One Hundred & Thirty Nine

One Hundred & Thirty Nine
Darius barely had time to react when the sound of boots and shouting filled the room. Colin had burst in, flanked by uniformed officers, their guns trained on Lorenzo.

“Freeze!” one of the officers shouted, and Darius felt a flicker of relief wash over him.

Lorenzo’s eyes widened, shock breaking through his cold mask. “What… what is this? Did you.. you bastard how can you do this to me.” he demanded, but his voice lacked its usual venom.

“You’re under arrest, Lorenzo Venynar,” another officer said firmly, stepping forward. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You are charged with multiple counts including conspiracy, extortion, kidnapping and murder.”

Darius’s hand relaxed on the gun. He watched, tense but relieved, as the officers moved quickly, cuffing Lorenzo’s hands behind his back.

“This… this isn’t over,” Lorenzo spat, struggling against the officers, his eyes still burning with fury. “You’ll regret this, boy! You will—”

“Save it,” Darius said coldly, his voice deadly calm. “You don’t get to rot in jail that easy. I’m not done with you.”

The officers read him his rights again, and Darius felt a heavy weight lift from his chest. For the first time in weeks, he allowed himself to breathe.

Colin stepped closer, giving him a quick nod. “We’ve got him, Darius. Finally it’s over.”

Darius watched as Lorenzo was escorted out of the mansion, his cold eyes darting one last time toward him, burning with hatred that no longer mattered.

Darius’s heart was still racing as he turned to Colin, his jaw tight. “She’s here,” he said, voice low but sharp. “Amara… she’s in the mansion. We have to find her now.”

Colin’s eyes widened. “What? Are you sure?she can’t be.. ”

“He said she’s here ..,” Darius cut him off, his fists clenching. “She’s here somewhere. We need to search every room. Every floor. Every hidden corner. Don’t waste a second.”

Colin nodded quickly and relayed the orders to the officers. “Check the entire mansion,” he said into his radio. “Room by room, floor by floor. She might be hiding, or… or Lorenzo could’ve moved her somewhere hidden in the mansion.”

Darius’s eyes swept over the police officers, determination etched into every line of his face. “We need to move fast,” he said. “She must be terrified, please be careful.”

The officers split up, moving systematically through the mansion, calling her name. “Amara! Are you here? It’s okay, we’re here to protect you!”

Darius’s stomach twisted with fear and urgency. Where could she be? he thought. Please, let her be safe…

Minutes felt like hours. Every door he opened, every hallway he checked, his mind raced with possibilities. He couldn’t imagine what she must have felt… trapped, scared, alone.

Finally, an officer shouted from the far end of the mansion. “We’ve got her! Over here!”

Darius sprinted toward the voice, his heart hammering so hard it felt like it would burst from his chest.

There she was… Amara, pale and shaken but unharmed, standing in the corner of a room. Relief flooded him like a tidal wave. He didn’t think; he ran to her, scooping her up into his arms.

“It’s okay… I’ve got you,” he murmured, holding her tight. “You’re safe now. Oh sweetheart..”

Amara clung to him, tears streaming down her face. “Darius… I was so scared,” she whispered.

“I know, my love,” he said, his voice shaking just slightly. “I’m never letting anyone take you from me again. I swear it.”

The officers watched quietly, giving him space, as Darius held her like he would never let go.

And in that moment, with her trembling in his arms, he knew one thing for certain nothing.. not Lorenzo, not Don Matteo, not anyone.. would ever be apart of their lives.

Darius held Amara close, rocking her slightly as her sobs began to calm. Her small, trembling body pressed against his chest, and for a moment, all the fear and chaos around them seemed to vanish.

“Shh… it’s okay,” he whispered, his voice low and steady, though inside his chest his heart was still racing. “You’re safe. I’m here. No one’s going to hurt you again.”

Amara lifted her tear-streaked face just enough to look at him, her eyes wide and filled with fear, confusion, and relief all at once. “I… I thought he had me, he told me you collapsed and I ..” she whispered. “I thought—”

Darius tightened his hold around her, cutting her off softly but firmly. “Dont think about it my love. He’s gone, Amara. He’s in police custody, and he’s never going to hurt you again. I promise.”

She buried her face back into his chest, clinging to him as if letting go might mean losing him too. Darius could feel her small body trembling against his, and a surge of protective fury rose in him. If anyone ever tries to hurt her again… he thought, they’ll regret it.

He slowly led her toward the couch, still holding her, and sat down, careful to keep her in his arms. “Take your time,” he said softly. “Breathe. Just breathe. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Amara’s hands clutched at his shirt as she let out a shaky breath. “I… I don’t even know what to say,” she murmured. “I was so scared…. I… I didn’t know if anyone would find me.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Darius said, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. “I know. I know what he did. And he would pay dearly for it.”

Her tears began to slow, but she remained pressed against him, finding comfort in his arms. For Darius, the sight of her like this…vulnerable, shaken, but alive…sent a mix of relief, guilt, and fierce protectiveness through him.

“Let’s get you somewhere safe,” he said finally, gently standing with her still in his arms. “You’re coming back to the mansion with me, but this time… this time, no one’s going to touch you. I’ll make sure of it.”

Amara nodded weakly, still clinging to him. “I’m sorry ,” she whispered.

Darius’s jaw tightened, and he allowed himself the smallest breath of relief. “It’s okay .”

As the police officers finished securing Lorenzo and began escorting him out, Darius carried Amara through the mansion, her small hands clutching his shirt like a lifeline. Every step he took, every moment he held her, he vowed silently that nothing… not threats, not lies, not anyone—would come between them again.

When they reached the safety of the mansion’s private wing, he finally set her down. “Go rest,” he said softly, still keeping his hands on her arms. “I’ll be right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Amara sank into the chair, exhausted, her eyes still glossy with unshed tears. “I… I don’t want to stay away from you” she admitted, her voice trembling.

“I know, just give me a second okay ,” Darius said gently. “

She nodded, her small hand brushing his as she looked up at him.