toward my son and pressed myself protectively against him. He still hadn't woken up.

The forest remained eerily silent. No one dared stand. Every pair of eyes stayed fixed on the trees, waiting for the next volley of bullets. Then, suddenly, a voice echoed through the darkness over an intercom.

"You are surrounded." The voice carried a slight Russian accent. "I want all of you to throw down your weapons and put your hands where I can see them."

A brief pause.

"I have killed enough tonight..... I don't want to kill anyone else. So do as I say."

The clearing froze. No one moved. No one even breathed. I looked toward Bastian, wondering what he was going to do. For the first time... I saw something I hadn't seen before. He froze for a second, then confusion crossed his face.

Not fear, Confusion. As if he recognised the voice... But hadn't expected to hear it. Slowly, Bastian stood up and raised both hands into the air. Then he tossed his rifle onto the ground.

"All right," he snapped into the darkness. "What the fuck is this about?"

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