Underworld Desires (COMPLETE)

Chapter 20: Blood Ties

The echo of gunfire still rang in Bella’s ears as she stumbled through the halls, Enzo’s hand gripping hers tightly. They had barely escaped Martinez’s ambush, the narrow hallway now riddled with bullet holes and echoes of betrayal. Every corner of the mansion seemed to pulse with danger, and Bella knew that the next few hours would determine everything—who lived, who died, and what remained of the DeLuca empire.

They reached the safety of the inner sanctum, a fortified room designed for moments like these, but even the thick steel doors couldn’t shut out the sounds of chaos outside. Bella could feel Enzo’s tension, the coiled energy of a man ready to do whatever it took to survive.

“We need to regroup,” Marco’s voice crackled over the radio, his tone urgent but controlled. “They’ve breached the east side. I’m holding them off, but we’re outnumbered.”

Enzo’s jaw tightened, his eyes flicking to the map of the estate on the wall. He was calculating, strategizing, but there was something else there too—something darker. Bella could see the weight of the decisions he was making, the cold ruthlessness that had kept him alive in this underworld.

As Enzo barked orders into the radio, Bella’s mind raced, replaying the moment when she had stood between him and Martinez. She had made her choice, but the consequences of that choice felt heavier now than ever before. She wasn’t just caught between two men; she was caught between two worlds—her past life and the dark, dangerous path she had chosen with Enzo.

Then, a thought hit her like a punch to the gut. Her family.

She turned to Enzo, her heart pounding in her chest. “Enzo, there’s something I need to tell you.”

He glanced at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What is it, Bella? We don’t have much time.”

“My family… my father,” Bella began, her voice trembling slightly as she forced the words out. “He was involved with the mafia. I didn’t know until recently, but I found out… he had ties to Santino’s family.”

Enzo’s expression darkened, and for a moment, there was nothing but silence between them. Bella could see the wheels turning in his mind, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. He stepped closer to her, his eyes locking onto hers.

“What are you saying?” His voice was low, dangerous.

Bella swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the revelation crushing down on her. “I think my father had some kind of deal with Santino. That’s why they’ve been targeting us—targeting you. This isn’t just about control of the city. It’s about me.”

Enzo’s face was a mask of fury, but beneath it, Bella could see the hurt—the betrayal. She had always known that trust was fragile in their world, but she hadn’t realized just how deep the roots of her family’s involvement went. She was tied to the very enemy Enzo had been fighting all along.

“So you’re saying this war… it started because of your father?” Enzo’s voice was cold, a dangerous edge creeping into his tone.

“I don’t know,” Bella said, shaking her head. “But I know Santino is using me. He’s using my family’s name to get to you. I swear, Enzo, I didn’t know. I would never betray you.”

For a moment, the tension between them was unbearable. Enzo’s eyes bore into hers, searching for any hint of deception. Then, slowly, his expression softened, though the storm still raged behind his eyes.

“I believe you,” he said finally, his voice rough. “But this changes everything. If Santino’s been pulling strings from the start, then he’s more dangerous than we thought.”

Bella felt a surge of relief wash over her, but it was quickly replaced by a new wave of fear. She had exposed a deeper layer of this war, and now it wasn’t just about survival—it was personal.

“We need to find Santino,” Bella said, her voice firm. “End this before it gets any worse.”

Enzo nodded, but there was something else in his gaze—a darkness, a thirst for vengeance that ran deeper than she had ever seen before.

“We will,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “But first, we finish this fight.”

Just as he spoke, the sound of an explosion rocked the mansion, the ground shaking beneath their feet. Enzo’s men had fortified the estate, but Santino’s forces were relentless. Bella could hear the shouting, the pounding of footsteps as enemies closed in on all sides.

Marco’s voice crackled over the radio again. “They’re breaking through! We need backup—now!”

Enzo grabbed his gun, his face set with grim determination. “Stay here, Bella. I’ll handle this.”

“No,” Bella said, stepping forward. “I’m not staying behind. We fight together.”

For a moment, Enzo looked at her, and Bella saw something shift in his expression. A flicker of admiration, perhaps even respect. He nodded once, then turned and led the way out of the safe room.

The halls of the mansion were filled with smoke, the air thick with the acrid scent of gunpowder. Enzo’s men were fighting fiercely, but it was clear they were being overwhelmed. Santino’s forces were pushing deeper into the estate, and it wouldn’t be long before they reached the inner sanctum.

Bella stayed close to Enzo, her gun clenched tightly in her hand as they moved through the chaos. Every corner seemed to hide a new threat, every shadow another enemy. But Bella’s mind was racing, not just with thoughts of survival, but with the revelation about her family.

Why hadn’t her father told her? Had he known all along that this war would find its way to her doorstep?

As they rounded a corner, a group of Santino’s men appeared, guns raised. Bella’s reflexes kicked in, and before she could think, she fired. The sound of gunshots echoed through the hallway, and the men fell, one by one.

Enzo glanced at her, a flash of approval in his eyes, but there was no time for words. More enemies were closing in.

They reached the front of the mansion, where Marco and the rest of Enzo’s men were holding the line. The battle was fierce, gunfire lighting up the night as the two forces clashed. Bella’s heart raced as she fired at Santino’s men, her body moving on instinct.

But even as she fought, a part of her was consumed with thoughts of her father, of the legacy he had left her. She had thought she could leave her old life behind, but now it seemed like her past had been hunting her all along.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the chaos—a man Bella recognized instantly. Santino.

He stood at the edge of the battlefield, watching with cold, calculating eyes. He wasn’t here to fight—he was here to watch them fall. And in that moment, Bella knew what she had to do.

With a surge of determination, she pushed through the chaos, her eyes locked on Santino. This wasn’t just about Enzo anymore. This was about her family. About the lies and betrayals that had led them all to this point.

And she was ready to end it.