Chapter 9: The First Meal

Dante's POV

"Two hours isn't enough time!" I struck the table with my fist.

Luca silenced me by raising his hand. His gaze was fixed on the picture of Elena's bleeding face. I could see the calculations and planning going on in his head.

"It's enough if we move fast," he declared. "Isabella, tell us about this secret entrance."

Her face was pale but determined as she took a step forward. "My building has a basement. There's a door leading to the building next door behind some old furniture. Years ago, my father discovered it.

"How do we know it's still there?" Marco enquired.

"We don't," Isabella acknowledged. "But it's our best shot."

Luca gave a slow nod. "Nico, scout the area surrounding her building with two men. Marco, get in touch with our people and arrange for their placement. You remain here with Isabella, Dante."

"What?" I moved to the front. "I should be out there helping."

"Someone needs to protect her." There was no room for disagreement in Luca's tone. "The Kozlovs might target her next if this doesn't work out."

I could see the reasoning, but I wanted to argue more. The true prize was Isabella. She and that USB drive would be worth a hundred Elenas to the Kozlovs.

In a matter of minutes, my brothers departed, moving silently and swiftly like the well-trained soldiers they were. All of a sudden, the house seemed too large and empty.

With her arms encircling herself, Isabella stood in the center of the living room. She appeared as though she might topple over at any moment.

I said, "When did you last eat?"

She gave me a blink. "What?"

"Food. When was the last time you had any?

She considered it. "I can't recall. Perhaps yesterday morning?

"Yesterday morning?" I gazed at her. "That was over thirty hours ago."

"I wasn't hungry."

"That's not how bodies work." I made my way over to the kitchen. "Hurry up. You must consume some food.

"At this moment, I am unable to eat. Elena is—

"Elena needs you strong," I cut her off. She will need her best friend to be well and prepared to assist her in her recovery if the rescue is successful. If you faint from hunger, you can't do that."

Isabella parted her lips to protest, then shut them again. She was aware that I was correct.

However, her legs faltered as she attempted to go to the kitchen. Before she could fall to the ground, I caught her.

"Okay, new plan," I said as I embraced her.

"Put me down!" She made a feeble effort, but she had lost all will to fight.

"Stop being stubborn." After carrying her to the dining room, I placed her in a chair. "Remain there. I'm preparing food for you.

"You cook?"

"I do many things that would surprise you."

I discovered bread, eggs, and a few veggies in the kitchen. Not fancy, but sufficient to prepare a satisfying meal. I worked fast, chopping peppers and cracking eggs while listening for sounds outside.

Isabella just stared at the plate when I brought it to her.

"Eat," I replied.

"I told you, I'm not hungry."

"And I told you, that's not how bodies work." I took a seat across from her. "Look, when you refused to touch his food, our chef back at the penthouse sobbed for three days. Real tears. large ones. Would you really like to bring me to tears as well?

Her eyes flickered with something. A smile, but not quite.

"You're ridiculous," she remarked.

"I've been called worse." I moved the plate in her direction. "Hurry up. A couple of bites. For the honor of the sobbing chef."

Slowly, she picked up the fork. She could hardly hold her hand because it was trembling so much. However, she succeeded in getting a piece of egg into her mouth.

"Good?" I said.

She swallowed after chewing. "It's okay."

"All right? I'll let you know that I'm a great chef."

"It's a little dry."

It's been thirty hours since you last ate. Right now, everything ought to taste fantastic.

One more near-smile. She bit into it again. Then one more.

I felt a warm sensation in my chest as I watched her eat. The last few days had been terrible for this girl. After discovering her father was a criminal, she had been abducted, pursued by murderers, and now her closest friend was being tortured.

And yet she continued. She still prioritized other people over herself. She was barely able to stand, but she still offered to help save Elena.

In between bites, she questioned, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like I'm some sort of puzzle you're trying to figure out."

"Maybe you are." I reclined in my seat. "By now, the majority of people in your circumstances would be utterly devastated. But here you are, debating with crime bosses and organizing rescue operations."

"I'm definitely broken," she muttered. "I'm just good at hiding it."

"It's not damaged. That is powerful.

The plate was halfway empty when she put down her fork. "I don't feel powerful. I'm scared. I consider what they might be doing to Elena every second that goes by. And the only thing I can do is wait here."

"Waiting is the hardest part," I concurred. "However, my brothers are skilled in their fields. They are the ones who can safely get Elena out."

Isabella nodded, but her doubt was evident.

It buzzed on my phone. Nico sent a message.

In place. Kozlov men surround the building. At least fifteen of them.

Fifteen. That exceeded our expectations.

There was another message.

Discovered another thing. You must view this.

A picture appeared on my screen. My blood went cold as I stared at it.

"What is it?" Isabella noticed a shift in my expression and asked.

I was reluctant to show her. I didn't want to compound the suffering she already endured.

But before I could stop her, she took the phone from me.

Her apartment's interior was visible in the picture. Elena remained strapped to the chair. However, there was now another person in the photo.

A woman with a gun to her head was standing next to Elena.

I recognized the woman.

Chen, Sophia. Luca's former partner. The family attorney.

After Luca confronted the traitor, she was supposed to "disappear."

Isabella's eyes were filled with horror as she looked up at me.

She began, "Isn't that..."

"Yes." My jaw tightened to the point of pain. Additionally, she is fully aware of our methods if she is employed by the Kozlovs. She can anticipate every action we take.

Once more, my phone buzzed. Luca made the call this time.

I responded right away. "Did you see—"

"It's worse than that," Luca cut in, his voice tight with barely restrained fury. "We just received a message from Sophia. She works with more than just the Kozlovs.

"Then what?"

"She has been in charge of them. the entire process. for the previous 12 months." Luca hesitated. She also threatens to kill everyone inside the building if we attempt to save Elena. including herself.