Chapter 66

The flames roared, devouring the warehouse with a relentless hunger. Smoke billowed in thick, suffocating waves, stinging Enzo's eyes and burning his throat as he set the last explosive in place. The heat pressed against his skin, beads of sweat dripping down his forehead.

"Come on," he muttered, wiping his brow as he turned to Isabella. "We don't have much time."

But just as they moved toward the exit, a set of footsteps echoed through the inferno.

Then another.

And another.

A chill ran down Enzo's spine, despite the sweltering heat. He grabbed Isabella's arm, pulling her behind him just as figures emerged from the haze-Moretti's men.

Their guns gleamed under the flickering light, aimed directly at them.

"Did you really think you could just walk out of here?" one of them sneered, his voice rough from the smoke.

Isabella clenched her fists, her pulse pounding. "We don't have time for this," she hissed.

Enzo's jaw tightened. He scanned the warehouse-half the structure was already crumbling, the fire rapidly consuming everything in its path. If they didn't get out now, they never would.

But Moretti's men weren't budging.

"Drop your weapons," another commanded.

Enzo let out a slow breath, calculating. They were outnumbered, sure. But not outmatched.

And these idiots didn't realize just how much they were running out of time.

The flames cracked, a wooden beam groaning before crashing to the floor, sending a shower of sparks into the air. Isabella flinched.

Enzo saw his opening.

With lightning speed, he lunged forward, slamming his fist into the closest man's face.

The impact sent him stumbling back. Gunfire erupted, bullets slicing through the air as chaos exploded around them.

Isabella ducked, twisting away from an incoming attacker. A man grabbed for her, but she pivoted, bringing her elbow up sharply-right into his ribs. He gasped, doubling over. She didn't hesitate, snatching the gun from his grasp and spinning around to cover Enzo.

He was a whirlwind, fists and elbows striking with precision, dodging blows with practiced ease. But they didn't have time to fight their way out-not with the fire closing in.

Enzo whistled sharply.

The signal.

A deafening BOOM shook the warehouse as the explosives detonated.

The force sent a shockwave through the air, knocking Moretti's men off their feet. Glass shattered, wood splintered, and the inferno surged, swallowing everything in sight.

"Isabella!" Enzo shouted, eyes searching wildly through the thick smoke.

His heart lurched when he saw her-coughing violently, her body swaying.

No.

Not now.

He didn't think-he just moved.

Dodging the debris and flames, he sprinted toward her, wrapping his arms around her just as her knees buckled.

"I got you," he rasped, pulling her against his chest.

Her breathing was shallow. Her skin, unnervingly cool despite the fire raging around them.

Enzo gritted his teeth, adjusting his grip before taking off, carrying her through the flames.

Each step burned. His muscles screamed. His lungs ached. But he didn't stop.

He couldn't.

The second they burst through the collapsing doors into the night air, Isabella let out a strangled cough-then went limp.

Enzo's heart nearly stopped.

"Isabella?" He shook her gently.

Nothing.

Panic surged through him like ice in his veins. He dropped to his knees, laying her down carefully.

She was too still.

Too quiet.

His breath came fast and harsh as he pressed his fingers to her pulse-faint but there. Relief warred with fear as he brushed a strand of soot-covered hair from her face.

She needed help. Now.

Without another second to waste, Enzo scooped her back up and carried her into the darkness.

When Words Fail

The flames were gone now, replaced by the gentle flicker of a fireplace in a secluded cabin.

Enzo sat in the dim light, elbows resting on his knees, watching over Isabella's unconscious form.

She looked fragile like this. Too fragile.

It unsettled him.

He wasn't used to feeling helpless. But right now?

That was exactly what he was.

Her breath was steadier now, but exhaustion still clung to her face, her lips slightly parted as if caught in the middle of a dream.

Enzo raked a hand through his hair.

He had failed her.

If he had been faster-stronger-maybe she wouldn't have been trapped in that fire. Maybe she wouldn't have inhaled so much smoke.

Maybe she wouldn't be lying here, pale and motionless.

He exhaled sharply, fists clenching.

Then-

A sound.

Soft. Barely a whisper.

His name.

His heart stopped.

Then, as if the universe wasn't done toying with him, another whisper followed.

"I love you."

The words were faint, but they hit him like a bullet to the chest.

His breath caught.

Did she-?

Did she even know what she had just said?

His gaze darted to her face, searching for some sign that she was awake, that she meant it.

But she remained still.

Unconscious. Completely unaware.

Enzo swallowed, his throat tight.

A part of him wanted to believe it was just delirium. That the words meant nothing.

But deep down?

He knew better.

And that scared the hell out of him.

A Confession in the Dark

Midnight cloaked the cabin, the air crisp and cool.

Isabella stirred, her eyes fluttering open to find the room bathed in darkness, save for the faint glow of the dying fire.

Something feltoff.

The warmth beside her was gone.

Frowning, she sat up, ignoring the slight ache in her chest. The cabin door was slightly ajar, a whisper of wind slipping through.

He was outside.

She knew it before she even stepped onto the damp grass, the stars stretched endlessly above her.

Enzo stood a few feet away, his back to her, lost in thought.

Isabella hesitated, then took a breath.

"Enzo."

He didn't turn.

Her chest tightened. She moved closer, stopping beside him. His face was unreadable, shadows hiding the storm in his eyes.

She couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Do you love me too?"

The words left her before she could second-guess them.

She expected hesitation. Maybe even denial.

But what she didn't expect-

Was for him to grab her wrist, spin her around, and pull her in.

Her breath hitched as his hand cupped her face, thumb tracing lightly over her cheek.

The world around them vanished.

All she could hear was the distant rustling of leaves. All she could feel was the heat of his body, the tension crackling between them.

His breath was warm against her lips, so close-too close.

And just as he leaned in-

Click.

The sound of a gun cocking cut through the air like a blade.

Isabella's blood turned to ice.

Enzo froze.

In the darkness, a shadow moved.

Then-

A low, dangerous voice.

"Step away from her, Calloway."

A sniper.

Aimed right at them.