The Truth Hurts: Part Two: The Twisted Betrayal Duet

Chapter 24

“Keep moving!” I yell as we push through the tunnel.

The twins are beside me, our footsteps echoing through the dimly lit corridor. Only the emergency lights lining the walls guide our way as the stench of stale water and damp rock penetrates our senses. Add in the fact that emergency lighting lines the walls of the roughly hewn tunnel, and it isn’t hard to deduce that this place isn’t quite as untouched as we may have believed.

We’ve been down here for fifteen minutes. As soon as Enzo said Ronaldo had made his appearance, we didn’t waste any time. It was surprisingly easy getting down to the basement. Too easy. I’ve kept that doubt tucked away in the back of my mind since we stepped underground, though. I’m leading this group and I don’t want them to back out. I need them to complete this mission.

“We’re almost there,” I tell Raf.

Somewhere above ground, he’s monitoring our mission. He had the three of us wear trackers just in case things go awry. He also has eyes on Sera and Levi, which means I can focus on what we set out to do.

I tap my earpiece twice when I don’t hear Raf’s response; he’s usually quick to reply. But as the sound of static grows louder and louder, the nerves start to kick in. “Raf?”

Suddenly, I’m hit with the piercing sound of screeching in my ear, the sound slicing through my brain. We all slam to a stop, the three of us ripping our earpieces out.

“What the fuck was that?” Matteo calls out, his voice echoing down the tunnel.

“We must be too deep,” his brother replies, unfazed as he pockets the small device.

“No.” I shake my head, pulling out my phone. There’s no signal on my cell either, which means something is blocking us. “Raf said we’d be fine.”

“Then something’s not right,” Marco speculates

Cazzo.If something is blocking our communications, then we’re on our own down here, and we need to stay alert.

“Let’s keep moving,” I order the team.

“But Sera said if we lost contact—”

“Keep moving,” I repeat with more authority, glaring at Matteo. I might hold the same rank as them, but it’s my responsibility to ensure we complete this job. Double checking my weapon and flashlight, I nod at the twins. “Raf has our positions. We keep going.”

“Luca,” Marco grumbles.

“We don’t have time to debate this!”

I have to trust that Raf will come through for us. Until we need him, we need to focus on getting Levi’s sister. The team can argue with me all they want, but I’m leading this group under Sera’s orders, so they have no choice but to follow me. And I’m not going to let Levi down. I made him a promise—more to myself—and I’m going to make sure I get Luisa back to him.

Moving as one, we navigate the hollow structure together. Another five minutes of jogging passes before the iron door we’ve been looking for finally comes into view. Just like the rest of the place, the door looks like it’s seen better days. Rust clings to the handle and hinges, dampness blanketing it like sweat.

I wipe my own brow as I glance over at Marco.

“Ready?” I whisper.

He nods confidently, cocking his rifle. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

There’s an ominous feeling in the air, all of us collectively holding our breath as Matteo pushes through the rusted door. The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as we step into the basement level of the compound, and I immediately take a moment to survey my new surroundings. This room is exactly like what we’ve been walking through. There’s a distinct sound of dripping water coming from the darkened corners of the room we’re in, an eerie sense of uncertainty creeping beneath my skin.

Marco takes out his phone to pull up the blueprints to the compound. His eyes scan back and forth over the screen, like he’s memorizing them one more time. When he’s done, he pockets his phone again, nodding his head towards the concrete steps ahead. “Follow me.”

Silence accompanies us as we ascend to the first floor. Even our steps are quiet, despite there being twenty of us. Marco leads the team with me and Matteo following close behind, and I still can’t seem to shake the feeling that something doesn’t feel right.

I’ve always trusted my gut because it’s never steered me wrong. Very few times have I ignored it, and when I have, well… let’s just say I’ve immediately regretted it. The night of Greco’s wedding, I felt something was off. I couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was, so I just chalked it up to the Verdi’s presence. That moment still slithers through my mind, haunting me when I least expect it, because that night could have turned out so differently.

Shuddering, I refocus my thoughts. Marco stops at the top of the steps, peering around the corner with his rifle poised to fire. He shifts left and right, checking every angle before he announces it’s clear.

We advance in tandem, the team splitting off. Marco points two fingers in one direction, signaling for his team to follow Matteo. “Fontana, you and I will take our team that way.” He points in the opposite direction. “Luisa is on the next floor.”

My blood starts pumping heavily at the mention of her name. We’re another step closer to getting her back, and all my nerves and excitement start to blend together in a heady mix of adrenaline and anticipation.

With one last cursory glance at Matteo, Marco and I advance towards where we suspect Luisa is being held. The corridors are dark and suspiciously silent. Marco slows his footsteps, turning towards me. “There’s nobody here,” he frowns.

“Yeah,” I mutter my own agreement of his conclusion, stepping around a corner sharply. My gun is pointed, but there’s nothing for the end of my barrel to meet. I exhale, letting my shoulders droop for just a moment. “We better take advantage of that before things change.”

