Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Five
The Trap

I woke up trapped once again. I thought I had escaped but here I am again in the lion's den. 
A dull throbbing settled at the back of my skull, and a metallic taste filled my mouth. My wrists were tied behind my back,the harsh rope bit deep into my skin cutting off the blood circulation. 

The chair beneath me was cold, its metal frame pressing into my legs, making my body ache even more. A musty, damp scent filled the air, mixing with the faint scent of rusted iron. My throat was dry, my tongue heavy like sandpaper in my mouth.

I forced my eyes open, blinking against the dim light. My vision blurred for a second, and my head spun. The appearance of the figure  sharpened before me.

Julia.

She stood there, arms crossed, her lips curled into a smirk. The dim overhead light cast shadows on her face, making her look more sinister.

"Look who's awake," she said, her voice dripping with amusement.

I tried to shift, but the ropes held firm. My arms ached from the tight restraint.

I lifted my gaze to hers, trying to keep my voice steady. "What do you want?"

Before she could answer, slow, deliberate claps echoed through the room. Footsteps followed, heavy and confident.

Alessandro.

He stepped into the light, as composed as ever, wearing a perfectly tailored suit. He looked like he had just come from a high-end dinner, not from kidnapping someone.

"It was never about what I wanted, Adrianna," he said, stopping a few feet away. "It was about what I needed. And right now, I need you out of my way."

A chill ran down my spine, but I refused to let him see my fear. I clenched my jaw. "You said you had answers."

He smirked. "I lied."

Julia chuckled beside him, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "It was almost too easy."

I turned to her, my stomach twisting with disgust. "Why are you helping him?"

She tilted her head, her smirk deepening. "Because I want Nicholas to suffer. And taking you away does exactly that."

I shook my head in disbelief. "You're pathetic."

Her smirk wavered for just a second, but then she rolled her eyes. "You think you're better than me? Nicholas isn’t some hero. He’s just as much of a liar as Alessandro."

Alessandro sighed, rubbing his forehead  as if he was growing bored. "Enough talking. We'll finish this now."

Julia’s expression shifted, her smugness disappearing. "Wait. What do you mean, ‘finish’?"

Alessandro pulled out a gun.

Julia took a step back, her face twisting in shock. "You're going to kill her?"

He didn’t answer.

Julia stepped between us, her hands clenched into fists. "That wasn’t the plan."

He scoffed, his patience thinning. "Plans change."

Julia’s face darkened, and something flickered in her eyes—realization, betrayal. "You used me."

Alessandro chuckled. "You’re just now realizing that?"

The tension snapped. Without warning, Julia grabbed a metal pipe from the ground and swung it at him.

The impact sent a loud crack through the room. Alessandro stumbled back, cursing.

"Run!" Julia shouted.

I didn’t hesitate. My hands were still tied, but I forced my legs to move, crashing through the warehouse doors.

Gunfire erupted behind me.

My heart pounded as I sprinted into the open, my breath coming in sharp gasps. My shoulder burned from the pressure of my tied wrists, but I didn’t stop.

Headlights blinded me.

A convoy of black SUVs screeched to a stop.

Doors flew open.

Nicholas.

He stepped out, gun in hand, his face carved from stone, his dark eyes locked onto Alessandro.

"Get away from her," Nicholas growled, his voice like a death sentence.

Alessandro staggered out of the warehouse, blood streaking his face. He wiped it away with the back of his hand, then smirked. "Right on time."

Nicholas didn't lower his weapon. "Let her go."

Alessandro let out a low chuckle. "I don’t take orders from you."

"Then die," Nicholas said, his finger tightening on the trigger.

"Wait!" Julia ran out, breathing hard. She glanced between them, her expression frantic. "If you shoot him, his men will kill Adrianna."

Nicholas’ jaw twitched.

Alessandro smirked. "Smart girl."

I stepped forward, ignoring the sharp pain in my wrists. "Nicholas, don’t."

His eyes flickered to me, then back to Alessandro. "Let her go, and maybe I'll let you live."

Alessandro let out a laugh, shaking his head. "We both know that's a lie."

More of his men stepped out of the shadows, their guns raised.

Nicholas’ grip on his gun tightened. "You think hiding behind them will save you?"

Alessandro tilted his head. "It’s not about hiding. It’s about winning."

Then he snapped his fingers.

A gunshot rang out.

Pain exploded in my shoulder.

I gasped, stumbling back as warm blood soaked my shirt. My knees buckled, but I forced myself to stay on my feet.

Nicholas' eyes darkened. "Big mistake."

He fired.

The bullet hit Alessandro in the leg. He collapsed with a curse.

Chaos erupted.

Gunfire echoed through the night. Nicholas’ men rushed in, returning fire.

I ducked behind a crate, my pulse racing. My shoulder throbbed, but I forced myself to focus.

Julia slid beside me, panting. "You okay?"

I glared at her. "You care now?"

She didn't answer. Instead, she pulled out a knife and cut my restraints.

"Go," she whispered.

I hesitated.

"Go!" she urged.

I bolted.

Nicholas met me halfway, his eyes scanning my wound. "You're hurt."

"I’ll live," I muttered through gritted teeth. "But Alessandro—"

A loud crash interrupted me.

We turned just in time to see Alessandro, bleeding and limping, crawling toward a car.

Nicholas raised his gun.

"Wait," I grabbed his arm. "Killing him now won’t end this."

His jaw clenched, but he lowered his weapon.

Sirens blared in the distance.

Alessandro’s men scattered.

Julia stood in the middle of the chaos, watching Alessandro struggle.

"You deserve worse," she muttered before turning and disappearing into the night.

Nicholas exhaled sharply, then pulled me into his arms. His grip was strong, steady, grounding me. "It’s over."

I leaned into him, exhaustion creeping into my bones.

I felt a great relief.