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As they stepped out of the lair, Marcus was already spiraling into his usual paranoid state.

"Ooh! Mike, I'm about to make a move." He whispered, his voice low but tinged with nervous energy.

"No, the fuck you're not." Mike shot back, keeping his tone firm while trying to appear composed. "You're gonna go wherever these guys are taking us and keep your damn mouth shut."

"Oh, I'm not going." Marcus argued. "I'll take the three up front, and you handle the six in the back."

"Marcus, we don't have any weapons." Mike reminded him, his irritation growing.

"In five," Marcus ignored him completely, mentally preparing himself.

"Marcus—"

"Four... three—"

Before he could finish his countdown, chaos erupted. Gunfire echoed as one of the men escorting them was struck down. The four instinctively ducked, pressing themselves against the truck for cover.

A car screeched into view, and more men poured out, guns blazing as they fired at the ambushers.

"Get in the truck!" Mike shouted, noticing the vehicle was unlocked. The group scrambled inside, scavenging the weapons off the fallen men outside. Just as they armed themselves, another car roared onto the scene, blasting obnoxiously loud music. "Ah, shit. This motherfucker." Mike groaned, recognizing the person who now climbed out of the vehicle.

"Fuckboy, fuckboy, what you gonna do?" The man sang, grinning like he'd already won. He was a heavyset guy, sporting a chain, a thick beard, and medium-length dark hair. He was nothing short of over-the-top as they heard him from outside. "Ayo, Mike! Ain't no fun when the rabbit got the gun, huh?"

"Wait, you know this guy?" Armando asked, glancing over at Mike as he raised his gun into position from his leaned-back seat.

"Yeah," Mike sighed. "I hit him with a hammer a couple years ago."

Cataleya, casually loading her gun, chuckled softly. Her laid-back reaction caught Armando's attention, and his gaze lingered on her. She turned her head and raised a brow. "What? I'm just easing the tension a little."

"You think I forgot about that ho shit you pulled at Manny's Prime Rib?" The man ranted on.

Armando shook his head, muttering to himself. "How the fuck did I let you two catch me."

Cataleya simply gave him a look from the side of her eye, silently agreeing.

"Mike, I want my five million." The man growled, stepping closer. "You see, I got the fam with me. The streets! We can do this nice and easy... or we can go to war." He raised his gun dramatically. "Because I'm fucking war-ready!" His voice hit a ridiculous high note that made Cataleya visibly cringe.

Marcus shoved the dead guy that sat on the drivers seat out to trick the big sized gangster as shots were pulled. "What the hell are you doing?!" Mike yelled.

"Making a move." Marcus replied simply. He stomped on the gas with his hand, sending the truck barreling toward the group. The man barely had time to react before getting sent & crashed towards the other car up front.

As the truck sped forward, Armando and Cataleya leaned out of the windows, firing at the remaining gang members. "Go, go, go!" Mike shouted.

Just when they thought they were in the clear, another gang pulled up. A Molotov cocktail came hurtling toward them, smashing against the truck and setting it ablaze.

Marcus hit the windshield wipers, trying to clear the flames, but Mike immediately panicked. "No! No! Windshield wiper fluid is flammable!"

"How the hell am I supposed to know that? I ain't no damn scientist!" Marcus snapped, driving in reverse as bullets pelted the vehicle. "Relax! The fire's on the outside." The flames, however, soon crept inside. A burst of heat lit up Armando's leg, and he gasped, frantically swatting at the fire. "Oh, shit! Now it's on the inside!"

"No shit, ass-head! The moment you mentioned it, I knew it was gonna happen!" Cataleya snapped back, smacking the flames off Armando's leg with quick precision.

Armando sighed in relief, but his reprieve was short-lived. Flames spread to the boxes beside them. He kicked the truck's back doors open and shoving the burning crates out.

Just then, a shot rang out, narrowly missing him. Armando froze, spotting the cops advancing toward them as one started shooting. Cataleya yanked him back by his shirt. "What the hell are you doing? You wanna get yourself killed?!"

"Everybody out!" Marcus yelled.

Cataleya didn't hesitate, leaping out of the truck and hitting the ground hard, followed by the others. They took off running, weaving through gunfire until the unmistakable wail of police sirens cut through the chaos. Cataleya felt something sharp on her left arm but ignored it. The gang members scattered, giving the group a chance to slip away unnoticed.

Breathless and battered, they ran before being caught, needing along hours to get to Dorn's that was a safe house by the lake in Miami. The sound of sirens faded into the distance, but their nerves remained on edge.

As they slowed their pace, Cataleya pressed a hand to her arm, frowning when she felt something warm and wet. She glanced down, her heart sinking at the sight of blood.

"Damn it." She muttered. She'd been hit.

Cataleya stumbled, her breathing uneven as she pressed a hand to the wound on her arm. The others quickly noticed her lagging behind.

"Shit, you're hit!" Armando moved to her side, his tone sharp with concern. He grabbed her arm gently but firmly, inspecting the blood-soaked area.

"I'm fine." She muttered through gritted teeth, trying to wave him off. "It's just a graze."

"That's not just a graze," Armando snapped. "Sit down. Now."

"We don't have time for this!" Mike barked, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of pursuit. "We need to move before anyone catches up."

"I said I'm fine." Cataleya insisted, pulling her arm back. But her legs betrayed her as she wobbled slightly, the blood loss already taking its toll.

Marcus sighed, rubbing his temples. "Oh, hell no. We're not about to lose her. Somebody rip off a damn shirt or something."

Without hesitation, Armando tore the sleeve from his shirt, ignoring Cataleya's protests. "You're not fine." He said firmly, wrapping the makeshift bandage around her arm. "Just stay still for a second, damn it."

Cataleya bit her lip, letting him work. For a moment, the tension between them softened. Armando's hands were steady, his focus intense.

"Okay." He said, tying the bandage tightly. "That'll hold for now. But you're not running anywhere like this."

Mike sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alright, Armando, you help her move, you stay close. We're not stopping till we reach Dorn's."

Cataleya nodded reluctantly, leaning slightly on Armando as they started moving again. Armando stayed close to her side, his sharp eyes scanning for any threats. Despite the chaos, there was an unspoken understanding between them now—a mutual sense of trust forged in the fire of survival.

They moved quickly, the sound of distant sirens fading behind them as they made their way toward safety.

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