LOGIN๐๐๐๐ข๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌยฐยฐยฐ
โHey champ, I was just kidding,โ Antonio chuckled, trying desperately to keep his usual dominance. But the word sounded more like a flimsy excuse than an actual reassurance to Junior. โIf youโre really kidding,โ the little boy countered urgently, โthen where did you agree to take us?โ Antonio almost collapsed from embarrassment, because he had no idea. Instinctively he blinked at Nevena, but she only widened her eyes innocently, as if saying you dug this hole yourself. โBuddy?โ Junior drawled, planting his hands on his hips. โOf course,โ He attempted again, clearing his throat and straightening his shirt like it would fix his pride. โWeโre all going out together.โ Junior stared down at him. โYes, I knowโ but where exactly?โ Nevena hid a smile behind her fingers, watching Antonio's composure crack one layer further. โDonโt you think weโre going to be late?โ he muttered, looking absolutely tortured. โBuddy, Iโm so disappointed,โ Junior sighed dramatically. โYou werenโt listening at all.โ โBaby, thatโs enough.โ Nevena laughed softly, โMr. Hunt has a lot in his headโ She then turned to Antonio. โYou agreed to take him to the park. The one near the mall.โ He muttered something in Spanish under his breath and dragged a hand over his face. โLet's go then!โ โ- They stepped outside together โ Junior bounding ahead while Nevena locked the door before joining them. Antonio hit the unlock button on his key, and Nevena instinctively reached for the passenger-side door. But before her fingers touched the handle, Antonioโs hand shot out fastโ catching the door and swinging it open. She withdrew her hand, cheeks flushing. โYou donโt haveโโ โHop in, champ,โ He cut in smoothly, guiding Junior up with one hand. The kid simply climbed in, wiggling with energy. Nevena blinked, confused. โOhโฆ I thoughtโโ โBack seat.โ He interjected again as he tightened Juniorโs seatbelt. A tremor of heat rose to Nevenaโs cheeks. โWaitโyouโre actually making me sit behind?โ โCatch a cab if you donโt feel comfortable.โ He slammed the door and rounded to the driverโs side, avoiding eye contact entirely. She opened her mouth to argue, but the way he closed his doorโ fast, controlled, almost like he was sealing danger away made her swallow the words. She slid into the backseat before he started the engine. โSeatbelt,โ he said, not looking back. She clicked it into place, and he pulled out of the driveway. The ride was quietโexcept for Juniorโs endless chatter, which Antonio answered with practiced calm. But Nevena didn't chip in any word from the back, she remained in the same position; legs crossed and fingers playing with the strap of her bag. โ- At the park, families were everywhereโ kids screaming and running. Junior leapt out and ran ahead, jumping on every tile line like it was lava. โDonโt go too far!โ Nevena called, arms folded unsettlingly. โRelax, heโs safe,โ Antonio reassured her, locking the car quickly. The sun was soft, the morning crisp, a perfect atmosphere for a quiet stroll. He walked in synchronized rhythm beside her, hands tucked into his pockets. Nevena noticed some couples nearby โ close and unbothered. But every time her arm swung a little too close, Antonio shifted a fraction away. โUm..m, we can sit and watch from here.โ She gestured at an unoccupied bench. Antonio nodded and she crouched in at once, but he remained standingโ arms crossed tightly. She tilted her head towards him. โYou can sit, you know. Itโs just us.โ โI know,โ he said quietly, eyes fixed on Junior. โIโm only being careful around you.โ Nevenaโs lips parted at the honesty. โNo problem,โ she breathed, rising. โI want to click some shots. You can sit while Iโm gone.