The guard guided Anna down the long hallway and then carefully down the stairs, each step deliberate and quiet. At the bottom, he turned to the right, leading her along a dim lit corridor.
Their footsteps echoed against the polished floor, magnifying the sound of her own uneven breathing. Anna’s stomach churned, and her hands trembled as she followed the guard, her eyes darting to the shadows along the walls. The corridor seemed endless, every step slower than the last, each one bringing her closer to Vincenzo.
When they reached a large black door, the guard paused. He didn’t speak, just gave Anna a slight nod, his hand pressing against the back of her shoulder to urge her forward.
Anna’s legs felt like lead as she approached. The door loomed ahead, heavy and intimidating, a barrier bet
