Chapter 18 - Underground
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"Pull over here!" I shouted at the driver, tossing a twenty into the front seat.
The cab screeched to a halt in front of the bustling 5th Avenue subway entrance. I didn't wait for my change. I kicked the door open and sprinted down the concrete stairs, plunging into the sea of commuters.
The air underground was thick and humid. I pushed past businessmen and tourists, constantly looking over my shoulder.
Through the crowd, I saw him.
Viktor. The scarred enforcer from Arthur’s study. He was walking slowly down the stairs, his eyes scanning the platform like a terminator.
Panic seized my chest. I scanned the massive station. Trains were arriving on four different platforms. I swiped my MetroCard and ran toward the deepest level—the express lines.
My phone buzzed in my hand. A text from Leandro.
Platform 4. North end. Don't look back.
I ran down the final flight of stairs to Platform 4. The screech of an incoming train echoed through the tunnel.
I hurried toward the north end, hiding behind a massive steel pillar. I peeked around the edge. Viktor was on the platform, shoving people aside as his eyes locked onto my blue sweater.
He reached into his jacket. He was going to shoot me right here in the crowd.
Suddenly, a heavy hand grabbed my arm and yanked me backward into a maintenance utility closet.
The heavy metal door slammed shut, plunging me into pitch darkness.
Before I could scream, a hand clamped over my mouth.
"Shh," a deep voice whispered against my ear. The smell of sandalwood and smoke filled the cramped space.
Leandro.
I sagged against him, my heart hammering like a hummingbird. He wrapped his arms around me tightly, pressing my back against his chest as we stood in the dark.
Outside, heavy footsteps paused in front of the metal door. The doorknob rattled.
Leandro's grip on me tightened. I felt the cold steel of his gun press against my hip as he raised it toward the door.
We held our breath.
A voice echoed over the loudspeaker, announcing the express train. The rumble of the subway cars shook the closet walls.
The footsteps outside faded away, rushing toward the departing train.
May you like
Leandro slowly lowered his hand from my mouth and exhaled in the dark.
"We need to go," he whispered. "Now."
