The Don's runaway bride

CHAPTER FOUR : THE ESCAPE

Elena didn't sleep.

How could she?

In less than twenty-four hours, Dante Moretti planned to make her his wife.

Absolutely not.

She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the door.

Two guards stood outside.

Dante really thought he had everything under control.

Unfortunately for him, he didn't know Elena very well.

At 3:17 a.m., Elena made her move.

She tied her bedsheets together and secured them around the balcony railing.

Below her was a garden.

A very long drop.

Elena swallowed.

"Don't look down."

She climbed over the railing.

One step.

Then another.

Her hands burned against the fabric.

Halfway down, she heard a voice above her.

"Interesting choice."

Elena froze.

Slowly, she looked up.

Dante stood on the balcony.

His arms folded.

Watching her.

"Don't just stand there!" she snapped. "Help me!"

Dante raised an eyebrow.

"You were escaping."

"I changed my mind."

"Did you?"

The sheet suddenly tore slightly.

Elena screamed.

Dante moved instantly.

He grabbed her arm just as she slipped.

For one terrifying second, Elena hung in the air.

"Don't let go!" she cried.

Dante pulled her back onto the balcony.

Elena landed against his chest, breathing heavily.

Neither of them spoke.

Then Dante looked down at her.

"You could have died."

"That would've solved your wedding problem."

His expression darkened.

"Don't say that."

Elena pulled away.

"Why do you care?"

Dante stared at her.

For a moment, she thought he might answer.

Instead—

BANG!

A bullet shattered the glass beside them.

Elena screamed.

Dante immediately pushed her to the ground.

Another bullet hit the wall.

"They found us," he growled.

Elena's heart raced.

"Who?"

Dante pulled out his gun.

His eyes turned cold.

"The reason you're marrying me."

He grabbed her hand.

"Move."

They ran through the hallway as guards flooded the mansion.

Gunshots echoed outside.

Elena's breathing became uneven.

"This isn't normal!"

Dante looked at her.

"Neither is someone trying to kill you."

They reached a hidden door at the end of the corridor.

Dante pushed it open.

A narrow staircase appeared.

Elena stopped.

"Where does that lead?"

"Somewhere safe."

"I'm tired of your definition of safe!"

Dante grabbed her waist and pulled her inside just as another explosion shook the mansion.

The door slammed shut behind them.

Darkness swallowed them.

Elena's back pressed against the wall.

Dante was dangerously close.

His hand was still around her waist.

"Are you hurt?" he whispered.

She shook her head.

For a second, neither moved.

Then Elena looked into his eyes.

"You knew this would happen."

Dante's jaw tightened.

"I knew it was possible."

"Who wants me dead?"

His silence made her furious.

"Tell me!"

Dante finally spoke.

"They're looking for something."

"What?"

"Something your mother left behind."

Elena froze.

"My mother?"

Before Dante could explain, his phone rang.

He answered immediately.

Marco's voice came through.

"Dante, we have a problem."

Dante's expression changed.

"What?"

Elena watched him closely.

Marco said something she couldn't hear.

Dante slowly lowered the phone.

His eyes met Elena's.

Her heart sank.

"What happened?"

Dante didn't answer.

"Dante!"

He stepped closer.

And whispered—

"They found your father."

Elena's eyes filled with relief.

"He's alive?"

Dante's silence lasted one second too long.

Her relief disappeared.

"What happened to him?"

Dante's voice was low.

"He's with the people trying to kill you."