Chapter Seven: Smoke and Gunfire

The black cars stopped in front of the warehouse. Men jumped out fast, guns ready. Dante stepped out last, calm like he had done this a hundred times. I sat in the back seat, my hands shaking as I looked at the old building. My sister was in there. I wanted to run in, but Dante’s hand came down on my arm.

“Stay here,” he said.

“I can’t. She’s my sister,” I said back, my voice sharp.

“You’ll only get in the way,” he said. “If something happens to you, then what? You think I’ll let you ruin everything?”

I bit my lip hard, my chest rising and falling. “I don’t care about everything. I just want her safe.”

His eyes cut to me, dark and cold. “She will be safe. Because I’m going in there.”

The doors burst open and his men rushed in. Gunshots started right away, loud and close. I flinched at every sound. Dante walked forward with steady steps. He didn’t even duck when bullets cracked near the walls. He just lifted his gun and fired back, each shot controlled. I had never seen someone like that. No fear at all.

I leaned forward, clutching the car seat. “Please… please be okay,” I whispered to myself.

Minutes felt like hours. Shouts and gunfire filled the air. Smoke drifted out of the broken windows. Then I saw movement. One of Dante’s men dragged someone out—it was Sofia. Her wrists were tied, her face pale, her hair messy. She stumbled, coughing.

“Sofia!” I screamed. I threw the door open and ran to her. My arms wrapped around her before she could fall. She was shaking hard.

“Bella,” she whispered, her voice weak. “I thought I wouldn’t see you again.”

“You’re okay now,” I said, tears burning my eyes. “You’re okay.”

Dante came out right after, blood on his shirt, but not his. He gave quick orders to his men. “Get the cars ready. Watch the back exits.”

Behind him, Adrian appeared in the doorway. His face twisted with hate, his gun raised. “This isn’t over, Isabella!” he shouted before one of Dante’s men pulled him back with gunfire. Adrian ran into the smoke and was gone.

Dante’s jaw tightened. He didn’t chase him. Instead, he looked at me holding Sofia. His eyes softened just for a second before hardening again. “Get her in the car.”

We drove back fast. Sofia leaned against me, her head on my shoulder. I brushed her hair back, whispering small things to calm her. She barely spoke. I could feel her trembling the whole way.

Back at the mansion, Dante’s doctor came to check her. He cleaned her wrists and gave her water. I sat on the bed beside her, holding her hand.

“Does it hurt?” I asked.

“A little,” she said softly. “But I’m fine. Better than before.”

I nodded and smoothed the blanket over her. My chest finally eased. She was alive. That was all I cared about.

The door opened again. Dante stepped inside. His presence filled the room at once. His shirt still had bloodstains, his sleeves rolled up. His eyes landed on Sofia, then shifted to me.

“She will recover,” he said. “You should rest too.”

“I’m not leaving her,” I said, looking down at Sofia.

“You can sit with her tomorrow,” he replied. “Tonight, you need to understand something.”

I frowned. “What now?”

He walked closer, his shoes clicking against the floor. “You only survived today because of me. Don’t forget it.”

My stomach twisted with anger. “You want me to thank you for doing the right thing? For saving my sister when you’re the reason she was taken in the first place?”

His eyes flashed. “Watch what you say.”

“No,” I said louder. “I’m tired of watching what I say. You think I’m some doll you can move around. You don’t care what happens to us as long as it benefits you.”

He stepped closer. My back touched the wall beside the bed. His hand pressed against the wall near my face. His voice dropped low. “If I didn’t care, your sister would be dead right now. And you would be kneeling at Adrian’s feet.”

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. His face was inches from mine. I could feel his breath, hot and steady. My body froze even as my thoughts screamed at me to move.

“Dante…” I said, my voice shaky.

His eyes went to my lips. For a moment, the air between us felt too heavy. He leaned closer. My chest tightened. I thought he was going to kiss me. My lips parted on their own.

But he stopped. His lips hovered just short of mine. His eyes burned into me. Then he whispered, “When I take you, it won’t be by accident.”

He pulled back at once, turning and leaving the room without another word. The door shut behind him. I stood frozen, my hands trembling. My heart beat so loud I could barely hear Sofia’s quiet breathing beside me.

I sat down again, pressing my hands over my face. I didn’t know if I hated him or if I hated myself more for the way my body had reacted. I stayed like that until sleep pulled me down.