Writer's POV
With gunshots reverberating behind her, Isabella threw herself down the basement stairs, her heart racing. She grabbed the railing to prevent herself from falling when her bare feet slipped on the wooden steps. She yelled, "Marco!" but got no response. Just quiet.
When Isabella got to the bottom of the stairs, she was in total darkness. She used her hands to feel around the walls in search of the tunnel Marco had spoken about. Old wood, cold stone, and then—a metal door handle—came into contact with her fingers. After opening the door, she entered a small tunnel that had an odor similar to that of old water and dirt. Anywhere was preferable to the house full of gunmen, but she had no idea where it led.
The rocky ground cut Isabella's feet as she ran through the tunnel. Behind her, she could hear approaching voices. The basement had been discovered by Anthony's men. It felt like the tunnel would never end. Isabella continued to run even though her lungs were burning. She needed to leave. She needed assistance. Marco needed to be saved. If he was still living.
Isabella finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. The tunnel led to a tiny cavern tucked away among trees. Crawling out, she discovered that she was far from the house on the mountainside. She turned to see smoke rising from where the house should have been. To get rid of any proof, Anthony had set it on fire.
Isabella fell to the chilly ground as her legs failed her. Marco had passed away. She was certain. If he found her, he would kill her just as Anthony had killed him. However, she refused to allow that to occur. Isabella pushed herself to her feet. She needed to reach for a phone. She needed to give her dad a call. Before he killed anyone else, she had to tell him the truth about Anthony.
For what seemed like hours, she staggered through the forest. She was freezing, her wedding dress was ripped, and her feet were bleeding. But she continued to move. At last, she noticed lights coming through the trees. At the base of the mountain is a tiny gas station. Isabella hurried in the hopes that it would be open.
As she pushed through the door, the bell above chimed. Behind the counter, an elderly man raised his head from his newspaper. When he saw her, his eyes widened.
"Are you alright, Miss? You appear to have been in an accident."
Isabella trembled as she said, "I need to use your phone." "Please. There is an emergency."
With a nod, the elderly man indicated a telephone mounted on the wall. Isabella's fingers were shaking as she dialed her father's number.
"Papa? It's me."
"Isabella! I'm grateful. You're where? Are you in pain?"
"You must listen to me, Papa, but I'm safe. The person who has been pitting our families against one another is Anthony Ricci. It was he who murdered Sofia Santoro. It's him who—"
"Slow down, my love." "What are you discussing?"
Isabella filled her father in on everything. About Anthony's scheme to destroy the Romanos and the Santoros in order to seize power, about Marco kidnapping her, and about the spy in both families. When she was done, Vincent asked, "Are you sure about this?"
"Papa, I saw him. He had armed men. He set the house on fire. He claimed to have spent three years organizing this."
Vincent remained silent for a while. "Where are you now?"
Isabella gave him the gas station's address. "Marco attempted to save me, Papa. He may be alive. We must—"
Vincent firmly stated, "We have to get you home safely first." "To get you, I'm sending men. Until my men arrive, don't move, don't speak, and don't put your trust in anyone."
"But Papa—"
"Make me a promise, Isabella. Remain in your current location."
Isabella made a commitment, but she realized she couldn't wait after hanging up. To save her, Marco had put his life in danger. She had to try to help him, if he was still alive at all. She faced the elderly man.
"Do you have a car I can borrow?"
"Miss, it appears that you need a hospital rather than a car."
"Please. It could save someone's life."
The elderly man examined her face. He nodded at whatever he saw there. "Out back is my truck. It contains keys. However, exercise caution as these mountain roads can be hazardous at night."
Isabella rushed to the truck after thanking him. It was rusty and old, but it worked. Her hands trembling on the steering wheel, she drove back up the mountain. She parked the truck as she approached the location of the house and continued walking. In the moonlight, she could make out the charred remains. Ash and black wood were all that remained.
Isabella felt her heart sink. It was impossible for anyone to survive that fire. But she froze when she heard something. Coughing. In the ruins, someone was coughing. Ignoring the danger, Isabella ran toward the sound. Marco was barely conscious when she discovered him lying beneath a heap of charred wood.
"Marco!" She crouched next to him, assessing the extent of his injuries.
"Isabella?" Marco's voice sounded weak. "How did you... I thought you were dead."
"I assumed you were also dead." Isabella assisted him in sitting up. "Can you walk?"
"I believe so. Where is Anthony?"
"Gone. However, we must leave before he returns."
Marco was helped to his feet by Isabella. Despite his injuries, he was able to walk. Just as Isabella heard cars approaching up the mountain road, they arrived at the truck. She helped Marco into the passenger seat and said, "Get in."
Isabella sped down the pitch-black mountain road as fast as she dared. She could see headlights following them in the rearview mirror.
"They're pursuing us," Marco declared.
"I understand. Wait a moment."
Tires squealing, Isabella turned sharply. She maintained control even though the truck skidded. One of the cars behind them wasn't as fortunate. It struck a tree after veering off the road. However, more vehicles were still in the rear.
Marco said, "I have to tell you something, Isabella." "Relating to your dad."
"What about him?"
"He said something odd when I called him earlier to negotiate. He claimed that Anthony had been inquiring about you a lot. Regarding your training."
Isabella's blood froze. "What kind of questions?"
"About your fighting skills. About if you were truly as intelligent as he thought you were."
"Why is that important to Anthony?"
Marco gave her a worried look. "Because he has spent three years preparing for this. He has considered every possibility. As well as what to do in the event that you proved to be more than just a pretty face."
The phone rang for Isabella. Her father was the one.
"Papa?"
"Where are you, Isabella? You're not at the gas station, but my men are."
"Marco and I are in a truck. Anthony's men are pursuing us."
"What? You were meant to wait, Isabella—"
"Marco is still alive, Papa. We escaped Anthony's attempt to kill us both."
"Take him to Fifth Street's safe house. I'll see you there."
After hanging up, Isabella informed Marco about the safe house. However, she saw something that made her stomach turn as they were driving through the city. They were no longer being pursued by the cars. All they were doing was following. As if they were curious about Isabella and Marco's destination.
"I believe we're being led into a trap, Marco."
"What do you mean?"
"We're not attempting to be stopped by Anthony's men. They are pursuing us to find out where we go."
Marco got it right away. "He wants to know the location of your father's safe house."
"And he'll attack it after he finds out. My father and anybody else who stands in his way will be killed by him."
Isabella had to decide. She could endanger her father by driving to the safe house. She could also take Anthony's men somewhere else and deal with them by herself.