Chapter 30

Isabella’s POV

The ropes burned against my wrists.  

I gritted my teeth, twisting my hands, trying to find any weakness in the knots. But Nadia wasn’t careless—she had tied them too tight, leaving no room for me to slip free.  

I had to think of another way.  

The room was dark, the only light coming from a single flickering bulb overhead. I could hear the distant hum of voices beyond the door, but I had no idea how many guards Nadia had posted.  

I can’t just sit here and wait. 

Alessandro would come for me—I knew that. But I wasn’t the same helpless girl who had been trapped in Hell’s Pit. I wasn’t going to sit here and wait to be rescued.  

I was going to fight. I closed my eyes, taking a slow breath. 

Think, Isabella.

The ropes were thick, but my hands weren’t completely numb yet. If I could find something sharp—  

My gaze flickered to the metal chair leg beside me. Rusted. Sharp at the edge.  

I shifted, angling my body so I could drag the ropes against the jagged metal. The rough edge bit into my skin, but I didn’t stop.  

Seconds passed. Then minutes.  

The ropes began to fray.  

My arms ached, my wrists bleeding, but I didn’t care. I would get out of here.  

A sudden noise made me freeze.  

Footsteps.  

I quickly slumped forward, pretending to still be bound. My heart pounded as the door creaked open.  

A man stepped inside, tall and broad-shouldered, his boots heavy against the concrete floor. He had a scar across his chin and cold, lifeless eyes.  

I didn’t recognize him, but I knew exactly what he was.  

One of Romanio’s men.  

He smirked. 

“You’re awake.”  

I stayed silent, watching him through lowered lashes.  

He took a few slow steps closer. 

“You’re lucky, you know. The boss still has plans for you.”  I swallowed down my fear. 

“And what if I don’t want to be part of his plans?”  He laughed, a dark, ugly sound. “You don’t get a choice, sweetheart.”  

Sweetheart.

I thought of Marco calling me that. I thought of the first time I stood in the fight ring.  

And I thought of the woman I had become.  

The frayed rope around my wrists was loose now. One sharp movement, and I could break free.  

I just had to wait for the right moment.  

The man crouched in front of me, reaching out as if to grip my chin. “You know, I—”  

I moved. I jerked forward, snapping my wrists free. Before he could react, I slammed my forehead into his nose.  

He cursed, stumbling back, blood gushing from his face.  

I didn’t hesitate.  

I lunged, grabbing the chair leg and swinging it hard. The jagged metal connected with his head, and he collapsed with a groan.  

My hands were still shaking, but I forced myself to move. I grabbed his gun, checking the clip.  

Loaded.  

Good. I took a deep breath, stepping over his unconscious body. My heart pounded, adrenaline flooding my veins.  

I was free.  

Now, I just had to get out of here.  

I slipped out the door, my grip tight on the gun. The hallway was dimly lit, empty.  

I listened.  

Voices. Two men, talking further down the corridor.  

I pressed myself against the wall, inching closer.  

“…Boss says we move her tomorrow,” one of them muttered.  

“She better be worth all this trouble,” the other grumbled. “Alessandro De Luca won’t stop hunting us for this.”  

My pulse quickened. Tomorrow.

I wasn’t going to be here by tomorrow.  

I tightened my grip on the gun, preparing myself.  

One shot. One chance that's all I need to free myself. 

I stepped into the hall.  

The men turned, their eyes widening in shock.  

I didn’t give them a chance to react.  

I fired.  

The first bullet hit the closest man in the chest. He crumpled instantly. The second man reached for his gun, but I was faster. My second shot caught him in the shoulder, and he collapsed with a strangled cry.  

Silence.  

My breath came in ragged gasps.  

I had killed someone.  I forced the thought away.  

Now wasn’t the time to think about that.  

I moved quickly, stepping over their bodies. The exit had to be close.  

I turned a corner—  

And ran straight into him.

Romanio.  

His dark eyes widened in surprise before his lips twisted into a smirk. 

“Well, well.”  

I raised the gun. “Stay back.”  

He chuckled. “Brave little omega.”  

I tightened my grip, finger on the trigger. “I’m not your omega.”  

He tilted his head. “No. But you are Alessandro’s.”  

I didn’t hesitate.  

I pulled the trigger. Click.

I had ran out of bullets.

Romanio grinned. 

“Nice try.”  

Before I could react, he lunged towards me. 

I tried to fight, but he was too strong. He grabbed my wrist, twisting it until I cried out in pain. The gun clattered to the floor.  

He slammed me against the wall, his grip tight around my throat.  

“You really thought you could escape?” he sneered.