Chapter 5

NIKOLAI

I got an anonymous job to bring Leo Rodriquez's daughter home safely shortly after the news of his accident exploded across the internet. The Rodriquez family is one of the wealthiest conglomerates, so it is a given that Leo Rodriquez has dominated the headlines after the news of his accident.

Everything reeks of foul play from the news I have gathered, but I wasn't paid to play detective. My job is to bring Lia Rodriquez safely to New York.

I don't usually deal with humans–just transporting contrabands–but the money offered to bring Lia Rodriquez safely to New York was too much to ignore. Not to mention, I am far behind my sister's hospital bill, and they threatened to cease her treatment. So yeah, I don't have much of a choice.

Lia has bombarded me with tons of questions right from the time I told her about her father's condition up to this moment, but I have not given her an answer. I couldn't tell her about her father's critical state with her anxiety teetering over the edge. Revealing the worst won't help, it will only jeopardize the mission. I can't have her mind spiraling while I need her focused on her safety.

So far everything has been going smoothly–too smoothly, it feels unsettling until a deafening screech of tires rips through the air with a jolt that sends the car lurching forward.

I slam against the seat belt, the impact, stealing the air from my lungs. My eyes dart to Lia. She is slumped forward, her head at an unnatural angle. The seat belt cut across her chest is the only thing holding her in place as the car spins around.

A strangled curse escapes my mouth. Damnit. They should have at least waited until we left this shit-hole town.

My hand shoots out, reaching for Lia's head to steady her. My other hand finds the wheel and I fight to regain control.

Finally, I steady the car.

My head bumps the inside of the roof as I force it into a dusty side road that catches my eyes.

The car screams in protest as I tear down the sandy road, a swirling cloud of dust blocking my vision.

I push the car to its limits, weaving through several frantic turns until the last glimpse of the car hot on my tail finally vanishes in the dust

The dust settles slowly as I ease off the gas and turn to an unconscious Lia slumped beside me. My fingers brush beneath her nose, searching for the faintest sign of life. When a whiff of breath ghosts against my skin, I sigh in relief.

I use my free hand to gently shake Lia's shoulder as I call her name. "Lia." repeatedly but the loud engine of the car drowns my voice.

Her being unconscious is a terrifying liability. Not that I can't protect her, but it will be ten times harder.

The call of her name goes unanswered for a few times before she jerks awake with a gasp. Her eyes widen with terror as she takes in the environment. They dart around wildly until they land on me, filled with raw panic and confusion.

"What... what happened?" she stammers with a weak voice.

I tilt her body gently, scanning for injuries. "Are you hurt?" My voice is rough with concern. I need to make sure she is safe to get the remaining payment. Damn it.

"My neck hurts a bit..." There is a strain in her voice.

Dark bruises mar her pale skin, but thankfully, nothing seems broken. Relief washes over me. Thank fuck. It's just bruises, that won't hinder me from getting the rest of the payment.

"What's happening?" she asks, her gaze flicking back. Surprise and panic laces her voice.

"They're after you," I say as my eyes scan the environment for any sign of danger. Empty fields stretch as far as the eyes can see, with silhouettes of windmills and abandoned farmhouses. The faded banner proclaiming 'Redevelopment' that hangs limply across the road explains why this is a ghost town.

"Why?" She asks, confused.

It's simple. Leo Rodriquez is in a critical condition, and the next person in line to him is his daughter, Lia Rodriquez, so the person after her father's life is after hers too. But I don't tell her that. I don't tell her anything.

The brake screams, throwing Lia and me forward as I slam the car to a halt in front of an old two-story building.

Adrenaline surges through me as I fling the car door open and step out. Lia didn't need prompting because she was already out too.

I wait for her to join me, my hand hovering over the gun sitting in my pocket as I scan the environment for any potential danger.

When she reaches my side, I fall behind her and lead her towards the entrance of the building while my hand stills on the gun in my pocket.

"What is going on?" She asks fearfully.

Reaching the building's entrance, I pause and make a final sweep of the street. Then I push Lia into the building and jam the wooden door behind me.

"Can you at least tell me anything?" Her eyes are wide with fear.

"Listen," I finally say, my voice tight. "This is important. You need to stay here. Do not, under any circumstances, step outside unless you hear my voice and see my face clearly. Understand?"

"Why? Why are the men after us? I'm losing my mind here, please tell me something." She says.

I lower my gaze, catching her fidgeting fingers

Instead of giving her a reply, I reach into my pocket and pull out two guns before pressing one into her trembling hands. "Can you use a gun?"

She flinches. "No."

I sigh. Of course, why would she be able to use a gun?

"You don't have to know how to use it. If anyone comes in, point it at them and yell. Make them think you'll shoot." I won't let it get to that point but I tell her just for damage control.

As I turn around and start to make my way towards the entrance, I feel something light touch my arm.

My eyes move to the hands grasping the hem of my shirt and to Lia's face. I know she is so scared but there is nothing I can do about it. I'm not here to calm her nerves. I'm only here to protect her.

"Why are the men after us?"

Before I can answer, I hear a rustle behind me, and my neck tilts to the entrance. Hushes of manly voices slice through the thick air of the night.

I made sure to lose them, so how did they find us?

I don't have the time to think anything through as I lead Lia across the rusty living room of the house and between two worn-out couches. Lia's tremble vibrates through me as I lead her up the stairs and into one of the rooms.

"Change of plan," I mutter as I scan the bedroom for a hiding spot. "They found us first." The plan was to lead them away and come back for Lia but that can't be possible anymore. They somehow manage to find us.

Lia has the look of a deer caught in a headlight. She doesn't reply and I don't bother with one.

"Stay here," I say, with urgency in my voice. "Don't come out until I find you. If anyone else appears..." My throat tightens. "Shoot them."

This time, I fumble through the process of how to use a gun with impatience and hope to god that she grasps the concept of it before I make my way downstairs.

Fuck, this is going to be a long night.