Chapter 22

Sebastian's words echoed in my mind, a persistent hum I couldn't silence. Were they true? Especially the part about Dimitri? I shook my head, the question swirling in my gut. If his accusations were real, why did I feel a strange sense of acceptance?

My head snapped back.

My eyes darted around the room, a frantic search for an escape route, any sliver of hope. Tears welled in my eyes, threatening to spill, as the stark reality of my situation sunk in. My wrists were bound to the bed.

Would I ever escape this gilded prison? Would someone come to my rescue?

Before I could find an answer, the door slammed open, shattering the silence.

Heavy footsteps pounded towards me. As I looked up, tears streamed down my face.

"Dimitri," I whispered in tears. He rushed towards me, his white shirt stained with blood, his hair disheveled, and a gun clutched in his hand. His face was etched with exhaustion.

It seemed he hadn't slept at all, his eyes spoke of sleepless nights.

As he reached me, he enveloped me in a tight embrace. My sobs erupted, a release of the fear and relief that had been bottled up.

"Ssh, I'm here. You are safe now," he murmured.

I clung to him, my arms tightening around his back. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, but the warmth of his presence and the comforting idea that I was safe in his arms calmed the storm within.

I could feel his heavy breaths against my hair as he gently stroked it, trying to soothe my trembling. I was about to ask him about something when another presence filled the room.

Sebastian stood in the doorway, his gun trained on us.

Dimitri sensed Sebastian's sudden arrival. He pulled away from me, his eyes locking onto Sebastian's. Before Sebastian could fire, Dimitri reacted. A shot rang out, the bullet finding its mark in Sebastian's thigh. A scream ripped through the air as Sebastian crumpled to the floor, clutching his wound.

Dimitri's gaze met mine, "Stay here." His eyes then flicked to my wrists. A shadow of anger crossed his face. He turned and walked towards Sebastian.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I watched him deliberately step on Sebastian's wounded thigh. The air crackled with tension, the silence punctuated only by Sebastian's ragged breaths.

"Who are you?" Dimitri's voice was a low growl, laced with barely suppressed rage. "Who sent you to hurt Ophelia?"

Sebastian let out a harsh laugh, the sound laced with pain.

"Don't you know?" Sebastian sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "You're the one who's going to put Ophelia in danger. You're not hurting her now, but soon, you'll be the one carrying out your accusations. " He spoke with a chilling confidence, as if he held all the cards.

Dimitri stood silent, his gaze locked on Sebastian. I couldn't see his expression, his back turned to me, but I saw the fear flicker across Sebastian's face, as if he'd glimpsed a monster.

Dimitri's hands moved slowly, his gun finding its way to Sebastian's forehead. Before he could pull the trigger, I screamed.

"Stop! Don't stain your hands with blood anymore!"

His hand froze mid-motion, his gun still pointed at Sebastian. He turned to me, his eyes searching mine. I couldn't decipher the emotions swirling within him, but I saw fear lurking beneath the depths of his gaze.

I knew he was misinterpreting my words right now, but there was no time for explanations.

"Lower your gun and let's get out of here. Take me away from this place," I pleaded.

He stared at me, lost in thought, the fear in his eyes lingering, a mystery I couldn't solve.

"Dimitri!" My voice seemed to pull him back to the present. He glanced at Sebastian, who was still writhing in pain, before moving swiftly to my side. Dimitri quickly untied my wrists.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice trembling. I couldn't tell if he was alright, even though I was the one who's been stuck in this place, it felt like his soul was trapped in a place I couldn't reach.

Instead of answering, he pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I'm glad you're okay," he murmured, avoiding my question. I didn't press him further, simply nodding in response. Nothing else mattered right now, except that he was here.

Dimitri helped me stand and as we were about to leave the room, Sebastian grabbed my legs, stoppingme but I didn't look at him.

"Let your feelings blind you, but never forget what I said."

I ignored him, quickly stepping out of the room. The hallway stretched before us, lined with doors, each bearing a number etched in the center. It was a luxurious motel.

I couldn't help but feel a surge of annoyance. Of all the places he could have take me, it had to be a motel.

My stomach rumbled, pulling my thoughts away.

Dimitri heard my stomach rumble.

"They didn't let you take your meal?" he asked, his expression returning to its usual composure.

I bit my lip, torn between confessing my stubborn refusal to eat when Sebastian offered food and simply lying.

I was about to answer when men in black suits, armed with guns, began to pour into the hallway. At that moment, Dimitri's men, their faces grim, rushed towards the room we had just left.

It was Dimitri's men and they saved me from creating a lie awhile ago.

"Let's just get out of here," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

Dimitri nodded, gently taking my hand. He was careful, as if afraid of irritating the redness that had bloomed on my wrists.

I was pretty sure they were already bruised.

"How did you find me?" I asked as we walked out of the motel.

"Laurel managed to put a tracker on your clothes before you left the mansion," he said. I stopped, turning to him quickly.

"Is Laurel safe?" I asked, a wave of relief washing over me. Dimitri nodded.

"I almost lost the brothers, but the sensor in the mansion immediately activated, allowing my men to back them up. As for me, I came straight here, following the tracker to your location."

"Brothers?" Dimitri nodded again. "That explains their unwavering trust in each other." I smiled, "Thank goodness they're safe."

Dimitri's brow furrowed. "Why?" I asked. Instead of answering, he pulled me close, and before I could react, his lips were on mine.

It was a desperate, possessive kiss. His tongue traced the seam of my lips, demanding entrance, and I found myself surrendering to the intensity of the moment.

It had been two weeks since we had last seen each other. I had ached for his touch, for his kisses, and even in the midst of this chaos, I couldn't bring myself to break away. This kiss, this stolen moment, was a balm to my soul, a fulfillment of a longing that had been burning within me.

We kissed until I was breathless, his lips devouring mine with a fierce hunger that left me gasping for air. He finally pulled back, his gaze lingering on my face, his eyes filled with a longing.

"I love you, Ophelia," Dimitri whispered.