The Arrangement: Chapter 33

Like some kind of miracle, everything goes black. It’s so dark I can’t see my hand in front of my face.

Aleksey’s freaking out, his voice cutting through the darkness, ‘What the fuck is going on?’

Honestly, I’d laugh if the situation weren’t so intense.

Seizing the moment, I elbow Aleksey right in the stomach and make a break for it, dashing toward where I last saw Maksim. My heart’s pounding so loud, I’m sure it could guide me through this blackout. Just as I’m about to reach him, Aleksey’s voice slices through the chaos, ordering his goons to ‘take us out.’

We bolt out of the study with gunshots ringing out behind us. The whole thing feels like a scene from a movie I’d definitely never want to star in. Risking a glance over my shoulder, my eyes have adjusted enough to the darkness to see Nicky still in the room.

Maksim’s hand finds mine in the dark, and we’re running, dodging a hail of bullets like we’re in some kind of high-stakes obstacle course.

We’re not exactly out of the woods yet but having Maksim by my side is like a little beacon of hope. Sprinting down Aleksey’s fancy hallways, Maksim’s holding my hand in one of his, and in the other, he’s popping off shots at the guards to keep them at bay.

While we’re dodging bullets and making a mad dash for freedom, I ask, ‘What’s with the blackout? Was that part of the plan?’ The urgency in my voice probably gives away just how high-strung I am right now.

Maksim barely breaks stride as he answers, ‘Pulled a few strings,’ right as the sound of police sirens starts wailing outside.

He tugs me toward the front door, probably thinking we’re about to make our grand escape. But nope, the thing won’t budge.

“Shit,” he hisses. “Security system must be powered by a backup generator.”

The place lights up with these creepy red emergency lights. It’s like suddenly being in a horror movie, with everything bathed in this unsettling red glow. The shadows look freakier, and the whole vibe just got a lot more sinister.

Stuck in this eerie, red-drenched scene, I catch a glimpse of Maksim’s determined face. If there’s a way out of this, we’ll find it together. His confidence is catching, even now.

We make a beeline for the windows, and through the red haze, I can see the cops swarming outside, weapons at the ready, like they’re about to storm a castle. Just as I’m thinking there’s a glimmer of hope, massive steel shutters come crashing down, sealing us inside.

‘Shit!’ Maksim’s frustration echoes my own thoughts exactly. He grabs my arm, urgency clear in his voice. ‘We need to get to the roof.’

“Easier said than done!”

Right on cue, a bunch of guards burst into the room like they’re the welcoming committee we definitely didn’t want. Maksim instantly steps in front of me, shield and defender all in one. He fires off a couple of shots, creating just enough space for us to make a move.

Grabbing my hand, he pulls me toward the stairs. My heart’s racing, but Maksim’s grip is like a solid promise that he’s got me. The sound of guards hot on our heels adds an extra layer of adrenaline to our escape.

Just when I think we’re about to be overrun, Maksim does something out of a superhero playbook. With what I swear must be superhuman strength, he shoves a massive armoire down the stairs. It crashes into the pursuing guards like some kind of makeshift bowling game, sending them tumbling.

Watching the madness unfold, I can’t help but be a bit awed. Maksim, despite everything, manages to pull off these moments of sheer badassery. As we race up the stairs, leaving the sound of chaos behind, I’m reminded yet again why we’re a team not to be messed with.

‘What’s the plan?’ My voice is filled with both fear and adrenaline as we ascend higher.

‘We get up as high as we can, then look for a way down from there.’ Maksim’s reply is quick, focused.

At that moment, Aleksey’s voice, cold and menacing, filters through the house, promising retribution. ‘Maksim, I’m coming for you!’

Suddenly, Aleksey himself appears, a dark figure at the end of the hallway, rifle aimed with chilling precision. A shot rings out, and in a breath, Maksim’s yanking me aside, the bullet whizzing past where we stood just moments before.

We’re running again, up the stairs, the third floor our new destination. The threat of Aleksey and his rifle looms behind us, each step propelled by the desperate need to survive, to find some way out of this madness.

Reaching the top floor feels like a small victory until we see the windows—every single one sealed shut by those merciless steel shutters. All but one. There’s a sliver of hope in the form of a window left uncovered, a mistake in Aleksey’s fortress. Without hesitation, Maksim takes aim and fires, shattering the glass into a thousand pieces of liberation.

He turns to me, urgency written all over his face. ‘You first,’ he says, guiding me toward the window. Climbing out onto the roof, the night air hits me, fear and relief swirling inside. I look down, and it’s a long way to the ground. Cops swarm below, a beacon of safety just out of reach.

Aleksey’s voice echoes up to us, filled with rage, followed by more gunshots trying to find their mark. I hold my breath as Maksim makes his climb, and then we’re both on the roof, a pair of fugitives perched on high.

Above us, the sound of salvation—choppy and loud. A helicopter hovers, a beacon in the night, and the realization hits me like a lightning bolt. That’s our way out, our escape from this nightmare.

Maksim catches my gaze, a shared understanding passing between us. We don’t have to say it; we’re thinking the same thing. It’s risky, insane even, but it beats the alternative of facing Aleksey’s wrath head-on.

With the helicopter in sight, hope surges anew. It’s a wild, desperate plan, but then again, hasn’t this whole night been made of those? Now, we just have to make it aboard.

Maksim is furiously signaling to the helicopter, which, miraculously, starts to descend toward us. Just as it feels like we’re moments away from a breathtaking escape, Aleksey bursts onto the roof, his timing impeccable, his aim deadly. He fires off a shot, and the helicopter, reacting to the immediate danger, pulls away, ascending back into the night sky.

Aleksey marches toward us with his gun ready, hurling insults and bitter truths our way. ‘You’ve always been the favorite, Maksim! I was never given a chance to prove myself!’ His voice is full of resentment and rage, a lifetime of living in the shadow of his half-brother boiling over.

Maksim steps in front of me, a human barrier against Aleksey’s wrath. He warns me, a grim sort of calm in his voice, ‘He’s more likely to hit us with that rifle than for me to hit him with the pistol.’

It’s clear – Aleksey has the advantage, and on the rooftop there’s nowhere to hide.

Tension crackles in the air, a tangible force as both men raise their weapons, a silent declaration that this could end in bloodshed. My heart’s racing, every beat a prayer for a miracle, for a way out of this madness.

As if my prayers are answered, Nicky appears, a shadow turned savior. The sight of him, gun raised and aimed at Aleksey, is so unexpected it’s almost surreal. But the real shock comes when he reveals a badge—Nicky’s a cop?

‘Put the gun down, Aleksey. Now,’ he commands, his voice leaving no room for argument.

The revelation sends shockwaves through me.

Aleksey, looking like he’s just lost the only game he’s ever cared about, finally drops his gun. It’s like someone hit the pause button on him. Meanwhile, our ride out of this mess decides it’s showtime again, dropping a ladder down to us. Maksim insists I go first. Climbing up that ladder, I can’t help but take a last look at the chaos we’re leaving behind. The house, the swarming cops—it’s a madhouse.

Once I’m safely inside, and Maksim follows, he slips into what I can only describe as boss mode. He starts barking orders like he’s been doing this kind of dramatic escape his whole life.

‘To the hospital,’ he says, all business, making sure I’m okay. And just like that, we’re flying off into the night, the mansion and all its nightmares shrinking into the distance.

Maksim pulls me close, and I’ve gotta say, after a night like this, being in his arms is exactly where I want to be. It’s been a rollercoaster, but with him by my side, I feel like we can handle whatever comes next. Plus, hospital or not, we’re together, and right now, that’s all that matters.