The Wolf's Obsession

Chapter 7: Bound by Fire.

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The footsteps outside the safe room grew louder, each step like a ticking clock, counting down to an inevitable confrontation.

Alessandro's grip on Isabella's hand was tight, his expression locked in steely resolve as he listened intently to the movement beyond the door Isabella's pulse thundered, her fingers trembling around the dagger she held, every instinct screaming at her to run, to escape this nightmare. But there was nowhere left to go.

All she could do was stand by Alessandro, her unexpected protector in this twisted, deadly world.

Alessandro glanced down at her, his eyes intense yet strangely calm. "No matter what happens, stay close," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "And if you see a chance to get out of here, take it."

She swallowed hard, shaking her head. "I'm not leaving you. Not like this."

His gaze softened, a flicker of something raw flashing in his eyes- a look that seemed to carry all the unspoken words and hidden feelings they had kept from each other since the moment she was brought to this mansion.

But he didn't have time to argue. A sharp bang against the door snapped his attention back, and he motioned for her to step back, positioning himself between her and the imminent danger.

The door burst open, splintering under the force of the men outside. A group of De Luca's enforcers charged in, their eyes cold and calculating as they took in the room, their attention landing on Alessandro and Isabella.

In an instant, Alessandro's gun was raised, his aim steady as he fired off a series of shots, each one precise and deadly. Two men fell to the ground, but the others moved quickly, ducking behind cover and returning fire.

Isabella pressed herself against the wall, her heart pounding as bullets ricocheted around her. She clutched the dagger tightly, feeling utterly exposed despite Alessandro's presence.

The chaos of the fight was overwhelming, and yet she couldn't tear her eyes away from Alessandro as he moved with lethal efficiency, his every action purposeful, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

But then, as Alessandro took a step back to reload, one of De Luca's men spotted Isabella, his gaze narrowing as he realized who she was. A cold smile crossed his face as he raised his gun, taking aim.

"Alessandro!" she screamed, her voice cutting through the noise. In an instant, Alessandro's head snapped toward her, his eyes widening as he registered the threat. Without hesitation, he threw himself forward, shielding her just as a shot rang out, piercing the silence.

Pain flared across Alessandro's shoulder as the bullet grazed him, but he didn't falter. In one swift movement, he turned, his gun firing off another shot that struck his attacker squarely in the chest.

The man collapsed, a shocked expression frozen on his face. Alessandro stumbled, clutching his bleeding shoulder, his face contorted in pain. Isabella rushed to his side, her hands trembling as she reached out to steady him.

"You're hurt," she whispered, her voice thick with worry. "Alessandro, you need to stop, let me-" But he shook his head, gritting his teeth as he forced himself to stand straight.

"I don't have time to stop" he said, his voice tight. "We need to get out of here before more of De Luca's men arrive." Just as he spoke, another wave of footsteps echoed from down the hall, a grim reminder that De Luca's men were still closing in.

Isabella's fear spiked, and she realized with chilling certainty that there was no safe corner left in the mansion, no place they could hide from the danger that lurked around every corner.