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CHAPTER NINETEEN
Last Updated:
2025-03-13 16:55:12
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THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER TWENTY
The safe house was tucked away in the hills, surrounded by dense forest and silence. Matteo had chosen this place for moments exactly like this—when the war outside was raging too loudly, and they needed a place to breathe.As the SUV pulled up, the tension in the air finally began to ease. Luca was the first to step out, scanning the perimeter with sharp eyes. “We’re clear,” he confirmed, though his hand remained on his gun.Matteo turned to Isabella. Her face was pale, her hands still trembling slightly from the night’s chaos. The shadows under her eyes told him she hadn’t truly rested since she’d been caught in this whirlwind of violence and betrayal.He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re safe here,” he said, voice low but firm.She exhaled softly as if she wanted to believe him. “For how long?”“As long as it takes.”The cabin was warm, the fireplace crackling as Matteo poured two glasses of whiskey. Isabella stood near the window, arms wrapped around her
Last Updated : 2025-03-13THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER TWENTY - ONE
The safe house was nestled deep within the countryside, surrounded by towering trees and complete silence. After the chaos, the gunfire, and the chase through the city—it felt like another world entirely. The weight of the past hours still clung to them, but here, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, Matteo could breathe.He ran a hand through his hair as he leaned against the massive wooden dining table, his thoughts still caught in the whirlwind of The Serpent’s latest move. The bastard was always a step ahead. He knew their locations and anticipated their movements. It was more than strategy—it was personal.A soft voice broke through his thoughts. “You’re still thinking about it.”Matteo turned to see Isabella standing near the window, wrapped in a thick sweater that was far too large for her—his sweater. The sight of her, delicate and exhausted yet still breathtaking, sent something sharp through his chest.He exhaled slowly. “I can’t afford not to.”She crossed the
Last Updated : 2025-03-14THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER TWENTY - TWO
The peaceful reprieve of the night before was short-lived. By morning, reality crashed back with a vengeance.Matteo woke with Isabella still curled against him, her soft breaths steady, her warmth grounding him. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to forget the chaos outside these walls. But then his phone buzzed sharply against the nightstand.A single message flashed across the screen: “You’ve been found.”Matteo’s blood ran cold.Isabella stirred as he tensed, her sleepy eyes fluttering open. "What’s wrong?" she murmured, her fingers brushing his arm.He didn’t answer, already swinging his legs off the couch and grabbing his gun from the table. Luca was supposed to be on the lookout. If someone had gotten this close, it meant—The front door burst open before he could finish the thought.Gunfire shattered the morning silence. Matteo grabbed Isabella, rolling them both to the floor behind the couch as bullets tore through the wooden walls.“Stay down!” he barked, drawing his gun
Last Updated : 2025-03-17THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER TWENTY - THREE
Matteo’s mind raced as The Serpent’s laughter echoed in the cold, damp room. The dim light flickered, casting eerie shadows on the cracked concrete walls. The pain from his wound burned, but the fire in his chest burned hotter.He wouldn’t let this bastard win.Isabella trembled where she sat, her wrists bound in front of her. Matteo caught her gaze, the silent plea in her eyes stabbing through him like a blade. He couldn’t let her get hurt. Not because of him.The Serpent paced leisurely before them, his expression one of pure amusement. “You know, Matteo, I expected more from you. The infamous Matteo DeLuca, reduced to this? Tied up and helpless?”Matteo glared at him but said nothing. Words wouldn’t save them now.The Serpent’s grin widened. “No words? No threats? No promises of revenge?” He clicked his tongue. “Disappointing.”Luca groaned from where he was slumped against the wall. Blood trickled down his temple, but his eyes were still sharp, assessing. He was waiting for an opp
Last Updated : 2025-03-17THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER TWENTY- FOUR
