Price Of Loyalty

Chapter 5

The Rescue

The air was thick with the smell of moist wood and something metallic, and the chamber was dark. The weight in my chest was far more painful than the tight ropes cutting into my skin, which caused my wrists to hurt.

Dante smirked cruelly as he leaned back in his chair. "You don’t know the full story, do you, Helen?"

I didn't say anything because I didn't want to satisfy him with an answer.

His tone was mocking as he went on. "Your father... the honorable Anthony. Do you know how many families he destroyed? How many lives were ruined because of him?"

I balled my fists up. "I have nothing to do with anything my father did."

Dante leaned closer and snarled, "Oh, but it does." "My family lost everything as a result of your father's treachery. What about Raymond's family? Nor is he a saint. Do you believe he is defending you out of generosity?"

I didn't want him to notice my mistrust, even though his comments hurt. I shot back, though my voice trailed off, "You're lying."

Dante let out a low, ominous laugh. "Am I? Ask him. Inquire about Raymond's bloody hands. And the part your father played in it.

I closed my eyes and turned away. His remarks were poison that soaked into my willpower.

"Where is she? Raymond's voice cut through the tension in the room with its sharpness.

Valeria's attitude was calm but defiant as she crossed her arms. "I had nothing to do with it, as I told you."

Valeria recoiled as Raymond slammed his fist against the table. "You were meant to watch after her! Dante is holding her now. Should something happen to her—

Marco, whose arm was still bandaged from the ambush, interrupted, "Raymond, stop." "This is not assisting."

Raymond crossed the room after giving Valeria a fierce look. You could feel his despair as much as his anger.

When Marco finally said, "She's at one of his hideouts." "We'll track her down. But we must have a strategy.

Raymond yelled, "There's no time for a strategy. "We're on the move now."

I acted as soon as the guard entered the room. My knee slammed into his groin as my body instinctively responded. I grabbed the chair and swung it at him with all my strength as he staggered back, swearing.

I hissed, my voice shaking from the rush of adrenaline, "Stay down."

I didn't wait for him to get well. With my bare feet smacking the chilly floor, I sprinted out of the room. Shadows stretched ominously along the walls of the dimly shown passageway.

"Go get her! Behind me, someone yelled.

With my heart thumping in my ears, I accelerated my pace. A door suddenly opened in front of me just when I thought I had reached a dead end.

"Helen!"

Raymond was the one. I felt a wave of relief, but it was fleeting. Dante's soldiers were closing close behind him.

"Go now! He grabbed my hand and yelled.

Together, we dashed through the maze-like passageways. I recoiled at the sound of gunshots reverberating.

Raymond pulled me into a stairwell and urged me to go this way. Every muscle in my body screamed in protest as we bounded down the stairs.

A car outside screeched to a stop when we arrived at the ground floor. "Get in!" said Marco, leaning out of the driver's seat."

Bullets flew by as Raymond shoved me forward and covered my back. Marco pressed the gas and we jumped in the car.

The hideout vanished into the distance as we rushed off, the tyres screeching. I couldn't tell if the heave in my chest was from the terror or the run.

I didn't wait for Raymond to say anything when I got back to the mansion. I turned on him as soon as we entered.

"What do you not tell me? With a voice trembling with fear and rage, I demanded.

With a groan, Raymond combed through his hair. "Now isn't the time, Helen—"

"No! I interrupted him and moved forward. "Dante made statements... about your family, about my father. Raymond, I need the truth. What do you not tell me?"

He paused while the emptiness between us became wider and wider. He exhaled at last and combed through his hair.

"My family was destroyed by your father's treachery, Helen," he added in a quiet but firm voice. "That ledger... There is more to it than numbers. It documents every transaction and betrayal. This includes the one that killed my parents.

The room seemed to lose its air. His words struck me like a physical blow, and I staggered back.

With a lump in my throat that seemed to choke me, I muttered, "So you've been using me."

Raymond's mouth clenched. Yes, initially. But now...” He took a step forward, his dark eyes meeting mine. "I want you to comprehend. In this, you are more than simply a pawn. No more.

The sound of breaking glass came from above before I could reply. Our eyes snapped to the ceiling as we both froze.

Raymond said in a quiet but forceful voice, "Stay here."

I wasn't going to stay put, though. "What is it? I muttered, my heart pounding.

He reached for the revolver that was stowed at his side without responding. Footsteps creaked overhead, adding to the oppressive tension in the room.

There was another person in the mansion.

Before I could respond, the sound of glass shattering upstairs made us both freeze. Someone else was in the mansion.