Kanyan (Gatti Enforcers #1)

30. Lula

30

LULA

T he constant buzzing of Derin’s phone fills the small room, an annoying hum that won’t stop. He glances at the screen, muttering something under his breath, then shoots us a look, as if daring us to make a move.

“I’m right outside,” he warns, his voice cold. “Don’t do anything stupid, or one of you will lose an ear.”

Before we can even process his words, he’s already speaking into the phone, stepping out of the room and closing the door with a soft, ominous click.

“Lula, this is insane,” Allegra whispers, her voice trembling with fear. It’s a sound I know too well, but it’s different hearing it from her. We’re both tied to chairs, facing each other, with barely any space between us. It feels like we’re in a trap, and the walls are closing in with every second that passes. “ You’re insane! Why would you do this?”

I don’t have an answer. At least, not one I want to say out loud. The words feel too heavy on my tongue. It’s all my fault you were taken. I can’t say that to her, not when she’s already scared enough.

“I had to do something,” I tell her, my voice barely above a whisper, but steady.

Her eyes meet mine, and I know she sees the desperation in me. The fire. The need to make things right, even if I’m not sure how to fix any of this. She sighs, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little.

“And what exactly are we supposed to do-now he has two prisoners to bargain with!?” The skepticism is clear in her tone. It’s like she knows how hard our escape will be, and I can’t blame her. Maybe I should’ve thought this out a little better, but I can’t second guess myself right now.

I clench my jaw. My hands ache where they’re tied, and I wish I could use them to hold onto something other than this helpless feeling. “You need to get out of here, Allegra. You need to get home to Scarlett.”

Allegra stares at me for a long moment, and I can feel her uncertainty in the air between us. Then, her lips firm into a determined line. “We both need to get out of here,” she hisses under her breath. “I’m not leaving without you.”

My stomach twists at her words. I want to argue, tell her to just go, but I can’t. Not when I can see the same fight in her eyes that’s burning in me. Still, I can’t let her be foolish. Not like this.

“Don’t be stupid, Allegra,” I whisper, my voice a low rasp. “The first chance you get, you run. You get out. I’ll hold him off.”

She shakes her head, and the sound of her shifting in the chair is almost comforting in the otherwise cold, silent room. “Listen to me, Lula,” she insists, her voice barely audible as she lowers it, eyes darting to the door where Derin just left. She leans in closer, almost like she’s afraid someone will overhear us. “I’ve been working on my ties for hours. My hands are almost loose.”

I can’t help but look at her with a flicker of hope, but it’s quickly dampened by the reality of the situation. “That’s good. That’s a good start,” I murmur, but even as I say it, doubt claws at my chest. “That means you’ll be out of here soon.”

Her lips curve into a small, dry smile. “Don’t be so silly, Lula.” She pulls at her wrists again, her fingers flexing as she works them free. “We’re in a cemetery. He’ll catch up to me before I even make it past the first tombstone. There’s no one here to help, Lula. No one. This will only work if we both overtake him.”

The weight of her words hangs in the air like smoke, thick and suffocating. I want to argue, tell her to be careful, but we don’t have time for that. Instead, I just shake my head. “Did you not see that knife he had?” I grit my teeth, the image of it still fresh in my mind. “And I’m pretty sure he’s got a gun tucked somewhere, too. Don’t do anything foolish, Allegra.”

Allegra doesn’t listen. She wiggles her feet, and I watch as the ropes start to loosen, tiny movements at first. She’s been smart about this, inching her feet back and forth, loosening the knots without drawing attention to herself. If Derin’s not paying attention, he won’t even notice that she’s almost free.

“I’m almost there,” she says softly, as though she’s talking to herself. “But we need a plan.”

I look up, my thoughts swirling. “I say you run. You don’t stop. Don’t look back.”

She looks at me, her eyes serious. “We stay together, or we run together, Lula.” Her voice is firm now, like she’s made up her mind. “I’m not leaving you behind.”

I clench my fists in frustration. “You don’t understand?—”

“I do understand,” she interrupts, cutting me off. “And I’m not going anywhere without you. We’re in this together. Listen to me, Lula.” She glances quickly at the door again, making sure no one’s listening. When she speaks again, her voice is barely more than a whisper, a chill in her tone. “From the sounds of that last phone call… his cousin, Altin Kadri? He’s involved, and if he’s involved…” She shakes her head, looking me in the eye. “That can only mean one thing.”

I shoot her a confused glance, not understanding what she’s getting at. Altin Kadri? The name doesn’t ring any bells. I’ve heard it thrown around a couple of times, but I have no idea who this person is.

“Altin Kadri?” I ask, a touch of confusion coloring my voice.

Allegra looks at me, eyes hardening. “The Beast of Albania.”

The words hit me like a slap. The Beast of Albania? I’ve heard whispers about him—rumors that circulate in the darkest corners of the underworld. They say he’s ruthless. A man with an unhealthy thirst for power and a taste for blood. But hearing it from Allegra’s mouth brings the name to life in a way that sends shivers down my spine.

“You didn’t hear what I just said, did you?” she presses, her voice steady but tight. “This isn’t just about Derin anymore. It’s about Altin. And that’s a whole different kind of monster.”

I swallow hard, trying to keep my focus. My thoughts race, and for a split second, I almost forget where I am—where we are. This is bigger than I realized. A lot bigger. And it’s not just about getting away anymore. It’s about surviving.

“I, for one, don’t plan on being another body buried in this cemetery,” she says, her eyes locked onto mine with a fiery determination. I can almost picture her pointing at her chest if her hands were free, making sure I understand just how serious she is. I can see why Scar Gatti is so crazy about her. She’s got this unshakable resolve, this fire inside that refuses to back down.

“Okay,” I say, my voice thick with determination. “We need a plan. What do you suggest?”

Allegra rolls her eyes at me and gives me a furious glower. “Lula,” she whispers, her voice laced with urgency, “Listen to me. I have a plan.”

I nod. If she has a plan, I need to hear it. Time is slipping through our fingers. And when we make our move, we won’t just be running—we’ll be fighting for our lives.