The icy water closed over Matteo like a vice, the sudden chill forcing the breath from his lungs. Darkness swallowed everything, the surface above him already distant.Isabella was sinking fast.He kicked downward, arms stretching through the frigid depths, his heart hammering against his ribs. The water was murky, the faint glow of the moon above barely penetrating its depths. His eyes burned as he searched, his fingers sweeping through the abyss.There. A flash of fabric.He lunged, catching hold of her wrist. She was limp. Unmoving.No.Matteo wrapped his arms around her and propelled them upward, legs straining as he fought against the weight of the water. His lungs screamed for air, his vision darkening at the edges, but he pushed harder.Finally, they broke the surface.Matteo gasped, sucking in precious oxygen. Isabella's body was cold against his, her head lolling against his shoulder."Isabella!" His voice was raw, desperate.No response.He swam toward the dock, ignoring the
Last Updated : 2025-03-18THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER TWENTY - FIVE
The night was thick with silence, save for the distant rustle of trees in the wind. Inside the dimly lit bedroom, Isabella stirred beneath the soft sheets, her body still weak from the events of the past twenty-four hours. The fear, the cold, the near-death experience—everything lingered in the air like a ghost refusing to be exorcized.Matteo sat at the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped together in silent thought. The paper with her photograph still burned in his pocket, a constant reminder that danger loomed over them like a shadow.Isabella turned onto her side, her voice soft. “You’re still awake.”His gaze snapped to her, his sharp features softening just slightly. “Couldn’t sleep.”She studied him for a moment before reaching out, her fingers lightly brushing over his knuckles. “Neither can I.”His jaw tightened, the tension coiling inside him like a spring wound too tight. “You almost died tonight, Isabella.”She swallowed. “I know.”His finger
Last Updated : 2025-03-18THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER TWENTY - SIX
The soft glow of dawn seeped through the curtains, casting a golden hue over Isabella’s skin. Matteo watched her sleep, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. For the first time in a long time, she looked at peace. But he wasn’t fooled.Peace was an illusion.His phone vibrated on the nightstand, the sound pulling him from his thoughts. He grabbed it, careful not to disturb Isabella, and answered in a low voice. “Talk.”“The shipment was hit last night,” Nico’s voice came through, tense. “Four men dead, two missing. Someone’s making moves, Matteo.”His grip tightened on the phone. “Who?”“That’s the problem. No one’s claiming it.”Matteo’s jaw clenched. This wasn’t just business. It was war. And the worst kind—the one where the enemy stayed hidden in the shadows, striking when least expected.“I’ll handle it,” he said before ending the call.He turned back to Isabella just as her eyes fluttered open. Sleep still clung to her expression, but something deeper lurked be
Last Updated : 2025-03-19THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER- TWENTY SEVEN
The sound of gunfire shattered the fragile illusion of safety. Matteo shoved Isabella behind the heavy oak table, his body shielding hers as glass rained around them. The air was thick with the acrid scent of gunpowder, and the unmistakable sound of approaching footsteps sent a wave of cold fury through his veins.Luca crouched behind the overturned couch, his gun aimed at the shattered window. “We’ve got at least four shooters,” he hissed. “They’re closing in fast.”Matteo gritted his teeth. “We can’t let them pin us down.”Isabella clutched his arm, her fingers digging into his sleeve. “Matteo—”He turned to her, his gaze fierce but steady. “Stay here. No matter what happens, don’t move.”She shook her head. “I’m not just going to sit here while you—”“Isabella,” he cut her off, his voice low and commanding. “Trust me.”She hesitated, but the raw intensity in his eyes silenced any protest. She nodded reluctantly, pressing herself against the wooden floor.Luca reloaded his gun, eyes
Last Updated : 2025-03-21
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THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FIFTY
