Chapter Twenty-One

Thursday. My last chance was today. Paul and I had decided to do the bombing today instead of in a week. Better probability of Mello's survival, I guess. In the past twenty-four hours, I had secured three first-class airline tickets to Baltimore, Maryland, where Paul's family lived. From there, Mello and I would go to one of four places; Russia, Alaska, Germany or England. Paul didn't know which place we were going in case he decided to betray us. Not that I believed he would, but just in case. I'm so damn smart sometimes.

Currently, I'm equipped with three expertly hidden handguns, ten thousand dollars in cash, the mafia members' credit cards and keys, a motorcycle key, Mello's passport and mine, and of course my goggles and the clothing I was now wearing. Taking a final drag from my very last cigarette, I punched in the number sequence into the keyboard with shaky fingers. My phone buzzed, alerting me that I had five minutes to get the hell out of here before thirteen strategically placed bombs went off. I stood up slowly, stretching my back and walking away as the monitors turned black, appearing to be off. "I gotta get some more cigs, boss." I announced and strolled out into the L.A heat. Too damn ea- I gasped as I felt something strong constrict around my throat. A deep chuckle sounded from behind me, "What are you doing, Matty?" Jack's voice sneered, "Not deserting us, are you?"

I tried to choke out an answer past his muscled arm, but nothing came out. In the shadows I saw a figure emerge. The figure of Paul. He smirked bitterly, "Sorry, Matty, but no one leaves the mafia. Once you're in, you're in for life." I squirmed and my vision blurred around the edges, darkening as it went. I am the worst hero ever. This was it, after the lack of air knocked me out, I knew what they would do. The thought made me heave, causing a putrid mix of stomach acid and Pop-Tarts to splatter on the concrete. Jack snarled and released me, pushing himself farther from the sick on the hard ground. I gulped in the now rancid air. Glaring at Paul, I saw a bloodthirsty look in his eyes, one that owned up to his high rank in the mafia. He had the gun in his shaking hand trained on me. When you fall fast, you fall hard.

Slowly, I withdrew my gun, aiming at the only man in the mafia I used to trust. I smirked sadly. "I can't believe I have to do this, Paul. I thought you of all people wouldn't crack." With a shrug, I continued, "Oh well. I guess I have to. Too bad Holly and the kids won't get to see you again. Anything left to say?"

"Matt! No!" He shouted desperately, switching his aim from me to Jack. I kept my eyes on Paul, knowing that if I looked away I would be shot. Bang! Thud. I turned my gaze to Jack, seeing he was crumpled on the ground, a pool of ruby surrounding his head like a macabre halo. Another loud noise sounded, making my ears ring, followed by a second low thud. Paul was dead. I swore, shaking my head. I bit my lip. I couldn't cry now; I couldn't cry for a traitor. The blood wasn't on my hands. I checked my phone: two minutes and thirty-four seconds.

I tore off toward the smoke shop, causing people to call out in irritation at me, but I didn't fucking care. My feet pounded harshly on the sidewalk, throbbing more and more as I went. This was probably the most risky thing I had ever done in my life. Mello owes me for this. Wait, no, he didn't. This was the least I could do for him. I shook my head and ran faster. Arriving in the alley behind the smoke shop, I saw my boyfriend. Instantly, I felt lighter, like a weight had lifted from my soul. I sprinted toward him, taking him into my arms and holding him close as I tried to catch my breath. "Mello, are you-" I panted, "Okay?"

He pushed me away, "Matt! Go! Leave!" He shouted, a tone of desperation in his voice.

I was taken aback, "What? Mello, we have to go! Now!" I tugged him in the direction that I had hidden Rodney's bike, but he stayed put, yanking his arm from my grasp. "What the fuck?" I growled in frustration, "Move."

"I can't!" He hollered. "Matt!" His cry was cut short and he collapsed onto the ground, unconscious.

That's when I saw him. "Fuck, you guys?"

He was tall, with dark, evil eyes. He smirked, "We found out about your little plan," He had a thick accent, "You're not getting her. She's ours." With a snap of his fingers, two other men appeared from the shadows holding my boyfriend. The metal tip of a gun was placed against Mello's temple. He was bruised and covered in sweat and blood. His hair stained with crimson and black.

I took a step forward, "Mello-!"

The tallest man cut me off, "Take another step and your pretty girlfriend is dead."

I growled lowly and Mello let out a yelp. My anger was rising by the second. I kept my sight on Mello and the two shorter Mexicans. The one on the left was holding Mello tight in his grip, the one on the right had the gun resting almost lazily against the side of the blond's head. I threw my arm up, and shot the one holding the gun, he fell instantly, Mello flinched. I fired at the other one and he slumped into a heap on the ground, bringing Mello down with him.

"Hey, man. You killed them!" The leader growled. "Does that slut mean that much to you? He's worthless anyway. You can have him back. He was fun to play with, man."

That tipped me over the edge. I launched myself towards him, pushing him against the brick side of a building. "WHAT?!" I screamed at him. Wham! Wham! Wham! "Don't you-" Wham! "Ever-" Wham! "Touch my-" Wham! Wham! "Boyfriend again!" I punched him a final time and threw him away from me. I jogged past Mello, to the bike and wheeled it over to him. "Get on," I commanded in a voice that wasn't my own. With a sharp glare, he hoisted himself onto his feet and sat on the seat behind me. "Go." he hissed and I did.

A/N: Three freakin' weeks, guys! I'm so sorry it has been so long! I've been busy with school, work, and family things. And I didn't really like this chapter, so it made me not want to write. Anyway, I hope it's not too terrible. Thanks for all the reviews and I apologize again for such a late update!