โ Antonio finally allowed himself to lower onto the bench, elbows on his knees, watching her walk away. She blended into the crowd seamlessly โ laughing, kneeling beside toddlers. Her small roll camera clicked endlessly as she hopped between small groups like she belonged to all of them. Antonio couldnโt stop the faint smile that tugged at his lips when she slipped onto a swing. The children gathered at her back, tiny palms pressing against the chains as they gave her a collective push. She screamed, half-laughing, half-terrified. He exhaled through a quiet laugh of his own. She was no less than a kid herselfโcarefree, light, untouched by the filthy shadows that clung to him. A sudden downpour came like a bucket overturned by the sky. One moment ago, they were racing around the swings with a pack of new friends. Now, water sheeted down so fast . In an instant, the lively park exploded into blurred chaos. Kids squealed and parents grabbed them along with their bags and bolted for shade. The rain hammered harder โ cold, relentless. Nevena tried to herd the little kids around her toward the covered shelterโ not breaking into a run of her own. โGet out of the rain!โ Antonio barked as the storm intensified. Junior sprinted back toward him, soaked to the bone, curls flattened to his forehead. โBuddy!โ he squealed, โIโm wet!โ โWe need to move,โ Antonio muttered, grabbing his wrist, but Nevena was still in the open park, hair plastered to her cheeks, laughter bubbling out of her like a kid who hadnโt felt rain in years. โWhat's she doing?โ Junior squinted Antonio didnโt even think twiceโ he left Junior and sprinted through the storm toward her. โCome on!โ he snapped, grabbing her wrist in a firm, instinctive grip โ before she did the unthinkable. โLet me stay for a little more timeโ she resisted the grip, dancing in puddles, totally drenched but radiant. โNo โ youโll fall sick!โ he barked, and in one swift move he hoisted her over his shoulder. Effortless. โOh my God!โ she shrieked, laughing as he tightened his arm around her legs. โYouโre enjoying this?โ he growled, voice thinner than he intendedโ and she squealed in answer. Junior soon ran toward them, slipping and skidding on the wet grass. Antonio lunged and caught him by the armโa clean, tight save. โCareful,โ he muttered, rain dripping from his jaw. Under his guidance, they eased away, bolting towards the parking lot. By the time they reached the car, they were drenched beyond recognitionโclothes dripping, shoes squelching, hair sticking, hearts racing. He set her down and yanked the passenger door open with urgency. โInside,โ he commanded, breathless. Junior scrambled in first, shivering and giggling. Nevena hesitatedโ eyes drifting back toward the rain. She made to float back but Antonioโs hand clamped around her forearm. โI'm not used to begging,โ he warned, voice husky with restrained rage. โGet inside the fucking car.โ๐๐๐๐ข๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌยฐยฐยฐLiza walked slowly, hands clasped white-knuckled. She didnโt look at Antonio as she took the stand, but he was watching her every moveโ maybe resent or remorse.She swore in without blinking, awaiting the prosecutor's question.โMrs Liza Minnelliโ native of Sombra Azul and also John Minnelli mother?โ the judge read from the file in front of him, and she replied with a nod. โCounselor!โ the judge called, slouching forward, toward the prosecutor. โYou can go aheadโ The prosecutor adjusted his cufflinks and called up Antonio to the stand, then he turned to Liza with a confident aura. โMrs Minnelliโ do you know this man?โThe courtroom held its breath as Liza scrutinized Antonio from head to toe. โYesโ she managed after a long pause. โI know himโโOkayโ the prosecutor clasped his hands in triumph, dismissing Antonio. โMaโam can you please give this court an account of how he murdered your Willow.โโWillow?โ Liza repeated โonly this time her voice cracked
๐๐๐๐ข๐'๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌยฐยฐยฐAn hour laterโฆ.The visiting room smelled of stale coffee and old sweat. Antonio sat cuffed to the metal table, wrists raw, shirt still stiff with dried river water and Nevenaโs blood. His face was stoneโeyes fixed on the scuffed linoleum as he awaited his visitor.The door opened quietly and revealed Grinch, alone. He stood in the doorway a long moment before stepping inside the holding cell. The door clicked shut behind him. Just two men whoโd grown up bleeding together.He didnโt speak at first, he just looked at Antonioโ trying to recognize someone he used to know. Cuffed wrists, blood-stiff shirt, this man before him was different.โYou signed it,โ he said at last. The words came out quiet, almost careful, like he was afraid saying them too loud would make them real. โNo lawyer. No call. Nothing.โAntonio didnโt lift his head.โWe had everything lined up,โ Grinch continued, voice dropping lower. โHe offered Malaysia for your extraction route. Cle
