Twenty Seven.

Isabella.

Rocco finds me in the garden just after noon. I’m sitting under one of the tall trees, trying to focus on a book, but the words keep blurring together. My thoughts won’t stay still.

He walks up with that half-smile of his, the one that always makes me wonder what he's hiding.

"Hey Isabella What'sup" he says.

I glance up. "Hi Rocco"

"Matteo wants you on tonight’s mission."

I blink. “Seriously?”

He nods. “Told me himself.”

A wave of surprise, then excitement rolls through me. My stomach flips. I want to run to Matteo and ask him what changed, but I stop dead in my tracks when I remember how cold he's been to me.

“Thanks,” I say, standing. “I’ll be ready.”

I spend the rest of the day preparing. Going over everything I’ve learned. My hands tremble a little when I lace up my boots, but it’s not fear—it’s anticipation.

When night falls, I make my way down to the garage. A few of the men are already there—Enzo, Alexander, Rocco, and two others I don’t know well.

They all glance up when I walk in, some with surprise, others with quiet nods.

Then Matteo walks in.

He’s dressed in all black, face hard, eyes sharp. He moves like a shadow, smooth and silent. My chest tightens when I see him. But I remind myself—stay away. Don’t care. Focus.

He doesn’t look at me when he hands over a gear bag.

“Take this,” he says, voice clipped. “It has everything you’ll need.”

I nod, keeping my eyes on the bag. “Thanks.”

He doesn’t respond.

Matteo turns to the rest. “Listen up. This is a clean sweep. No mistakes. No noise. We’re taking out one of Rossi’s biggest clients. The place is well-guarded. We go in fast, clear the top floors, then take out anyone hiding below.”

“What about survivors?” Enzo asks.

“No survivors,” Matteo says. His tone is ice.

My stomach flips again, but this time it’s nerves. No survivors. This is real.

We load up in two black vans. I sit between Rocco and Hugo, my fingers curled tight around my knives.

Matteo is in the front van. I can’t see his face, but I can feel the weight of his presence.

The drive is quiet. Tense. Everyone is focused.

We reach the compound just past midnight. It’s an old mansion with vines climbing the stone walls. There are lights on in the windows. Laughter echoes faintly.

Matteo gives silent hand signals.

We split up. The men fan out around the mansion. I stick close to Alex and Enzo as we move through the side entrance.

The mission starts fast. Too fast.

Shots are fired. Blades flash. I keep my head down, my steps quick and sharp. I take out two guards near the kitchen. My heart races, but my hands are steady.

We move room to room. Clearing. Sweeping.

At some point, I get separated. A hallway stretches in front of me, darker than the others. A door stands half-open at the end.

I step inside.

A staircase leads down.

I shouldn’t go. Matteo would say stick to the plan. But something pulls me forward.

The stairs creak under my boots. The air gets colder. Damp. I reach the bottom and find a long corridor lined with old brick. A faint sound—whimpering—echoes from the end.

I follow it.

The door at the end is iron. I push it open.

Inside is a small dungeon. Chains on the wall. Bloodstains on the floor.

And a girl. My age. Maybe younger. Curled in the corner. Pale, bruised, barely conscious.

I rush to her.

“It’s okay,” I whisper. “I’m here.”

She looks up at me, lips trembling. “Help…”

I break the chain around her wrist and catch her as she collapses into my arms.

She’s so light. So still.

I lift her carefully and start back the way I came.

“Hold on,” I whisper. “I’ve got you.”

By the time I reach the main hall again, gunfire has stopped. The team is regrouping. Matteo is there—eyes scanning the room, jaw clenched. The moment he sees me, something flashes in his eyes. Relief. Then fury.

He storms toward me.

“Where the hell were you?” he snaps.

“I—”

“I looked everywhere for you,” he growls. “You don’t disappear in the middle of a mission, Isabella. You could’ve been killed.”

I feel my own anger rise. “I found her in a dungeon. She was chained up. What was I supposed to do? Leave her?”

He stares at the girl in my arms. His jaw tightens.

Matteo says nothing. His eyes burn into mine, but I don’t back down.

“She passed out,” I say, adjusting the girl in my arms. “I’m taking her back.”

Matteo doesn't even look at me again, he just gets into his car and drive off. Leaving me with Enzo and the rest.

I bit my lip hard, before helping the unconscious girl into the car.