Gunshot

Chapter Five

Mirabelle's POV

My heartbeat spiked the instant he stormed out of the room. I dropped flat on the bed, my mind blank as the sound of constant gunshots rattled the walls.

This was just a tip of an iceberg. The way he has reached the other time shows me that this wasn't the first time something like this would be happening, and it seemed like a normal occurrence to them all.

I wouldn't stand and accept something like this forever. I wouldn't want to get married to a man like this 

He had told me not to step outside, but staying in here felt just as dangerous. Maybe this was the only chance I had to escape.

The guards would all be outside, fighting. Busy. Distracted. I’d have to risk my life to slip away.

Slowly, I pushed myself up to my feet, my legs trembling. My eyes darted around the room, desperate to find anything useful once I got out. Nothing. Just walls, curtains, shadows.

I tiptoed toward the door, my hand shaking so hard it barely gripped the knob. Beads of sweat trickled down my forehead as I twisted it open. The hallway yawned before me, and the house felt unnervingly silent.

I ran. As fast as my legs could carry me, down the stairs, praying I wouldn’t get caught.

All I needed was a weapon. A knife. But the house was enormous, and I had no idea where the kitchen was.

I turned corner after corner, panic threatening to choke me, until finally—

“There it is.”

I rushed inside, hands fumbling as I grabbed the first knife I saw. My chest rose and fell wildly. This was my only chance. The crack of gunfire outside made me flinch so hard I almost dropped it. I gripped it tighter, hiding it behind my back.

Everything was just as I had predicted—no one inside the house. The front door stood wide open.

I crouched low, heart in my throat, and peeked out. The fight was just a few meters away, around the fountain at the center of the compound.

I had to move behind the trees and flowers, inch by inch, until I could slip out. Hopefully without catching a stray bullet.

Keeping my body low, I darted from tree to tree, each step threatening to betray me. Finally, I reached the end of the line of trees.

From there, I saw him.

Luca. His broad back squared as his men stood around him, some in front, some behind, all shooting relentlessly toward the other side. The opposing team was crouched low behind the fountain, bricks shielding them.

Bodies lay scattered across the ground—lifeless. My stomach twisted, bile rising in my throat.

I just needed to cross. Just one move.

“Where is the lady you brought with you?” A voice rang out suddenly, deep and sharp. The gunfire stopped. My heart lurched.

The man speaking had to be the other leader. I couldn’t see his face, but Luca stood tall, facing him without fear.

“I knew you’d come once you figured out I had her,” Luca replied coldly. “I got her fair and square. Bought her. You have no right to claim her anymore. If you want to settle this…”

Wait. They were fighting over me?

“You always take what belongs to me—”

I scoffed bitterly under my breath. I didn’t even know who the hell this man was. Why were they both claiming me like I was some sort of prize?

“Maybe you should try hiding them better next time,” Luca sneered. “This one? I’m very much interested in her. And I’m not letting her go.”

"Oh my! You haven't changed. I can see you are still very much insecure." The other one had said. "Dear brother, you don't have to be like this, she was mine to begin with."

Brother? They were brothers? No fucking way. How could they be in a clash this way?

"Don't fucking call me that. You stopped being a part of our family ever since that day. I am not you brother and get the hell out of this place." Luca fired back almost immediately.

"Not until I take back what's mine. You sly thing—" They kept on exchanging words, but that wasn't my concern right now. 

I tore my gaze away, forcing myself to focus. This was my moment. If I moved quickly enough—

But before I could, a rough hand clamped over my mouth, yanking me backward.

Oh shit—

“You need to shut the fuck up and cooperate if you want to live,” a voice hissed in my ear.

The smell of gunpowder clung to him. His grip was iron, his gun pressed firmly to my head. My heart hammered so loud I was sure he could hear it.

I froze. Should I scream? What if he was on Luca’s side? What if I made the wrong choice?

“Boss, I found her,” the man called out, dragging me forward.

Another hand caught me, stronger, pulling me into his chest.

“Finally.” His voice was smooth, chilling.

My blindfold slipped, and my eyes widened.

The man standing in front of me looked so much like Luca—his sharp jawline, his piercing gaze—but blood splattered across his face made him even more terrifying.

Rafelo. I have seen his face all over the Internet, and I had no idea he was inot something like this. He was proven not guilty a few months ago and this?

His grip tightened around me possessively, and a wicked smile curved his lips.

Across the fountain, Luca stiffened. His entire body went rigid when he saw me in Rafelo’s arms. His face darkened, eyes burning with fury.

“Step back, Luca,” Rafelo’s voice carried across the compound like a threat carved in steel. He pressed the barrel of his gun harder against my temple. “One more step, and I’ll blow her pretty little head off.”

Luca’s men shifted, ready to fight. But Luca—he just glared, his jaw locked. 

I couldn’t breathe. 

The tension hung so heavy in the air, I felt like the next sound could shatter everything. I should have just stayed inside if I knew things were going to turn out this way.

"We both know that you can't do this. You came here to have her, and now you want to kill her?" Luca scoffed moving forward.

"Is this a dare?" I could feel Rafelo's other hand moving behind me slowly. He brought out a knife and then placed it right against my neck..

Oh shit!

"Let her go!" Luca moved a step forward, but Rafelo moved his hand immediately, the knife slicing my neck a little, as wince escaped from me.

I could feel the blood dripping off my neck, while I just stood there unable to move.

Luca eyes blinker several times on seeing the blood which flowed down my neck 

"Please, don't move an inch. I don't want to die yet." I cried out. My eyes boring right into Luca's.

"You heard her! I'd shoot her immediately you move again." Rafelo mentioned.

A smirk appeared right on Luca's face, ignoring the warning he stepped

forward again.

Oh shit—

The trigger went off! A loud shot escaped into the air.

I never wished to die this way.