Chapter 37

Isabella's POV

The cold air of the tunnels clung to Isabella's skin, making her shiver as she pressed forward. The weak light from Enzo's flashlight bounced off the damp walls, casting eerie shadows that seemed to dance in her periphery. But it wasn't the shadows that terrified her-it was the sound of footsteps echoing behind them.

"They're getting closer," Isabella whispered, her voice trembling.

"Stay calm," Enzo said firmly, but even he couldn't hide the tension in his voice.

"Calm?" Nico snapped from behind them. "We're sitting ducks down here! If we don't pick up the pace, we're dead!"

The footsteps grew louder, the steady rhythm of boots against stone quickening as if their pursuers had picked up their trail. Isabella's breath came in shallow gasps, her chest tightening with each step.

"Stop," Enzo said suddenly, holding up a hand.

The group halted as they came to a fork in the tunnel. One path veered sharply to the left, the other sloped downward into darkness so absolute it seemed to swallow the faint light entirely.

"We can't stay here," Nico said. "We need to split up. It'll confuse them."

"No," Isabella said, shaking her head. "We need to stay together. If we split up, we'll be weaker-easier to pick off."

"And if we stay together, we're easier to track," Nico countered. He turned to Enzo. "We don't have time to debate. You want to keep her safe? Then make the call."

Enzo hesitated, his jaw tightening. "Isabella's right. We're stronger together."

"Are you serious?" Nico snapped, his frustration boiling over. "This isn't about strength-it's about survival!"

"Enough!" Isabella's voice cut through their argument, sharp and unyielding. "We're wasting time. If we're going to split up, let's do it now before it's too late."

Enzo's eyes locked on hers, and for a moment, she thought he might change his mind. But then he nodded. "Fine. Nico, take the left tunnel. Isabella and I will go down the slope."

Nico muttered something under his breath but didn't argue. He glanced at Isabella, his gaze softening briefly. "Stay safe."

"You too," she said, her voice barely audible.

As Nico disappeared into the left tunnel, Isabella followed Enzo down the slope. The air grew colder, the darkness thicker, until it felt like they were walking through a void.

"We'll be fine," Enzo said, his voice low but steady. "Just stay close."

Before Isabella could respond, a figure emerged from the shadows ahead, blocking their path. Her heart stopped as the light from the flashlight caught the glint of a knife in the stranger's hand.

(Enzo's POV)

The man stepped into the light, and Enzo's stomach dropped. He knew that face-the sharp cheekbones, the cold blue eyes, the scar that ran from his jaw to his neck. Dante.

"Enzo," Dante said, his lips curling into a smirk. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"What the hell are you doing here?" Enzo demanded, his voice tight.

Dante chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "You know why I'm here. The Morettis don't like loose ends, and you, my friend, are the loosest end of all."

Isabella glanced between them, confusion and fear etched across her face. "Who is this?"

"An old acquaintance," Enzo said, keeping his eyes on Dante.

"That's one way to put it," Dante said. "But let's not waste time with introductions. I've got a proposition for you, Enzo."

"I'm not interested," Enzo said sharply.

"You haven't even heard it yet," Dante said, his tone almost playful. "Come back to the Morettis. Help us clean up this mess, and I'll make sure your little friends here get to live."

"Not a chance," Enzo said.

Dante's smirk widened. "I thought you might say that. But before you make up your mind, you should know something. Your girlfriend here-Isabella, isn't it? She doesn't know everything about you, does she?"

Enzo's blood ran cold. "Shut up, Dante."

"Oh, come on," Dante said, his voice dripping with faux innocence. "You mean she doesn't know about the things you've done? The deals you've made? The people you've betrayed?"

"Stop it," Isabella said, her voice trembling.

"Or what?" Dante taunted. "Face it, sweetheart. The man you're trusting with your life is just as bad as the people chasing you."

Enzo's hands balled into fists. He wanted nothing more than to shut Dante up, but he couldn't risk making a move-not with Isabella so close.

"Enough," Enzo said, his voice cold. "This ends now."

Dante's smirk vanished, replaced by a steely glare. "Have it your way."

He raised his hand, signaling to the shadows behind him. A moment later, figures emerged-Moretti enforcers, their weapons drawn.

"Run!" Enzo shouted, grabbing Isabella's hand.

They sprinted down the tunnel, the sound of gunfire and shouts echoing behind them.

(Isabella's POV)

Isabella's lungs burned as she ran, her legs threatening to give out with every step. Enzo's grip on her hand was the only thing keeping her moving.

"This way," he said, pulling her toward a narrow passageway that branched off the main tunnel.

The passage led to a small, hidden room carved into the stone. Enzo slammed the door shut behind them and locked it, his chest heaving as he leaned against the wall.

"What is this place?" Isabella asked, looking around.

The room was filled with dusty equipment-monitors, cameras, and piles of old files. Most of it looked like it hadn't been touched in years, but the faint hum of a generator suggested some of it was still functional.

"Syndicate surveillance," Enzo said.

Isabella's stomach turned. "You mean this is yours?"

"Not mine," Enzo said quickly. "But I used to work with the people who built this."

She stared at him, a mix of anger and disbelief. "You've been hiding this from us? From me?"

"It's not like that," he said, his voice pleading. "I left all of this behind. I swear."

Before she could respond, something caught her eye. One of the monitors flickered to life, displaying grainy footage.

"What is that?" she asked, stepping closer.

Enzo followed her gaze, his face going pale as he recognized the image. It was a live feed of Nico, surrounded by Moretti enforcers.

"They've got him," Isabella said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Enzo's jaw tightened. "We're running out of time."