Chapter 3: No Way Out

Elena Pov

A hand clamped over my mouth, stifling my gasp. My body went rigid, every muscle locking in place as a voice whispered against my ear.

"You're making a mistake."

I struggled, my instincts screaming at me to fight, to run, but the grip on me tightened. The stranger’s scent was unfamiliar—clean, sharp, nothing like Alessandro’s cologne.

My pulse thundered in my ears.

Who was he? Was this my ally? Or had Alessandro discovered my plan before I even had the chance to act?

"Don’t scream," the voice warned, his breath warm against my skin. "I'm not here to hurt you."

I stilled, barely breathing.

Slowly, the hand loosened, then disappeared altogether. I spun, stepping back to put distance between us.

A man stood before me, shrouded in darkness. He wore all black, his face partially concealed by shadows. His stance was poised, controlled.

I swallowed hard. "Who are you?"

"You don’t need my name," he murmured. "Just know that I was sent to get you out."

My heart slammed against my ribs. An ally.

"Why should I trust you?" I demanded, my voice barely above a whisper.

The man let out a quiet sigh, as if he had expected my resistance. "Because I was sent by someone who wants you free just as much as you do."

That wasn’t an answer.

"Who?" I pressed.

He hesitated, then said, "Your father."

I froze.

Impossible.

"My father?" My voice was raw with disbelief. "No. He gave me away like a bargaining chip. He made his choice."

The man’s jaw tightened. "And he’s been paying for that choice ever since. He’s not the same man who handed you over, Elena."

I wanted to believe that. I wanted to believe that the father who had raised me—the man who had once sworn to protect me—hadn’t simply discarded me.

But I knew better.

"He’s lying," a voice in my head warned.

And yet… if there was even a chance this was real, could I afford to ignore it?

I exhaled slowly. "How do I know this isn’t a trap?"

"You don’t," the man admitted. "But if you stay here, you’ll never be free. This is your only chance."

My only chance.

Alessandro wouldn’t let me go. I had known that from the moment I said my vows. He was a man who took ownership, and he never let go of what was his.

If I wanted to escape, I had to take the risk.

I nodded once. "What’s the plan?"

The man glanced down the hallway, his posture tense. "There’s a car waiting outside. We have five minutes before the guards change shifts. We go now, or not at all."

I inhaled sharply, steeling myself. "Lead the way."

The Escape

We moved swiftly, our footsteps muffled against the carpeted hallways. Every shadow felt like a threat, every creak of the house a warning.

I kept my breathing even, forcing myself to stay focused.

We descended the grand staircase, avoiding the main entrance. The estate was a fortress—guards stationed at every exit, cameras watching every move.

But my guide seemed to know exactly where to go.

We slipped through a side corridor, heading toward a door at the far end. My heart pounded as the man pressed a gloved hand against it, checking the lock.

Click.

Unlocked.

He eased it open, revealing the night beyond. The air was crisp, laced with the scent of rain.

"Go," he urged.

I stepped out, the cool air shocking against my skin. The estate loomed behind me, its towering walls stretching toward the sky.

Freedom was just within reach.

We moved toward the car parked near the trees, a sleek black vehicle with tinted windows. The man opened the back door, motioning for me to get in.

And then—

A voice shattered the silence.

"Going somewhere, bella?"

Ice flooded my veins.

Alessandro.

Trapped Again

I turned slowly, my breath catching as I saw him standing a few feet away. He was leaning against a column, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

But his eyes…

His eyes burned.

The man beside me tensed, his hand inching toward his waistband. A weapon?

Alessandro smiled. "Careful," he warned. "You wouldn’t want to start something you can’t finish."

My throat went dry.

How had he known? Had he set me up? Or had he anticipated this all along?

I took a shaky step back. "Alessandro—"

He lifted a finger, silencing me.

"You’re disappointing me, amore," he murmured. "After all I’ve given you, you still try to run?"

A chill crawled down my spine.

He took a slow step forward. "Tell me… did you think I wouldn’t notice?"

The man beside me shifted slightly, positioning himself between us. "We’re leaving," he said firmly.

Alessandro tilted his head, considering him. Then, with terrifying calm, he said, "No, you’re leaving."

Something flickered in his gaze—a silent signal.

Before I could react, shadows emerged from the darkness.

Alessandro’s men.

They had been waiting. Watching.

Within seconds, the situation shifted. The man who had come to help me was surrounded, guns drawn, his escape route cut off.

Panic rose in my chest.

Alessandro turned to me, his voice soft, almost affectionate. "You know I can’t let you leave, cara."

I took a step back, but he caught my wrist, his grip firm but not painful. Not yet.

"Enough games," he murmured. "It’s time to go home."

I struggled, trying to pull away, but he only tightened his hold.

The man beside me—my so-called savior—was outnumbered. There was no way out.

My stomach twisted. I failed.

Alessandro leaned in, his voice whispering against my skin.

"You belong to me, Elena."

I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting back tears.

This wasn’t over.

It couldn’t be.

Suddenly—

A gunshot rang out.

I gasped, whipping around.

The man who had tried to help me collapsed to the ground, blood seeping into the pavement.

A strangled cry lodged in my throat.

Alessandro sighed, shaking his head. "What a waste."

He turned to me, his grip tightening.

"Let’s go home, amore."

Terror crashed over me like a wave.

I had lost.