Underworld Desires (COMPLETE)

Chapter 18: The Revelation

Bella could feel the weight of her decisions pressing down on her as they sped through the night, the streets a blur outside the window. The silence in the car was thick with unspoken words. Enzo sat next to her, his jaw clenched, his eyes focused ahead. The tension between them wasn’t just from the chaos they had escaped—it was from the dangerous line they were both walking, and Bella could sense they were about to cross it.

The car pulled up to one of Enzo’s safehouses on the outskirts of the city. Marco, who had driven them in silence, got out first, scanning the area before opening their doors. Enzo was the first to step out, his every movement a calculated display of control, but Bella saw the storm brewing beneath the surface.

She followed him inside, her heart racing. As the door closed behind them, the enormity of everything hit her all at once—the danger they were in, the enemies they were making, the fact that she had almost died today. But more than that, she couldn’t stop thinking about the look on Enzo’s face when he had come for her. There was no mistaking the emotion there—he cared for her. Deeply. And that terrified her.

The room they entered was dimly lit, filled with old, worn furniture. It was a temporary place, one of many Enzo used when things got too dangerous. Bella sank into a chair, her mind swirling with questions and doubts. She had barely caught her breath when the door swung open again, and Marco walked in with an urgent look on his face.

“We have a problem,” Marco said, his voice low.

Enzo stood, his posture instantly tense. “What is it?”

Marco’s eyes flicked to Bella before returning to Enzo. “Detective Martinez. He’s been asking too many questions about Bella’s disappearance. He’s getting too close.”

Bella’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Martinez. The detective had always been determined, but she hadn’t expected him to get involved so deeply. If Martinez knew she had been with Enzo, it would only complicate things further.

Enzo cursed under his breath, pacing the length of the room. “We can’t afford to have him sniffing around. Not now.”

Bella swallowed hard, guilt gnawing at her. Martinez had always been kind to her, trying to help her get out of this mess. But now he was on a collision course with Enzo, and she was caught in the middle.

“I need to talk to him,” Bella said suddenly, her voice stronger than she felt.

Both Enzo and Marco turned to her, their expressions skeptical.

“I can’t let him get dragged into this,” Bella continued, standing up. “If he keeps pushing, he’ll only get himself hurt—or worse. I have to make him back off.”

Enzo’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, Bella thought he would refuse. But then he nodded, though the look in his eyes warned her that this was not without risk.

“You think you can convince him?” Enzo asked, his tone sharp.

Bella met his gaze head-on. “I have to try.”

The next day, Bella arranged to meet Detective Martinez in a small café, far from the prying eyes of the mafia or the police. She sat at a table near the back, her nerves fraying with every passing second. What could she possibly say to Martinez to make him stop? How could she explain everything without endangering him?

Her thoughts were interrupted when Martinez walked in, his eyes scanning the room before landing on her. He approached cautiously, his brow furrowed in concern.

“Bella,” Martinez said as he sat down across from her. “I’ve been worried about you. You disappeared after the attack, and no one’s been able to reach you.”

Bella looked down at her hands, avoiding his piercing gaze. “I’m fine, Alex. I’ve just been… dealing with things.”

“Things?” Martinez’s voice was laced with skepticism. “Things like getting involved with Enzo DeLuca?”

Bella flinched at the mention of Enzo’s name, and Martinez’s expression hardened.

“I’ve been doing some digging,” he continued, his voice low. “I know you’ve been with him. Do you have any idea what kind of man he is, Bella? He’s dangerous. You need to get out of this while you still can.”

Bella took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She had known this conversation would be difficult, but hearing the concern in Martinez’s voice made it even harder.

“It’s not that simple,” Bella said softly. “I can’t just walk away.”

“Why not?” Martinez leaned forward, his eyes searching hers. “I can help you. We can protect you.”

Bella shook her head. “No, Alex, you don’t understand. I’m in too deep. And it’s not just about me anymore.”

Martinez’s expression softened, and he reached across the table, gently placing his hand over hers. “Bella, I’m trying to help you. I care about you.”

Her heart ached at his words, but she knew what she had to do. She pulled her hand away, her voice firm as she said, “Alex, you need to stop. Stop looking into this. Stop investigating the DeLuca family. If you don’t, you’re going to get hurt.”

Martinez’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you threatening me?”

“No,” Bella said quickly. “I’m trying to protect you. If you keep pushing, Enzo will see you as a threat, and he won’t hesitate to take you out.”

Martinez leaned back in his chair, his expression a mix of anger and confusion. “So that’s it? You’ve chosen him? You’re just going to let yourself get dragged into his world?”

Bella’s chest tightened, but she nodded. “I’ve already made my choice. I’m staying with him.”

Martinez stared at her for a long moment, disbelief etched on his face. Finally, he stood up, his jaw clenched. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Bella. But I can’t just walk away. I’m going to bring him down—one way or another.”

As Martinez walked out of the café, Bella felt a sinking dread settle over her. She had warned him, but she knew it wouldn’t be enough. The lines had been drawn, and Martinez was now on a collision course with Enzo.

Bella knew she had to tell Enzo everything. The war between her heart and the world around her was far from over, and the stakes were only getting higher.