Chapter 5 - Get down!

CALISTA'S POV

“Get down!” yells sounded outside, followed by loud bangs of gunfire. My hands pressed tightly against my ears as I stared at my stepfather, who was on a phone call.

What the heck?

“Dimitri, do not let him in!” he thundered, pushing his hand into his pocket. He took out a key and hung up the call before turning to face me. “Let's go.”

“W-what? What about Eleanor?” He pulled me to my feet and dragged me out of the kitchen. I looked toward the dining room where my mother was, but she was no longer there.

“She's safe," he answered calmly as we rushed through the back door. Just then, gunshots cracked from outside, and he pulled me into his embrace, crashing sideways.

“Ouch!” I whimpered, feeling his weight crush my stomach. His hand pressed my head to his chest, and I closed my eyes tightly, my heart pounding frantically.

What the hell was happening?

“Cal… Cal!” He pulled me away and shook me lightly. My eyes blinked rapidly, and I forced myself to focus. “Can you walk?”

My shaky hand gently pressed to my stomach, and I exhaled in relief when I didn't feel my organs outside my body. I snapped my attention to him, ignoring the burning sensation in my stomach.

“Yes,” I answered firmly. His calm grey eyes stared into mine, then he slowly nodded and helped me up.

“Where are we going?” I asked, looking at his left hand holding the door handle. I briefly lifted my gaze to his face but paused at the scene before me.

The door, which was perfectly fine a minute ago, now had holes in it.

Oh, God. I’d been standing behind him just seconds earlier.

My hands flew to my mouth as a dreadful thought settled within me. My body would have been mummified like that door!

As if knowing what I was thinking. Mikhail's head turned to face me, “Pay attention, Cal. We are going through this door…now.”

Before I could gather my thoughts, his fingers wrapped around my wrist and he pulled me with him. Damn it! I never said I was ready!

“Fire!” Men yelled and my heart skipped in fear and a twisted pain gripped my stomach. Cold sweats spread all over me as gunshots blast through my ears, it felt like I was in a warzone.

I risked a glance over my shoulder and a gasp escaped my lips. Eleanor was covered by a broad man, shielding her away from the crossfire. They made their way to the other part of the building.

“Stop looking, Cal!” Mikhail's voice snapped me back to reality and I turned my head to face him, however, my eyes caught sight of a man aiming his gun at us, and before I knew what was happening Mikhail's body was in front of me.

“Ugh… Fuck!” He grunted in annoyance. He bent down and took out a gun from his sweatpants, firing it at the man. “Bastard.”

He pulled me along and soon we were away from the scene. His other hand quickly opened the bunker and pulled the door open, he dragged me and threw me inside.

My jelly legs gave way and I crashed ungracefully to the floor, and before I could get myself the bunker door slammed shut.

“Uh?... W-wait! N-no! Don't lock me here!” I scrambled to my feet crashing into the bunker. My palms slammed repeatedly on the cold metal in panic. “Mikhail!”

“I'd get you out of there, Cal.” His voice sounded muffled from outside, I had to press my ear to hear him. “Just stay still until everything's okay. Can you do that for me?”

Heavy breathing escaped my lips as I swept my gaze around the dusty bunker, dizziness slowly taking over me.

I turned around, sliding down to the floor. My legs pressed together as my fingers ran through my hair.

I didn't respond to him.

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MIKHAIL'S POV

I tore off my shirt, wrapped it, and pressed it on the spot the bullet had pierced.

“Dimitri,” I called, getting closer to my men. He stopped talking to someone and turned to me, walking over.

“Sir.”

“Where's Eleanor?” I glanced at the vans outside. “...were you able to find out why they are here?”

“The Madam is fine. I had her taken to the second bunker and assigned some men to guard the spot.” He replied.

Oh, shit. I should have left some for the stubborn one.

“And as for them… I do not know why they are here. Their men retreated back to the vans after the gunfight.” He added.

“Oh?”

A groan escaped my lips and I glanced down at the blood-soaked cloth.

“I'll call the doctor over.” Mikhail cut in before I could speak.

I nodded.

Suddenly, one of the vans' doors opened and a hand poked out carrying something. My eyes squinted at the object.

“Fuck!” Someone yelled. “It's a grenade! Protect the leader!”

I watched as they ran to cover me, and lifted my eyes to the van. The person pulled the pin and flung the grenade at us.

At the same time, the van's engine turned on and they drove out of the place. My arm lifted to block whatever impact that would come from the grenade.

There wasn't any place we could hide to avoid the blast.

I waited for a bang, boom, or blast, but nothing came. Sensing something was wrong, I slowly lowered my arm and peeked over it, and surprisingly everywhere was calm.

I glanced down at the men around me and sighed softly. “It's a fake.”

Finally, they moved.

I brushed past them walking over to the grenade on the floor, my eyes caught sight of a paper attached to it. I bent down breathing heavily, and picked it up.

I carefully unwrapped the paper so as not to tear it, and my eyes scanned through the words written on it.

“This is just a warning. Hand over Calista to us.”