Saving Isabella

Chapter 28

POV NICK ROSSI:

I sprint up the stairs, my heart pounding in rhythm with the muffled yelling echoing through the house. I hear a loud, jarring thud. Fuck. Panic surges through me, and I begin skipping steps, practically leaping up the staircase. When I reach the second floor, Dylan's door stands ajar. Without hesitation, I rush toward it.

The scene inside freezes me for a split second. Dylan lies crumpled on the floor, his body trembling as he sobs and pleads, his arms curled protectively over his head. Arthur towers over him, his face twisted with anger, delivering brutal kicks to Dylan's chest. Out of fury and instinct I lunge forward, grabbing Arthur under the armpits and hauling him backward. He thrashes wildly, his strength almost breaking my grip. For a fleeting moment, I think he's going to break free of my grip, but I push through, shoving him onto Dylan's bed. My arms tremble with the effort. God, I really should train more...

Arthur stops struggling and collapses onto the mattress, his chest heaving. I don't give him another glance as I turn to Dylan. He's curled up in a tight ball, his eyes squeezed shut, tears streaming down his cheeks. The sight tears at my heart. I sink to the floor, sitting cross-legged, and pull him into my arms. My hand strokes his hair as he sobs into my chest, his body shaking with every breath.

A sharp voice slices through the tension. "What happened?" I whip my head around to see Alex standing in the doorway, urgency etched on his face. I try to respond, but the words are stuck in my throat. Dylan sniffles, then pushes himself upright, wriggling free of my embrace. He wipes his eyes with the back of his hand, his movements shaky. When his gaze flits around the room, a look of sheer terror takes hold. My stomach twists.

Dylan's frightened eyes lock onto Arthur, who's now sitting at the edge of the bed. Shit. I hadn't even noticed he was still here. Arthur rises slowly, running a hand through his disheveled hair. His movements are deliberate, yet Dylan backs up, pressing himself against the wall like a cornered animal. "I—I'm so sorry," Arthur mutters, his voice hoarse.

"Arthur..." I begin cautiously, choosing each word carefully. "I think it would be best if you leave." He scoffs, but something in my tone keeps him from arguing. With a muttered curse, he storms out of the room. Dylan exhales a shaky breath and slides to the floor.

I turn to Alex, but before I can say anything, a figure darts past me, slipping into the hallway. Long hair bounces as the figure disappears around the corner. "Isa!" I shout, recognizing her instantly. She must have snuck in unnoticed. "Alex, stay with Dylan!" I plead, giving him a look before chasing after Isa.

By the time I reach the front door, Isa is already trying to pull on her shoes, her movements frantic. "Isa, wait!" I call out. She freezes, startled, then turns toward me. Her eyes are red and swollen, tears and snot streaking her face. Slowly, I approach her with open arms.

When I reach her, she lets out a whimper, her body stiff with tension. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her close, and after a moment, she sags against me, her breathing ragged and uneven. It hits me suddenly—she's hyperventilating. Without thinking, I scoop her into my arms and carry her into the living room, settling onto the couch with her cradled in my lap.

"Baby, please look at me," I whisper. She doesn't respond, her hands rubbing her thighs with frenetic energy, her face flushed from the effort. Tears stream down her cheeks, relentless. Gently, I take one of her hands and place it on my chest. "Isa, focus on me. Follow my breathing, okay?"

I take a slow, deep breath, exaggerating the rise and fall of my chest. She struggles to match my rhythm, her breaths shallow and erratic. Minutes stretch like hours as I guide her, my voice soft and steady. "You're doing great. Just stay with me."