Chapter 34 “Seems like I always come here in these situations

Chapter 34 “Seems like I always come here in these situations
Blood started oozing out, hot and heavy, and then the pain struck — sharp, merciless, spreading through me like fire. If it wasn’t for the blood, I wouldn’t have been sure who the bullet hit. Luca was screaming like it had torn through him, his voice raw, desperate, echoing off the basement walls.

His panic was so consuming it blurred the line between my pain and his fear, as if he carried the wound himself.Sometimes I wonder how he can be this soft.

“That’s for underestimating me,” Santiago said, his voice low, dripping with arrogance. “Next time, it will go to your head.”

I locked eyes with him, refusing to look away. He thrived on fear, on weakness, but I wouldn’t give him that. Even bleeding, even trembling, I stood my ground. Luca’s sobs echoed beside me, raw and desperate, but I forced my voice steady.

“Now that you’ve had your fun,” I said through clenched teeth, blood still warm against my skin, “we were in the middle of something when you interrupted us. So we’d like to get back to that.”

“I hope you keep your word. Ruby will be ready to move in tomorrow,” Santiago said, gesturing for his men to untie us. His smirk lingered as he turned toward the door

He paused, eyes flicking to my leg, blood still seeping through the fabric. “And take care of that. I wouldn’t want you to die before giving me those grandchildren.” His laugh echoed in the basement as he walked away, the sound as cruel as the bullet itself

The ropes fell from my wrists, the sting of freedom almost mocking. Luca rushed to my side, his panic louder than the pain. My leg throbbed, every pulse a reminder of Santiago’s arrogance, of the deal forced upon me. He thought he had won he have another thing coming.

I rushed to get out, but before I could take a step, the sack was back over my head. Darkness swallowed me whole. I thrashed, fought, clawed at the air, but you can’t fight what you cannot see. My fists met nothing but emptiness, my strength bleeding away with every pulse from the wound.

The world blurred into muffled sounds — boots against concrete, the slam of a door, the growl of engines. Within minutes, we were back at the car, shoved inside like cargo. By then, I had lost a lot of blood. My sight blurred, and I felt like I was about to pass out.

I grabbed my phone from where I had left it and quickly sent a text to Emily, asking her to meet me at my house. She’s the only one I trust now. I included the address and prayed she would get there in time. After that, I called Tom and Alex to update them on what had happened.

“Take me home first, then go to Grandma’s alone for now,” I told Luca as he drove. My voice was weak, but I tried to sound firm. The pain in my leg was getting worse, and I knew I needed to rest before I lost more blood.

Luca glanced at me, his hands tight on the wheel. He wanted to argue, I could see it in his eyes, but he stayed quiet. He was scared, maybe even more than me, but he listened.I leaned back, praying Emily would reach the house soon.

When we arrived at the house, Alex, Tom, and the rest of the guys were already there, pacing and panicking. Tom rushed forward, his face tight with worry.

“We were still trying to figure out where you were, boss,” he said. “We turned this city upside down, but with no luck.”

I just nodded and asked if Emily had arrived yet. They said no, and panic started to rise in me. My chest tightened — every second felt heavier.

Before I could step inside the house, the security at the gate called. “There’s an Uber wanting to get in,” the guard said.

My heart jumped. Without thinking, I ordered, “Let it through.”

The timing was too sharp, too perfect. I prayed it was Emily, prayed she had made it here safely. The pain in my leg was pulling me down, but the thought of her walking through that door gave me strength to stand a little taller.

It seems like my plan of staying away from her always fails. No matter how hard I try, she finds her way back into my life. I still remember when I left without saying a word — the silence between us heavier than any goodbye.

I don’t want her to see me like this, bleeding and weak. But I have no choice. I can’t trust all my men anymore, and even our doctor could be the mole. Santiago’s reach is everywhere, and I don’t know who is loyal and who is bought.

Emily is the only one I can count on now. The thought of her walking in and seeing me like this makes my chest tighten, but I’d rather face her eyes than risk betrayal from the people around me.

The Uber rolled up the main driveway, and before the car even stopped, Emily rushed out. Her eyes locked on me, wide with worry.

“Seems like I always come here in these situations,” she said, trying to sound calm, but her voice shook. She grabbed my arm, steadying me, keeping me awake as I was halfway to collapsing.