Chapter 21

Isabella’s breathing was ragged as she leaned against the cold, grimy wall of the abandoned building. She could hear the muffled footsteps of Russo’s men approaching, a constant reminder that her time was running out. The darkness of the room seemed to press in on her, and she pulled off the ill-fitting security uniform in frustration, her movements jerky and filled with rage. The sound of her own laughter filled the silence, but it was more of a manic cackle than genuine amusement, reflecting her deteriorating state of mind.

The door creaked open, and Russo entered, a smug grin spread across his face. His eyes roamed over Isabella’s exposed form with a predatory gleam. “My, I didn’t have to work very hard,” he remarked, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

Isabella glared at him, her face contorted with a mix of defiance and resignation. “Just get it over with. I’d rather die,” she growled, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.

Russo’s smile widened, and he waved a hand dismissively. “It’s not time yet, though. This— this wouldn’t hurt anyone. I want to make Dominic and your father so heartbroken by my capturing you that the boy falls apart. I need him so in love with you that he breaks down entirely.”

Isabella’s confusion flared, but before she could react, Russo’s men seized her, their grip like iron around her arms. She struggled, trying to get free, but their hold was firm. Russo’s gaze remained fixed on her as he gestured for his men to release her. “Dominic is located in the east wing. You will find him. Goodbye, my dear, bella,” he purred, his voice mocking.

The moment they released her, Isabella didn’t waste a second. Her mind was a whirl of thoughts and fears, but one thing was clear: she had to find Dominic. She sprinted through the maze of the compound, her heart pounding against her ribs. Every step felt like a race against time, every shadow a potential threat. Her shoes slapped against the damp concrete, echoing in the empty halls as she navigated her way through the labyrinthine complex.

Finally, she reached the east wing. The air was thick with moisture and the oppressive heat of the building, a stark contrast to the cool night outside. Water dripped steadily from the cracked ceiling, forming puddles on the floor that splashed with each hurried step she took. The oppressive heat and the sound of dripping water created an eerie, unsettling atmosphere.

“Dominic?” she called out, her voice trembling as it echoed through the empty corridors.

As she turned a corner, she found him. Dominic was slumped against a wall, his body battered and bruised. His face was marked with pain, but even in his weakened state, there was a glimmer of recognition in his eyes.

Isabella rushed to his side, her hands shaking as she gently touched his face. “Dominic, wake up,” she pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion. She lightly shook him, her tears mixing with the dirt on his skin.

Dominic’s eyes fluttered open, and a faint, tired smirk crossed his lips. “Piccola, you’re here,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Isabella’s tears flowed freely as she continued to wipe away the grime from his face. “Why did you have to get hurt because of me?” she cried, her voice choked with anguish. “This is all my fault.”

Dominic’s smirk widened slightly, though it was tinged with pain. “Well, I couldn’t have expected you to stay away forever,” he teased weakly, trying to lighten the mood despite his condition. “You always were stubborn.”

Isabella shook her head, her tears not slowing. “This isn’t funny, Dominic. You’re hurt because of me.”

Dominic chuckled softly, a sound that turned into a groan of pain. “Oh, come on, piccola. I’ve had worse. Remember when I fell off that horse?”

Isabella managed a small, bitter laugh through her tears. “Yeah, and you were so proud of yourself for getting back on.”

“That’s right,” Dominic said, his voice growing faint. “And I’m proud of you for not giving up on me. Even if you are a bit of a mess right now.”

Isabella leaned in closer, her hands gently supporting him. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Dominic’s smile grew weaker, but he managed to give her a reassuring look. “You’re stronger than you think. Now let’s get out of here before they change their mind.”

She nodded, her heart aching but her resolve hardening. “Let’s get you out of here.”

Together, they would face whatever came next, but for now, all Isabella could think about was getting Dominic to safety and hoping that their fight wasn’t in vain.

The drive back to Don’s house was a silent one, punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional creak of the car as Isabella drove through the night. The interior was dimly lit by the dashboard lights, casting a soft glow over Dominic’s battered form in the back seat. Isabella’s eyes frequently darted to the rearview mirror, her heart clenching each time she saw Dominic’s bruised face, now peaceful in sleep, his breathing steady and rhythmic.

Dominic was slumped against the seat, his face a patchwork of bruises and cuts. Sweat glistened on his forehead, mingling with the grime from his ordeal. His clothes were torn and stained, and his usually sharp features were marred by pain and exhaustion. Isabella’s heart ached with every glimpse of him. The sight of him so vulnerable made her feel helpless, and she clenched the steering wheel tightly, determined to get him to safety.

As they approached her father’s estate, the imposing gates came into view, illuminated by the headlights of the car. Isabella pulled up to the front entrance and parked with a sharp, determined jerk. She took a deep breath, steeling herself before stepping out of the car.

She walked briskly to the front door, her mind racing with the urgency of the situation. She barely knocked before pushing the door open and rushing inside. Don was in his study, the dim light from his desk lamp casting long shadows on the walls. He looked up in surprise as Isabella stormed in, her face flushed with a mixture of anger and desperation.

“Papa,” she said, her voice trembling. “I need your help.”

Don looked up, his expression shifting from surprise to concern. “Isabella, what’s going on?” he asked, rising from his chair.

“It’s Dominic,” Isabella said, her voice cracking. “He’s hurt badly. Russo… Russo took him, and I had to get him out. I found him in the east wing, beaten and—”

Don’s eyes widened. “Russo? What do you mean, Russo took him?”

Isabella took a deep breath, her emotions spilling over as she recounted the night’s events. “I saw Russo and Kory talking. Russo’s plan was to use Dominic to make you and me suffer. He wanted Dominic to be so in love with me that he’d fall apart if something happened to me. He let me take Dominic, but he said Dominic was in the east wing, and he— he told me that he wants Dominic to break down.”

Don’s face darkened with concern. “Why didn’t you bring Dominic inside? We need to get him treated immediately.”

Isabella shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “I can’t. I need to explain everything to you. I need your help to save him.”

Don’s face hardened with frustration. “Isabella, I’m trying to understand what’s going on here. Why are you so adamant about helping him? He’s a part of this mess—”

Isabella cut him off, her voice rising in desperation. “Because I think I love him, Papa! I think I love Dominic! And I can’t stand to see him like this, not after everything he’s done for us. I need him to be okay!”

Her voice cracked with the weight of her confession. Don’s stern expression softened slightly as he took in her tearful plea. “Isabella,” he said gently, “if you care about him that much, then we need to make sure he gets the help he needs.”

She nodded fervently, her tears spilling over. “Yes, please. I can’t lose him, Papa.”

Don sighed deeply, his resolve firming as he nodded. “Alright. We’ll get him inside and make sure he’s looked after. But you need to be careful, Isabella. This is a dangerous situation, and we have to handle it properly.”

Isabella nodded, wiping her tears away. “Thank you, Papa.”

Together, they rushed outside to the car. Isabella’s hands were still trembling as she opened the back door, her heart aching as she saw Dominic’s battered face once more. With Don’s help, they carefully lifted him out of the car and into the house, determined to get him the medical attention he so desperately needed.