Bloodbound Hearts

Chapter 28: The Hidden Truth

Kacey's hands trembled as she lowered the phone. Dimitri's words echoed in her mind, rattling her already fragile sense of security. For the first time since she had begun unraveling the mysteries of her past, she felt genuinely cornered, a pawn in someone else's twisted game.

The house felt too big, too empty. Every creak of the wooden floor, every rustle of wind outside, made her hyper-aware of just how vulnerable she was. But Kacey knew one thing for certain—she wasn't the same woman who had arrived at the Romano estate as a confused nanny. She was done being a victim.

She inhaled sharply, her mind racing. Ivan had given her the key to a hidden room within the safe house—one he said was reserved for emergencies. With Dimitri closing in, this was exactly that. She had to be prepared.

Grabbing her coat and the small duffel bag she had brought with her, Kacey made her way down the hallway toward the basement. The key Ivan had given her was cold in her hand, its metal reassuring in the face of her rising panic.

The basement was dark, but she found the light switch easily enough. A single dim bulb illuminated the space, casting eerie shadows along the stone walls. There, against the far corner, was the door Ivan had mentioned. Kacey hesitated for a moment before sliding the key into the lock and pushing it open.

Inside, the room was small but well-equipped. A row of monitors sat on a desk, all connected to various security cameras stationed around the perimeter of the house. On the opposite wall hung a collection of weapons—guns, knives, even a crossbow. Kacey had never been trained in combat, but at this moment, she wished she had been.

A safe sat in the far corner, and she quickly made her way over, entering the code Ivan had sent her earlier. The door clicked open, revealing stacks of cash, passports, and several vials of what looked like some kind of serum. Beneath it all was a sleek, black gun.

Her breath caught in her throat. She had never fired a gun in her life, but something told her she might have to soon. Hesitating only briefly, Kacey grabbed it, slipping it into her bag before closing the safe.

As she stepped back toward the monitors, something caught her eye. The camera feed flickered, and for a split second, she saw movement at the edge of the property. Her heart dropped.

Dimitri's men.

A surge of adrenaline rushed through her veins. They had found her. And worse—they were already moving in.

Kacey scrambled to grab the phone, dialing Ivan's number with shaking hands. The phone rang endlessly, each second feeling like an eternity. Finally, he picked up.

"Kacey?" Ivan's voice was sharp, all business.

"They're here, Ivan," she breathed, panic edging into her voice. "Dimitri's men. They've found me."

There was a brief pause, followed by a string of curses. "Listen to me carefully," Ivan said, his voice low and controlled. "Get out of the house. Don't engage with them. Head through the woods at the back, there's a path that leads to the main road. I'll have a car waiting for you."

Kacey shook her head, even though he couldn't see her. "I'm not running, Ivan. I can't keep running."

"Kacey, you don't have a choice. Dimitri won't stop until he has you, and you're not ready to face him yet."

"I won't let him control me anymore," Kacey said fiercely, gripping the phone tighter. "Not after everything."

"You don't understand what he's capable of—"

"I understand more than you think," Kacey interrupted, her voice hard. "This isn't just about Dimitri anymore. It's about me. I need to take back control of my life. If I keep running, I'll never be free."

There was silence on the other end, and for a moment, Kacey thought Ivan might argue. But when he spoke again, his voice was softer, more resigned. "Then you need to be smart. Don't fight them head-on. Use the house. Use the traps I've set."

"Traps?" Kacey asked, her heart pounding.

"Yes. I anticipated this. The house is rigged with defensive measures. Motion sensors, panic buttons, even a few surprises for anyone foolish enough to enter uninvited. I'll guide you through it. But you have to trust me."

Kacey exhaled slowly. She didn't have much of a choice. "Okay," she said, her voice steadier now. "I'm ready."

Meanwhile, Dimitri stood at the edge of the property, his sharp eyes scanning the darkened house in the distance. His men were already in position, surrounding the perimeter, waiting for his signal to move in.

It had taken longer than he'd expected to find Kacey, but now that she was within his grasp, he wouldn't let her slip away. Ivan's interference had been a nuisance, but not an insurmountable one. Soon, Kacey would be his again—whether she wanted it or not.

"Sir," one of his men approached, his voice low. "We've disabled the exterior cameras. No sign of movement inside."

Dimitri's lips curled into a dark smile. "Good. Move in. But remember—she's mine. No one touches her."

The man nodded before retreating into the shadows. Dimitri watched as his men advanced toward the house, silent and swift, like predators stalking their prey.

Kacey didn't know it yet, but this was the end of the line. And once he had her, nothing—not even Ivan—would stand in his way.

Inside the house, Kacey paced in front of the monitors, her nerves on edge. Ivan's voice crackled through the phone as he gave her instructions.

"The second they breach the main door, hit the button on the left side of the panel. It'll activate a series of traps designed to slow them down."

"What kind of traps?" Kacey asked, glancing around the room.

"You'll see," Ivan replied cryptically. "Just trust me."

Her fingers hovered over the button, her eyes fixed on the live feed. The men were getting closer, moving in like shadows.

Suddenly, the front door burst open. Kacey's heart leaped into her throat as she slammed her hand down on the button.

There was a loud click, followed by the sound of gas hissing from hidden vents in the walls. Kacey watched in awe as the men staggered back, coughing and covering their faces as the room filled with a dense, incapacitating smoke.

"Now!" Ivan's voice barked through the phone. "Move! Get to the safe room in the basement."

Kacey didn't hesitate. She grabbed her bag and sprinted for the stairs, her pulse racing. Behind her, she could hear the sounds of Dimitri's men stumbling through the house, trying to regain their bearings.

As she reached the basement door, she threw it open and rushed inside, locking it behind her. The room was dark, but Ivan had already explained what to do. She activated the secondary security system, sealing herself inside.

For now, she was safe. But she knew this wasn't over.

Dimitri was out there, waiting.

And soon, their paths would cross again.