The cold air sliced through the trees like a whisper of danger as Mateo stepped forward, the silence around him too loud to be ignored. The forest that once offered sanctuary now felt like a trap, and it was no illusion. His father stood before him—sharp-suited, eyes like flint, and a cruel smile carving his face."I always knew you were stubborn," his father said, his voice calm. "But chasing after that boy... did you think I wouldn't notice?"Mateo’s hand tightened around the gun at his hip. Isabella was just behind him, eyes wide with disbelief, her breath shallow."Where's Luca?" Mateo demanded, trying to mask the tremor in his voice.A low chuckle from the shadows answered him first. Then Elena stepped out beside Mateo’s father.Isabella gasped. "You... you betrayed us again?"Elena didn’t flinch. Her eyes, once full of warmth, now glinted with icy detachment. "You were never supposed to get this far. But I’ll admit... I almost believed you could change things, Mateo. Almost."Ma
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - NINE
The rain had started again, a slow drizzle that painted the world in shades of gray. Mateo stood at the edge of the clearing, eyes scanning the tree line as the scent of wet earth filled his lungs. Behind him, Isabella’s laughter rang softly through the cabin, a fading echo of the rare peace they had found.But peace never lasted.Elena burst through the door, her boots soaked, her face pale. “We have a problem.”Mateo turned instantly, his hand reaching for the gun on the counter. “What is it?”“Luca’s gone,” she said breathlessly. “He went to scout the east side of the ridge and hasn’t returned. It’s been hours.”Isabella stood, her face falling. “No… he wouldn’t just disappear.”Elena shook her head. “No signs of struggle. Nothing. But the tracks I found—they weren’t his alone. Someone else was out there.”Mateo’s jaw clenched. The storm had returned.“Gear up,” he ordered. “We go now.”The forest was darker than usual, shadows crawling like serpents through the underbrush. Isabell
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - EIGHT
The sun filtered through the dusty blinds of the safehouse, bathing the wooden floor in stripes of warm light. It was the kind of morning that promised peace, rare and fleeting in their world, but beautiful nonetheless. Mateo stirred in bed, the weight of Isabella’s head resting gently on his shoulder, her breath soft and even against his skin. For once, there were no gunshots, no sirens, no running.Just quiet.Mateo turned slightly to face her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. She looked peaceful, her guard finally down. The constant tension that had lined her features in the past few weeks seemed to have melted away, if only temporarily. He kissed her forehead lightly, his chest tightening with an emotion he hadn’t dared name before.Love."You're staring," Isabella murmured without opening her eyes, her voice still thick with sleep.Mateo smiled. "How could I not? You're the only good thing in this madness."She opened her eyes slowly, a small smile spreading across h
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - SEVEN
The night had fallen softly over the secluded cabin, cradling it in shadows and silence. For once, there were no gunshots echoing in the distance, no tense footsteps crunching leaves outside. The world had taken a breath—and so had they.Inside, the fire crackled in the stone hearth, casting a warm glow over the rustic room. Mateo sat on the edge of the bed, his shirt open, revealing bruises fading into the tone of his skin. His fingers absentmindedly traced the old scar that ran along his ribs, a reminder of the battles they’d survived.Isabella stood by the window, her silhouette bathed in moonlight. The soft cotton of the oversized sweater she wore barely brushed her thighs. It had been his once. Now it looked better on her. She turned, eyes meeting his, and for a second, the world shrank to just the two of them."You’re thinking again," she said softly, moving toward him.Mateo smiled faintly, tired but present. "I’m always thinking. Especially when it’s quiet like this."She knelt
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - SIX
The forest had fallen quiet after the chaos of their near-capture. The moon hung low and full above them, casting a gentle silver light over the campsite Luca and Elena had managed to set up in a remote clearing. For the first time in days, there were no footsteps stalking them, no shadows whispering threats from the darkness. Just the soft rustling of the trees and the occasional crackle from the fire.Isabella sat by the fire, her knees drawn to her chest, eyes watching the flames dance. Her hair was tousled, her face tired, but there was a softness to her features tonight. The sharp edges of fear had dulled, replaced by a quiet, pensive calm.Mateo returned from the perimeter, his shoulders finally relaxed, the weight of constant vigilance momentarily eased. He saw her, silhouetted against the fire, and something inside him ached. They had both been holding on so tightly—too tightly. And now, in the lull, he felt the tremble of everything he’d held back.He sat beside her silently,
