Truth Sets You Free

Chapter 37

BELLA

After Andrew left, I was able to get myself together. As much as his constant betrayal really hurts me, I have to stay focused if I plan on getting out of here. Thankfully, my plan of escape didn't count on my brother having a change in conscience.

But it did count on one other person in particular. And that person just walked through the door.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I'm not here to kill you." Derek says with a smirk as he saunters over to me. "I've got strict rules from the boss to wait. Apparently, he's got something big planned."

Instead of dwelling too much on whatever 'big thing' Smith has planned, I decide to begin phase one of my own plan.

"I have to go to the bathroom." I say confidently.

Derek's eyebrow shoots up rather quickly. I know he wasn't expecting that kind of a request, which is exactly why I said it.

"I've been here for hours, and I have to go to the bathroom." I repeat politely.

He sighs deeply and looks around the room, clearly not sure how to handle this kind of situation. After a moment of watching the wheels in Derek's brain turn, he finally rolls his eyes and bends down in front of me.

"Alright fine. But nothing funny." He warns as he brings his hands to one of my wrists and begins untying it. When the first one is free, I take advantage of the opportunity to stretch it out. "Don't get used to that." He says as he unties the other wrist.

Before I get a chance to stretch that one, he uses the rope to tie them both together in front of me. My groaning causes a smirk to appear on his face as he moves down to my feet. He can be smug all he wants.

Just like my plan didn't rely on my brother, it doesn't rely on my hands either.

***flashback***

"Well, you're not supposed to punch me in the face." Harry clarifies. "An attack to the face will rarely stop an opponent. You need to go for the stomach, ribs, throat, or the obvious...lower body."

***

With one of my legs free, Derek starts working on the other one and I take a deep breath. Here it goes. As soon as he finishes untying me, I don't hesitate to bring my right knee straight up into Derek's crotch while he's still hunched in front of me.

He yells out in pain, collapsing to the ground as I take the opportunity to jump to my feet.

"You little bitch." He growls, attempting to stand up.

I'd rather not be here when that happens, so I quickly make my way over to the door. My hands might still be tied, but I don't care. I'm getting out of here.

HARRY

So far, things are running surprisingly smoothly. The first goon I encountered had his back to me, so I was able to knock him out from behind. Everyone else I've been able to sneak past without drawing any attention to myself. It helps that I vaguely know my way around this place from having a couple of deals here, but I still don't plan on letting my guard down.

I make my way to the cellar because it seems like as good a place as any to start looking for Bella. When I come around the corner, I freeze because I hear noises.

"God damn it. Fucking bitch." I hear muffled words as I hold my breath and do my best to see what's going on. I catch site of Derek walking out of the cellar, shutting the door behind him and hunching over slightly.

He heads down the hallway in the opposite direction from me, and I take the opportunity to hurry over to the door. Not wanting to waste any more time, I shove the door open only to find an empty room. There's a chair in the center, but Bella's not in it.