FIFTY

Lucas's mind raced, calculating their next move. He needed to buy time, “You came all the way for me? What a nice gesture.” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Massimo's cruel smile widened, “You won't be so egotistical once we're done with you.”

At that very moment, another gunshot resounded, but this time it was followed by the distinct crackle of a sniper rifle. One of Massimo's men dropped, clutching his chest.

Massimo and Marco exchanged a shocking glance, realizing that Lucas had arranged snipers. “What the…..” Marco began, but another shot silenced him as another of their men fell on the floor.

Lucas took advantage of the confusion, darting back towards Olivia. He found her trembling , but unharmed. “Come on, we need to move,” he said urgently, grabbing her hand.

“But …” Olivia started, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

“No time to explain. Trust me,” Lucas insisted, pulling her along as they navigated through the villa. The sound of gunshots echoed behind them, a dissonance of chaos that filled the air.

“We need to find a safer place,” Lucas muttered, taking a quick look around for an exit.

Olivia's eyes were wide with fear, but she trusted Lucas completely, “Where do we go?”

“Follow me,” Lucas said, his voice steady despite the danger. He led her through the hallways, keeping his body between her and the direction of the gunfire.

Massimo and Marco realized that Lucas had vanished. Massimo's face twisted in anger. “Find them! They can't have gone far!”

The men began to follow, their footsteps heavy and fast. They fired their guns, bullets whizzing past Olivia and Lucas.

Lucas shot back , hitting his marks with deadly precision, while also shielding Olivia from the line of fire.

“Stay close to me!” Lucas ordered, his voice a mix of urgency and reassurance. He fired another shot, taking down one of Massimo’s men.

Olivia clung to his side, her heart pounding. “Lucas, there's too many of them!”

“We’ll get through this,” Lucas said firmly. “I made sure if that.”

He had qualms about something like this happening, so he had arranged for snipers to be positioned around the villa.

The snipers, hidden and ready, continued to pick off Massimo's men one by one, their shots error- free and deadly.

Marco shouted, “They're shooting from somewhere, find the snipers now!”

Massimo's frustration grew, “Lucas is always one step ahead.”

Lucas glanced at Olivia, his eyes softening for a moment, “We’ll make it out of this I promise.”

They moved quickly, Lucas leading the way through a side door and into the Villa's garden. The sound of gunfire continued, but the snipers were doing their job , thinning out the enemy's numbers.

As they ran through the garden, Olivia stumbled, Lucas caught her, lifting her up, “I won't let anything happen to you.” He said , his voice full of determination.

“I know,” Olivia said, clutching him tightly.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from behind them. Lucas instinctively let go of Olivia's hand, turning to face the new threat. In that split of seconds, Massimo appeared from the shadows, pulling Olivia to his side and holding a gun to her temple.

“Lucas,” Olivia gasped, her eyes wide with fear, she was terrified ,but a small part of her believed that as long as Lucas was there, nothing would happen to her.

Massimo’s men swarmed in, guns drawn, surrounding Lucas. From the opposite direction, Marco’s men emerged, their weapons trained on him as well. The odds are heavily against Lucas.

“Well, well, Lucas,” Massimo sneered, tightening his grip on Olivia.

Lucas's eyes narrowed, “Massimo, Let her go. This is between you and me.”

“Oh, it's way beyond that now,” Massimo said, his voice dripping with malice. “You took something from me. Now I take something from you.”

Marco stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips, “Lucas, always the hero. But you’re outnumbered and outgunned. This is the end of you.”

Lucas's gaze flickered to Olivia, then back to Massimo, “You’re making a big mistake. If you hurt her, I'll make sure you regret it.”

Massimo laughed, a harsh , grating sound. “I don't think you’re in any position to make threats Lucas.”

The tension was notable , every second stretching into eternity. Lucas's mind raced, searching for a way out. He knew he had to act fast.

“Massimo,” Lucas said, his voice low and steady, “This isn't going to end well for you. My men are still out there. The snipers you couldn't find? They’re still watching.

Massimo's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but he didn't loosen his grip on Olivia. “Empty threats won't save you.”

Lucas took a step forward, his expression fierce. “It's not a threat, it's a promise.”

At that moment , a single gunshot rang out. One of Massimo's men fell to the ground, a clean shot to the head. The snipers had created awareness.

Massimo's grip tightened on Olivia, his face twisting on rage, “Enough! Drop your weapons or she dies!”

Lucas remained calm , his eyes locked on Massimo. “You don't want to do this.”

Massimo's face contorted with rage, “You killed my sister, Lucas! This is exactly what I want to do.”

Lucas’s eyes met Massimo's unwavering, “I didn't kill Olga, If I did, I wouldn't like about it. The person you should be at war with over Olga's death is Marco not me.”

Massimo's face twisted in confusion and anger, “What kind of game are you playing?”

“No game,” Lucas said, his voice calm and authoritative. “Marco orchestrated Olga's death.”

Massimo's grip on Olivia wavered , doubt flickering in his eyes. He glanced at Marco who was now visibly uncomfortable.

“Massimo, he’s lying.” Marco interjected quickly, but his voice lacked conviction.

Lucas took a step forward, his gaze locked on Massimo. “You know I'm right. Don't let Marco continue manipulating you. Release Olivia and we can settle this without any more bloodshed.”

Massimo's face was a mask of conflicted emotions. His rage against Lucas was palpable , but the seed of doubts had been sown. He glanced back at Marco , whose eyes betrayed his guilt.

“Massimo,” Lucas called again, his voice softer but insistent. “Olga's death was a tragedy but killing Olivia won't bring her back. It will only serve Marco’s twisted plan.”

Massimo's grip tightened on the gun, but his hand was shaking. Olivia sensing the shift, tried to remain calm, her eyes locked on Lucas, trusting him to save her.

Marco , seeing his plan unravel. Just like a flash, Marco pulled the trigger , the shot e going through the villa. Massimo stumbled back , a look of shock on his face before he fell to the ground.

Olivia screamed as fell to the ground. “Olivia!!!” Lucas shouted, his heart racing.