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - FIVE
The silence after his father’s voice was deafening. On the flickering screen, his father stood in a control room lined with monitors, his eyes sharp, unreadable.Mateo took a step forward, heart pounding. “You knew we were coming.”“Of course I did,” his father said calmly. “Everything you’ve done, every place you’ve run to, every person you’ve trusted—I’ve been watching. Waiting.”Elena slammed a fist against the control panel. “He’s bluffing.”But Mateo wasn’t so sure. His father had always been a step ahead. What if this entire escape, their rebellion, had played right into his hands?Isabella pulled Mateo back from the screen. “We don’t have time to let him play mind games.”Luca was already checking weapons, his shoulder wound hastily bandaged. “We need to move. Now. He knows we’re here.”Elena hesitated. “There’s a secondary tunnel, off the east wing. It leads to the old lab where they did the original trials.”Mateo looked at her. “Why would we go there?”Elena met his gaze, so
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY- FOUR
The storm rolled in like a wild beast, winds snapping through the forest canopy as lightning clawed at the sky. Rain fell in slanting sheets, cold and relentless, masking their movements as they pushed deeper into enemy territory.They didn’t speak much. Words felt too heavy now, too fragile against the weight of what was coming. But every glance between them — every brief touch of reassurance — built something stronger than fear: resolve.Mateo led the way, soaked to the bone, face cut and bruised, but his eyes were alive with a fire that refused to die. Isabella stayed close at his side, their fingers brushing from time to time, grounding each other in the storm of their fate. Elena, still a shadow of mystery and grit, navigated the forest with uncanny precision, her knife always at the ready. Luca covered their backs, eyes sharp and unwavering, pain radiating from his wounded shoulder, but ignored.They were running toward danger, not away from it.“Elena,” Mateo called over the roa
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - THREE
The forest held its breath.Mateo’s father stood before them, a cruel twist of a smile carved into his face, as if he’d been waiting years for this very moment. Shadows from the gnarled trees clung to his figure like loyal sentries. Around them, his men emerged from the thicket, weapons raised, closing off every possible escape route. The cold bite of inevitability pressed against Luca’s chest, but he refused to let panic settle."Nowhere left to run," Mateo’s father sneered, his voice like gravel over broken glass.Mateo’s jaw tightened, his body a coil of restrained fury. "You never gave me a choice," he growled, stepping in front of Isabella instinctively. His father’s eyes flicked to the movement, cold amusement dancing in their depths."No, son," he replied darkly. "You just never understood the choices that mattered."Elena’s gaze swept the clearing, calculating. She stepped slightly to the left, eyes catching Luca’s. A silent exchange passed between them, a spark of unspoken str
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - TWO
Silence hung heavy in the air as Mateo's words echoed off the cavern walls. "It’s him. My father."Elena's breath caught in her throat. Luca gripped the hilt of his blade tightly, his knuckles white. Isabella stepped back, her eyes wide with disbelief, flicking between Mateo and the shadowed figure that had haunted them from the very beginning.Mateo's father emerged from the shadows, a cruel smirk curling his lips. His eyes, dark and cold, scanned the group with a familiarity that made Isabella's skin crawl."I always wondered how long it would take you to figure it out, son," he sneered, his voice a venomous blend of mockery and pride. "You’ve grown, but not enough to outsmart me."Mateo’s jaw clenched. His heart pounded like war drums in his chest, every beat roaring in his ears. Memories flooded him—memories of a father who had once held his hand and taught him to fight, only to vanish without a trace, leaving behind a hollow ache that never healed."You were dead," Mateo growled,
