Price Of Loyalty

Chapter 4

The Web of lies

"Stop it, Marco! I pulled my arm free and shrieked.

His voice was sharp as he pointed a finger at me. "Then explain! How were they aware? Could someone else have informed them?"

I spoke steadily but tremblingly as I met his eyes directly. It wasn't me, but I'm not sure. I promise.

Marco was instantly silenced when Raymond emerged from the darkness. His expression was serene but menacing as he surveyed the situation. "What's happening?"

Marco moved forward. They discovered us because of her. That note was in her possession, and now this—

Raymond interrupted, his voice cold, "Enough." His eyes were sharp as he turned to face me. "Is that accurate, Helen?"

"No! I remarked, on the verge of tears. Why would I act in such a way? I'm being threatened by Dante!"

Before he spoke, Raymond gave me a long look. "Until I find out what's going on, you'll remain confined to the east wing."

Confined? I yelled. Do you believe that I was involved in this?"

He stated in a tone that left no space for debate, "It's for your safety as much as ours." "Marco, watch out she doesn't go."

Marco groaned, showing his mistrust. I felt like my world was getting smaller as Raymond left. How had things gotten so out of hand so fast?

The east wing had gilded walls and was a prison. Marco's accusations and the message from Dante's box kept coming back to me as I walked the room.

My thoughts were disturbed by a gentle knock. With a creak, the door opened and Valeria slid in, her keen eyes looking around the room.

"What are you looking for? I inquired cautiously.

"I've heard about your... "Difficulty," she murmured, shutting the door. "I'd like to assist."

I folded my arms. Why would you lend me a hand?"

She leaned against the wall and grinned. "Because I have a purpose." To put it mildly, I also don't trust everyone in this house.

And what do you stand to gain?"

Valeria's smile disappeared giving way to a cunning expression. Details regarding your dad. I'll clear your identity if you can assist me figure out what he was up to.

She said something that made me shiver. Was she someone I could trust? Most likely not. However, I would never be able to prove my innocence if I remained in prison.

"All right," I responded, despite my gut telling me otherwise. "But if you're telling lies—"

“Calm down,” she said. "There is too much for either of us to lose."

After a few hours, Valeria had left, leaving me with her enigmatic counsel: "Consider your father's secrets." What have you yet to tell us?"

My thoughts strayed to my father's strange behaviours. He brought up the memory of the time he had brought up a safety deposit box. It was his insurance plan, as he had called it. Is that the location of Dante's ledger?

I had to do something. I sneaked out of my room late that night when the mansion was silent. Marco was on a chair nearby, sleeping.

I shook him awake by whispering, "Marco."

His hand went to his weapon as he jolted upright. "What? What is it?"

"I have somewhere to go. Right now.

He knitted his brows. "Are you feeling insane? If Raymond learns, he will murder me.

I begged, "This could clear my name." "Please. Just have faith in me.

After a moment of hesitation, he muttered a curse. "All right. However, you are responsible if this goes wrong.

We slipped out of the mansion without the guards noticing. My heart raced with equal parts joy and anxiety as we drove into the city.

When we got to the bank, it was oddly quiet. To avoid drawing notice, Marco and I crept inside.

My palms were sweating as I walked over to the counter. I handed them my father's old key and stated, "I need access to a safety deposit box."

Despite giving me a suspicious look, the cashier showed us to a tiny, poorly lit-room. In order to give us solitude, she opened the box and moved aside.

A little leather-bound book and other papers were found within the box. As I lifted it, my hands shook. The initials D.R. Dante Rosetti were stamped on the cover.

"That's it," I muttered.

The door suddenly banged open. We were outnumbered, but Marco whirled around and pulled out his rifle. With their guns shining under the intense light, Dante's soldiers flooded the room.

One of them snarled, "Hello, Helen." "Boss gives his best regards."

They caught hold of me before I could respond. Marco retaliated, moving swiftly and accurately, but there were too many of them.

"Release her! As Marco fought against two men holding him down, he yelled in a panicked tone.

Panic seized me as I thrashed against my captors. “Marco!"

As I was pulled toward the exit, the atmosphere was tense. Desperate for a way out, my mind raced. The sounds of Marco's struggle reverberated behind me, including cries, fistfights, and moans.

"Release her! Marco's cry echoed once more, this time with greater desperation.

The man who was holding me gave a gloomy laugh. "She won't be leaving. Dante has been anticipating this.

I glanced over and saw Marco's anxious gaze. He was outnumbered, but he continued to fight with unrivalled might. My heart fell.

Don't, Marco! With my voice failing, I yelled.

My arm was twisted by one of the goons who were holding me. "Stop!"

I wasn't done fighting, though. I threw my weight against the man by stomping on his foot. Even if it wasn't much, it was enough to cause him to trip. I attempted to flee, but the other man easily caught me and pulled me back.

"Aggressive," he whispered. "Dante will take pleasure in shattering you."

Marco gave an almost animalistic snarl of rage. For a moment he was free, running toward me. However, a loud bang reverberated across the room before he could get to me.

I went cold. When I turned to see Marco gripping his arm with blood dripping down his fingers, the sound was so loud that my ears began to ring.

"No! I yelled as I struggled more.

The shooter lowered his weapon and grinned. "I won't miss the next time."

My eyes were burning with tears as Marco staggered, his strength waning. I tried to defend myself and help him, but the men's steely clutches pulled me toward the door.

One of them scoffed and said, "Don't worry." "Princess, Dante has plans for you."

As they shoved me into a waiting car, I caught a glimpse of Marco on the floor, his blood staining the tiles, and my heart broke.