Cinta

CINTA

I splashed through ankle-deep water, the once-pristine casino floor transformed into a treacherous maze. Shattered chandeliers littered our path, their crystals glinting in the emergency lights.

“Shit,” I hissed, looking back at our planned escape route. A wall of water blocked the way, steadily rising. “We need another way out.”

Klaz’s red eyes darted around, assessing our options. His jaw clenched, a telltale sign of frustration. “The main exits will be crawling with security by now.”

I nodded, adrenaline sharpening my senses. The air reeked of ozone and wet carpet. In the distance, I heard shouts and the crackle of energy weapons.

“This way,” Klaz growled, pulling me towards a service corridor.

We ducked behind an overturned blackjack table, narrowly avoiding a sweep of searchlights. My heart hammered with fear and exhilaration. I’d pulled off plenty of cons before, but never anything this high-stakes.

As we crouched in the shadows, I noticed a series of tubes running along the ceiling. My mind raced, piecing together a plan.

“Klaz,” I whispered, gripping his arm. “Those pneumatic tubes – they’re used to transport equipment and chips between floors. We could use them to bypass the flooding.”

He frowned, skepticism evident in the set of his shoulders. “You’re sure?”

“Trust me,” I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt. “I’ve escaped through tighter spots.”

Klaz hesitated, then nodded. “Lead the way.”

Quickly I found the closest access panel, Klaz providing cover as I worked to pry it open. The metal groaned, finally giving way to reveal a narrow passage.

“Ladies first,” I quipped.

Klaz snorted. “Not a chance.” He squeezed his broad frame into the tube, his shoulders scraping against the sides. “Stay close.”

The tube was pitch black, and my breath came in short gasps as we crawled through the twisting passageway.

Water rushed beneath us, the sound amplified in the confined space. Metal creaked ominously. I focused on Klaz’s steady movements, using them as an anchor against my rising panic.

“You okay back there?” Klaz’s low voice rumbled through the tube.

“Never better,” I lied, forcing levity into my tone. “Though I might skip the seafood buffet next time.”

Klaz chuckled, the sound oddly comforting. We continued our slow progress, the journey feeling endless in the darkness.

Finally, a sliver of light appeared ahead. Klaz pushed through the exit, then reached back to help me out. We emerged into a dimly lit corridor, both of us disheveled and panting.

I stumbled slightly as my feet hit solid ground. Klaz’s strong arms steadied me, pulling me close. We stayed like that, my heart racing for reasons that I couldn’t blame on just our escape.

The spell broke as voices echoed from around the corner. Klaz tensed, pushing me behind him protectively.

“Time to move,” he whispered.

We burst out of the casino, the storm hitting us like a physical force. Rain lashed my face, stinging my eyes as we struggled forward. The wind howled, drowning out the chaos behind us.

“This way!” Klaz shouted, his grip on my hand firm as he led us through the tempest.

I stumbled, my heels sinking into the muddy ground. Klaz steadied me, his powerful frame shielding me from the worst of the gale.

“You okay?” he asked, concern etched on his features.

“Never better,” I lied, forcing a grin. “Just another day at the office, right?”

Klaz’s lips twitched, almost a smile. “Some office.”

We pressed on, the warehouse our beacon in the darkness. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the bridge ahead. My heart leapt – we were almost there.

Then I saw them.

As we reached the middle of the bridge Mama Raza and her gang materialized from the shadows underneath the warehouse on the other side, weapons drawn. My stomach dropped.

“Well, well,” Mama Raza’s voice carried over the storm. “Look who decided to join the party.”

Klaz pushed me behind him, forcing me backwards on the bridge, his body tense. “We have what you want, Mama Raza. Let’s make this quick.”

“Oh, honey,” Mama Raza cackled. “We’re just getting started. Hand over the diamond, and maybe I’ll let you two lovebirds fly away.”

I felt Klaz shift beside me, his mind working. In one fluid motion, he produced the Larain Diamond, holding it over the raging river below.

“Not so fast,” he growled. “You want this? First, you take that anklet off her.”

Mama Raza’s eyes narrowed. “Now, now. That’s not how this works. Diamond first, then we talk about your little accessory problem.”

“Wrong answer.” Klaz dangled the gem precariously. “One wrong move, and your payday goes for a swim.”

I watched the standoff, my heart pounding. The anklet felt heavier than ever, a constant reminder of our precarious situation.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Mama Raza hissed.

“Try me,” Klaz replied, his voice ice-cold. “I’ve faced down worse than you in my sleep.”

I admired his bravado, even as fear clawed at my insides. This was a dangerous game we were playing.

“Fine,” Mama Raza spat. “Have it your way.” She produced a small device, tapping at its screen.

With a click, the anklet fell away. Relief flooded through me, but suspicion kept me on edge. This was too easy.

“There,” Mama Raza said. “Now hand it over.”

Klaz’s eyes darted between Mama Raza and me, his grip on the diamond tightening. “Not so fast,” he growled. “How do we know you won’t just kill us once you have it?”

Mama Raza’s face contorted with impatience. “You’re in no position to negotiate,” she snarled. In a flash, she whipped out a laser pistol.

A searing pain exploded in my shoulder. I stumbled backward, crying out as the acrid smell of burned flesh filled my nostrils.

“Next one goes through her pretty little head,” Mama Raza hissed. “Now hand over that diamond, or I’ll show you just how trigger-happy I can be.”