Chapter 4 Running from Danger

Chapter 4: Running from Danger

Elara's Point of View

I hit the ground hard, my knees scraping the dirt. Dante's hand was tight on my arm, pulling me behind the big oak tree. My heart pounded so loud I could barely hear the screams in the park. The loud bang still rang in my ears, like a firecracker but scarier. I clutched my belly, feeling the baby kick, and my breath came out in short gasps. "What was that?" I whispered, my voice shaking.

"Stay down," Dante hissed, his body shielding mine. His suit was dusty now, and his eyes darted around like he was looking for something. Another bang came, and I flinched, pressing closer to the tree. Splinters of bark flew off, hitting my arm. Someone was shooting at us.

I peeked around the tree, my hands trembling. The black car was still there, parked at the edge of the park. The man with sunglasses leaned out the window, holding something shiny, a gun. My stomach twisted, and I ducked back, my heart beating. "Why's he shooting?" I asked, my voice high.

Dante didn't answer. He grabbed my hand and yanked me up. "Run!" he said, pulling me toward a path lined with bushes. My legs were shaking, but I ran, my belly bouncing with every step. Kids were screaming, and parents were grabbing them, running the other way. Another bang echoed, and I heard a thud in the dirt behind us. I didn't look back.

We ducked behind a playground slide, my chest heaving. Dante crouched low, his eyes scanning the park. "Stay here," he said, his voice sharp but calm. "Don't move."

"Where are you going?" I grabbed his sleeve, my fingers digging in. I didn't want him to leave me alone, not with that man out there.

"I'll handle this," he said, pulling his arm free. "Just stay down, Elara. For the baby."

I nodded, my throat tight. He slipped away, moving fast and low, like he'd done this before. I huddled behind the slide, my hands over my belly, trying to breathe. The baby kicked again, and I whispered, "We're okay, little one. We're okay." But I wasn't sure.

The park was quieter now, the screams fading as people ran away. I heard tires screech, and I peeked out. The black car was gone, but my heart didn't slow down. Where was Dante? What was happening? I thought about Celeste's warning, her cold smile, and that text: *Don't trust him.* Was this his fault? Did he bring this danger to me?

Minutes dragged on, feeling like hours. My knees ached from crouching, and my hands were cold. Finally, I heard footsteps crunching on the gravel. I tensed, ready to run, but it was Dante. His face was sweaty, and his suit was torn at the shoulder. He knelt beside me, his breath heavy.

"They're gone," he said, his voice low. "You're safe now."

"Safe?" I snapped, standing up. My legs shook, but I didn't care. "Someone just shot at us! What's going on, Dante? Who was that?"

He stood too, his eyes dark. "I don't know yet. But I'll find out."

"That's not good enough!" I yelled, my hands shaking. "You show up out of nowhere, offer me some crazy deal, and now people are shooting? I have a baby to think about!"

"I know," he said, stepping closer. I backed up, and he stopped, his hands up like he was calming a scared animal. "I swear, Elara, I didn't expect this. But I'll protect you. Both of you."

I wanted to believe him, but my head was spinning. First Celeste, now this. I didn't know who to trust. "You said my father asked you to protect me," I said, my voice sharp. "Is this what he meant? People shooting at me?"

Dante's jaw tightened. "Your father didn't know it would come to this. Neither did I."

I crossed my arms, my heart still racing. "Then tell me everything. Right now. Who was he? Why did he care about me?"

Dante looked away, his hands clenching. "Your father... he was a businessman. A good one, but he made enemies. He gave you up to keep you safe. When he was dying, he asked me to find you. To make sure you were okay."

I stared at him, my chest tight. "Enemies? What kind of enemies?"

"People who wanted to hurt him," Dante said. "I didn't think they'd come after you. Not after all these years."

I felt like I couldn't breathe. My whole life, I'd thought my father didn't want me. Now he was the reason I was in danger? "You should've told me," I said, my voice breaking. "I deserved to know."

"I was trying to protect you," he said, his eyes meeting mine. "I still am."

I shook my head, stepping back. "I don't want your protection. I want the truth."

Before he could answer, a police siren wailed in the distance. Dante grabbed my arm gently. "We need to go. Now. It's not safe here."

I pulled away, my heart was beating like a drum. "I'm not going anywhere with you. Not until you tell me everything."

He looked at me, his face serious but soft. "Elara, please. I'll tell you more, but we can't stay here. The police will ask questions, and I need to keep you safe."

I wanted to argue, but the sirens were getting louder, and my legs felt weak. I nodded, and he led me out of the park, his hand on my back. We walked fast, my belly aching with every step. He took me to a sleek black car parked on a side street, and I hesitated before getting in. The leather seats smelled new, and it felt like stepping into another world.

Dante drove, his hands tight on the wheel. The city blurred past, but I barely saw it. My mind was stuck on the gun, the car, and Celeste's warning. I glanced at Dante, his face hard like stone. "Where are we going?" I asked.

"My place," he said. "It's safe there."

I didn't like it, but I didn't have a choice. My apartment wasn't safe, not after Celeste showed up, and now this. I clutched the contract in my pocket, its edges crumpled. I hadn't signed it, but I was already caught in something bigger than me.

We pulled into an underground garage, and Dante led me to an elevator. It shot up fast, making my stomach flip. The doors opened into a huge apartment, all glass and shiny floors. It was cold, like a museum, not a home. I stood in the middle, my shoes dirty on the clean floor.

"Sit," Dante said, pointing to a couch. "I'll get you some water."

I sat, my hands on my belly. The baby kicked, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. Dante came back with a glass, his eyes watching me closely. "You okay?" he asked.

"No," I said, taking the water. My hand shook, and some spilled on my shirt. "Someone tried to kill us. I'm not okay."

He knelt in front of me, his face serious. "I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

I wanted to believe him, but my heart wouldn't stop racing. "You keep saying that. But you're not telling me everything. Who was that man? Why's this happening?"

Before he could answer, his phone rang. He pulled it out, his face going pale as he read the screen. He stood, his hand tightening on the phone. "Stay here," he said, his voice sharp.

"What's wrong?" I asked, standing too.

He didn't answer, just walked to a desk and opened a laptop. I followed, my heart pounding. The screen showed a security camera feed in the hallway, maybe in this building. A woman stood there, her blonde hair shining under the lights. Celeste.

"What's she doing here?" I whispered, my voice shaking.

Dante's jaw clenched. "I don't know. But I'm going to find out."

He grabbed a key card and headed for the door. "Stay here, Elara. Lock the door behind me."

I nodded, my hands cold. He left, and I locked the door, my heart racing. I looked at the laptop, the camera still showing Celeste. She wasn't alone anymore. A man stood with her, the same man from the park, his sunglasses glinting. In his hand was a small black box, and he was pressing buttons, his face focused.

My breath stopped. Was that a bomb? Were they coming for us?