Chapter 143 A lost deal

Chaos erupted. Gunfire filled the air as Caruso's men drew their weapons. Mariama dove under the table, her heart pounding in her ears. She crawled towards the door, desperate to escape the mayhem. As she reached the hallway, a strong hand gripped her arm. She looked up to see one of Caruso's men. "This way," he hissed, pulling her towards a hidden stairwell. They raced down the stairs, the sounds of the firefight growing fainter. Just as they reached the bottom, another explosion rocked the building. The man stumbled, and Mariama saw her chance. She wrenched her arm free and ran, not daring to look back. The streets of Palermo were a blur as Mariama fled. She ditched her heels, running barefoot until her feet bled. She didn't stop until she reached the train station, where she collapsed onto a bench, gasping for air. As the adrenaline faded, the reality of her situation sank in. The mission had been a complete disaster. Not only had she failed to secure the deal, but she'd also ba