Underworld Desires (COMPLETE)

Chapter 21: A Crossroad of Loyalties

Bella stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as her eyes locked on Santino across the battlefield. The night was filled with the cacophony of gunfire and the shouts of men fighting for their lives, but all of it seemed to blur into the background. Time slowed, and the world narrowed to a singular point—Santino.

He looked at her with an expression that was almost serene, a smug smile playing at the corners of his lips. He had orchestrated this chaos, and he was reveling in the destruction he’d brought to the DeLuca family. To Enzo. To her.

But this was no longer just a fight for survival. It was personal, and Bella felt it deep in her bones. The truth about her father’s involvement in this deadly game had shattered the last remnants of her old life, leaving her standing at the precipice of a decision that would define her future.

“Bella!” Enzo’s voice cut through the fog of her thoughts. He had moved up beside her, gun in hand, his eyes scanning the battlefield before landing on her. “We need to fall back. The men are barely holding them off.”

Bella blinked, her gaze shifting back to Enzo. His face was smeared with dirt and blood, a wild intensity burning in his eyes. He was ready to fight to the bitter end, but she could see the exhaustion in his movements. They couldn’t keep this up forever.

“I can end this,” Bella said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her.

“What do you mean?” Enzo’s brow furrowed as he followed her gaze to Santino.

“I need to talk to him,” Bella said, surprising even herself with the conviction in her words. “I can stop this bloodshed.”

“No,” Enzo growled, grabbing her arm. His grip was firm but not painful. “You’re not going anywhere near that bastard. He’ll kill you, Bella. Or worse.”

“I have to try,” she insisted, her voice shaking but resolute. “This war started because of me, because of my father. I can end it, Enzo. Let me talk to him.”

For a moment, Enzo’s expression wavered. His jaw clenched, and she could see the conflict raging within him. He didn’t want to let her go. He didn’t want to risk losing her. But he also knew she was right. This war had spiraled out of control, and every second they delayed only brought them closer to total destruction.

“I won’t let you face him alone,” Enzo finally said, his voice like steel. “We do this together.”

Bella nodded, her chest tight with both fear and determination. Together. It was the only way.

With a glance toward Marco, who was holding the line with the remaining soldiers, Enzo signaled for a temporary ceasefire. The sound of gunfire gradually died down, the tension thick in the air as both sides hesitated, unsure of what was happening.

Bella and Enzo moved forward, their steps slow and deliberate as they approached Santino. His men parted to let them through, their guns still trained on the pair but not firing. Santino watched them with an amused look, his dark eyes gleaming with triumph.

“Ah, Isabella,” Santino said, his voice smooth and venomous. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

Bella felt a chill run down her spine at the sound of his voice. He was far more dangerous than she had realized, not just because of his power, but because of his ability to manipulate, to twist everything to his advantage. But she wouldn’t let him win. Not this time.

“This ends tonight, Santino,” Bella said, her voice steady despite the hammering of her heart. “No more blood

. No more violence. We settle this, now.”