The Dangerous Attraction.

chapter 11 : a desperate escape

Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as Dante's cold gaze bore into him. Every instinct screamed for him to run, but his feet felt frozen to the floor. The looming threat of Dante, just inches away, was suffocating. Ethan's mind raced, desperately searching for a way out, any escape from the trap he found himself in."Don't take too long to decide, Ethan," Dante whispered, his voice like ice. "I'm not a patient man."Ethan clenched his fists, swallowing the lump of fear in his throat. He knew he couldn't just let Dante take him without a fight—Valentina and Isabella had risked too much for him already. He had to act, even if it meant risking everything."I'm not going anywhere with you," Ethan said, surprising even himself with the firmness in his voice.Dante's eyes flashed with dangerous amusement, a slow smile curling across his lips. "Bold. I like that. But you're forgetting something, Ethan." He took a step closer, his voice low and menacing. "I don't make requests. I give orders."Before Ethan could react, Dante's hand shot out, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him against the wall with brutal force. Ethan gasped as pain shot through his back, his breath knocked out of him."You think those sisters can protect you forever?" Dante hissed, his grip tightening. "They're just delaying the inevitable. I always get what I want."Ethan's head spun, the pressure of Dante's hand on his throat making it hard to breathe. He struggled to push him away, but Dante was too strong, too prepared. Panic surged in Ethan's chest. He had to do something—anything—before it was too late.In a split second, Ethan's eyes darted to a heavy vase on the nearby table. It was his only chance. Summoning every ounce of courage, he grabbed the vase and swung it with all his strength at Dante's head.The sound of shattering ceramic echoed through the room as the vase smashed into Dante's temple. He staggered back, a curse slipping from his lips as he let go of Ethan, clutching the side of his head.Ethan didn't wait. The moment Dante released him, he bolted. His feet barely touched the ground as he sprinted through the mansion's halls, his heart hammering in his chest. He could hear Dante's angry shouts behind him, but he didn't dare look back.He had no plan, no clear direction. He just knew he had to get away.---The mansion's grand entryway loomed ahead, but Ethan knew that running straight for the front door would be suicide. Dante's men would likely be stationed outside, waiting. He had to think fast.Ethan turned sharply, heading for the side wing of the mansion. He remembered Valentina mentioning a back exit near the gardens—a quieter, less obvious escape route. His legs burned as he ran, but adrenaline kept him moving.As he rounded the corner, he nearly collided with one of the bodyguards stationed near the back hall. The man's eyes widened in surprise, but Ethan didn't have time to explain."Dante's here!" Ethan gasped, grabbing the guard's arm. "He's inside!"The guard's expression darkened instantly. "Stay behind me," he ordered, pulling out his gun and moving swiftly toward the main part of the house.But Ethan couldn't stay. He had to keep moving.The back exit was just ahead. He could see the garden through the glass doors, the night air cool and inviting. Without wasting a second, he burst through the doors and into the garden, his lungs burning as he sprinted across the neatly manicured grass.His heart pounded in his ears as he ran, but the cool night air helped clear his mind. He had to keep going. He had to reach safety before Dante's men caught up with him.---As he neared the far wall of the estate, Ethan glanced back over his shoulder. He could see figures moving in the shadows—Dante's men, no doubt, combing the property in search of him.His chest tightened with fear, but he forced himself to keep going. The far wall was just a few feet away. If he could climb it and get to the street on the other side, maybe—just maybe—he could find help.But as he reached the wall, a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks."Ethan!"Ethan's heart leapt into his throat. Valentina.He turned to see Valentina and Isabella rushing toward him from the opposite side of the garden. They were dressed in their sleek black combat gear, their faces set with grim determination. Behind them, a few of their loyal guards flanked them, weapons drawn."Valentina!" Ethan shouted, relief flooding his body. He ran toward them, his legs trembling with exhaustion.Valentina reached him first, grabbing him by the shoulders, her eyes scanning him for injuries. "Are you okay? What happened?""Dante," Ethan gasped, trying to catch his breath. "He's in the house—he tried to—""We know," Isabella interrupted, her voice sharp. "We've got men inside searching for him now."Valentina's grip on Ethan tightened. "We need to get you out of here. Now."---Just as they were about to move, a figure emerged from the shadows near the far side of the garden. Ethan's blood ran cold. Dante.He stood there, his face bruised from the vase, his eyes gleaming with fury. He was flanked by two of his men, all of them armed.Valentina and Isabella immediately raised their weapons, aiming at Dante and his men, but Dante held up a hand, stopping them."This doesn't have to get messy, ladies," Dante said, his voice deceptively calm. "I'm just here for the boy. Hand him over, and we can all walk away from this in one piece."Valentina's eyes blazed with fury. "You're out of your mind if you think we're handing him over."Isabella cocked her gun, her expression cold and lethal. "You should leave while you still can, Dante."Dante chuckled darkly. "You always did have a death wish, Isabella." He took a step forward, his gaze shifting to Ethan. "I warned you, Ethan. Now you've made this personal."Ethan's heart raced. He could feel the tension building, the threat of violence thick in the air.Valentina glanced at Ethan, her voice low but urgent. "Run. Get to the car. We'll cover you."Ethan hesitated, fear paralyzing him. He didn't want to leave them behind to face Dante, but he knew he'd only be a liability if he stayed."Go!" Isabella barked, her eyes never leaving Dante.Ethan nodded, his heart pounding in his chest, and took off toward the far side of the garden where the car was parked. He could hear the sounds of gunfire erupting behind him as Valentina and Isabella engaged Dante's men.His legs burned with exhaustion, but he pushed himself harder, knowing that every second counted. He had to reach the car. He had to get out of here.Just as he reached the car, he heard footsteps behind him—too fast, too close. He turned, his heart skipping a beat.One of Dante's men had followed him. The man lunged at him, tackling him to the ground. Ethan hit the pavement hard, pain shooting through his side as the man pinned him down.Ethan struggled, trying to break free, but the man was too strong. Panic surged through him as the man's hands tightened around his throat, cutting off his air.Ethan's vision blurred, his strength fading.And then, suddenly, the weight lifted. The man's grip loosened, and Ethan gasped for air, coughing violently.Through his haze of pain, he saw Valentina standing over the man's body, her gun still smoking.She reached down, grabbing Ethan's arm and pulling him to his feet. "Come on," she said, her voice breathless but firm. "We need to get out of here."Together, they stumbled toward the car, adrenaline pushing them forward. As they sped away from the mansion, Ethan's heart still pounded in his chest, his mind racing with everything that had just happened.Dante had found him. And now, there was no doubt in Ethan's mind: he was in more danger than ever before.**To be continued...**