๐๐๐๐ข๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌยฐยฐยฐAntonioโs world narrowed to the wet heat spreading across his chest. He looked down at Nevenaโs face, hand pressing to her arm, but blood seeped between his fingers.He shoved her behind the nearest bridge supportโrusted I-beam. Then he spun, drawing his concealed Glock in the same motion.โHold fire! Holdโ!โ Breanna shouted, but it was too late. Fresh rounds chambered with a click.He shifted his weight, eyes meeting the three people who had just made the worst mistake of their lives. โYou want Knuckles?โ he said quietly. โCome and get me.โHe fired three quick, precise shots. Vincenzoโs lead man dropped. Another staggered while Cesar hissed at his grazed shoulder.The shooting exploded in earnest, both the police and goons. When Antonio saw that the two forces were closing in sporadically, he scooped Nevenaโs limp weight and vaulted the railing, hitting the river like a fist.On the bridge, the gunfire stuttered to confusion.Everyone rushed to the ra
๐๐๐๐ข๐'๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌยฐยฐยฐ The first thin ray of dawn sliced the horizon just as Antonio stepped onto Otowi Bridge. Though he wasn't tired, Nevenaโs constant, anxious chatter behind him had worn him thinner than any distance. โAre we close to the city now?โ she asked. He didnโt answer, rather he slipped a hand into his pocket and retrieved his phone. He thumbed the screen alive and dialed Grinch's number. As soon as the line connected, she tipped her head forward, ear brushing his, eavesdropping childishly. He noticed but didn't rebuke her. โGrinch,โ he said as soon as the receiver connected. โIโm heading for the border. Negotiate a pass for meโ โWhich border?โ Luca's voice floated through, instead of Grinch's. โThailandโ Antonio switched the phone to the other ear. โI will cross Otowi and cut through Sangre de Cristo. That's the route.โ โKeep breathing. Iโll grease the wheels.โ he assured and killed the line. ----------- Back in the shadowed ship, Lucas took a long
๐๐๐๐ข๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌยฐยฐยฐShe stared at the bodies a moment longer, then sagged against him in relief. In the darkness, blood looked like shadow and she didnโt know the difference and was too exhausted to question it.Antonio scooped her up carefully โone arm under her knees, the other cradling her back. She weighed nothing.โHold on to me,โ he whispered.She did, arms looping around his neck, face tucked into the curve of his throat.Behind them, Slimeโs shallow breathing gurgled, and Breanna's net closed in faster.He carried her south through the pines, careful of the bruise blooming across her ribs where his elbow had caught her in the dark. Though guilt sat heavy in his chest, he buried it deep. There would be time for apologies laterโ when he figured out how to get them out safely.The abandoned hunting cabin finally faced them five minutes later, a squat silhouette against the treeline. He shifted her weight to one arm, thumbed the biometric lock, and shouldered the door
๐๐๐๐ข๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌยฐยฐยฐAntonioโs boots pounded the earth of the north woods, his breath fogging in sharp bursts under the moonlit sky.The mansion was miles behind him now, yet he utilized every second to push farther.His phone vibrated in his pocketโinsistent, frantic. He yanked it out mid-stride, thumb smearing blood from a cut across the screen.One new text from Grinch.He ducked behind a fallen pine, chest heaving, and hit callback on Nevenaโs number instead of opening the message thread.โCome on, come onโฆโ he muttered with each ring as the call went straight to voicemail.He stared at the screen until it dimmed, then he killed the backlight.There's no point in calling again. Her abductors had surely triangulated her phone by now.He glanced at his compass watch and hastily broke from the treeline, scanning the dark for headlightsโ police or otherwise. Only a thinning forest lay ahead.โI need to get to Nevena.โHe veered left, following a faint path until the silhoue