Sweat beads down my temple as we push forward, twisting and turning down a few more of the winding corridors until we reach a staircase. Only the gentle glow of the sconces on the walls guide us, adding to the already creepy vibe that I’m getting from his place. The entire layout screams evil lair. But the strange little details like the pristine chandelier hanging from the middle of the ceiling and the dust free rugs that decorate the marble floors, tell me that this place isn’t just somewhere to hold Luisa; it’s actually liveable.

Is this where the Verdis have been hiding?

Sprinting up the staircase, I follow Marco down another long corridor. Dark wooden doors line each side, ornate paintings pinned to the walls. But that’s not what captures my attention—it’s that every door is wide open, like someone left in a hurry.

My senses are on high alert as we reach the final door, finding it closed. Marco jiggles the handle, but it doesn’t budge.

“I don’t get it,” I whisper to Marco as he crouches in front of the door.

He pulls out a small pouch, drawing out two tools and placing them in the lock. “Why is this door locked and the others aren’t?”

“And where the hell are the guards? You said there would be a change over.”

“I guess luck is on our side,” he comments, shifting the tools in the lock until we both hear the audible click.

“I don’t believe in luck.”

“Yeah,” his responding chuckle bounces lightly. “Me neither.”

I nod, relaxing a little with the knowledge that I’m not the only one on edge. And my damn gut is screaming at me now. Pulling out my second handgun, I prepare myself for whatever might face us on the other side of the door.

With bated breath, I nod at Marco. The doorknob twists slowly, the gentle creak of wood and unoiled hinges breaks the silence, and the breath I was holding slowly releases as I lock eyes with Luisa.

Her eyes go wide as she sits up on her bed. “Hello?”

“Luisa?” I say softly, relief lacing each breath as I step into the room. “I’m here to get you out.”

“Out?” She frowns, confusedly pushing up off the bed. The shadows conceal her, but I can just make out her sullen features, the way her eyes are sunken and the sorrow that rounds them. She’s wearing leggings and a baggy t-shirt that’s seen better days. Her hair is a mess, like it hasn’t been brushed in days, but I’m surprised that the room she’s in is actually pristine.

“Levi sent me.” I reach out for her, but she flinches away. So I move slower, taking each step as carefully as I can, approaching Levi’s sister like she’s a frightened animal. “It’s okay. You’re…”

The glow of the moon shines through the small window of her room, illuminating the space within. Silvery rays highlight her lithe figure, but as my eyes survey her, the rest of my words get stuck in my throat.

“You’re pregnant.” It’s not a question. It’s a statement; one I don’t even have the capacity to comprehend right now. All I know is that we need to get her out, and taking the tunnel might not be an option anymore. My instincts are telling me that there’s no way we can get back to the tunnel unseen, and it’s time I listen to them.

Luisa rests her arms over her protruding belly protectively.

“It’s okay,” I soothe, reaching forward again.

“You can’t be here!” she whimpers. “You have to leave.” She steps towards me, pushing on my chest to try to force me from the room, but she’s too weak to put sufficient strength behind the gesture.

Capturing her hand, I offer her a gentle smile. “Not without you. I promised your brother.”

“Levi?”

I nod, letting the smile at the mere mention of his name lift my lips. Our eyes lock for what feels like minutes. Even though she’s clearly malnourished, I see the familiarity in her features. My heart pinches in my chest, the reminder of my promise seeping into the forefront of my mind.

“You don’t understand, if you’re here, then they know.” She glances over my shoulder at Marco. The fear in her eyes is so real that it gives me pause. I don’t even want to think about what she might have gone through to reach this point; the thought is too harrowing to grasp.

“Luca, we’ve gotta go.”

I spin around to find Marco tapping his earpiece. I pull my own out of my pocket, tucking it inside my ear to hear the static has gone and Raf is repeating my name over and over.

“Fontana?”

“Here,” I answer.

The loud exhale of relief from Raf fills my ear. I can’t deny that I feel the slightest bit of comfort that he’s been trying to reach us. Running this mission without him isn’t exactly terrifying, but I won’t ignore the fact that we rely on him. It wasn’t until our communication was cut off that I even realized how much.

“Please, leave. I can’t go with you,” Luisa begs.

“I’m sorry, Luisa. I can’t leave you here. It’s not safe.”

“It’s not safe out there!” Her voice wobbles as she peers up at me.

My jaw flickers with indecision. Usually, I’d just throw her over my shoulder and be done with all this shit. But she’s pregnant—very pregnant—and Levi would probably put a bullet in me if I left her behind in this condition.

Marco steps towards us, his voice gentle as scoops an arm around Luisa’s shoulders and guides her to his chest. “You’re safer with us than here.”

Luisa melts against him. Those simple words are filled with so much conviction that she seemingly doesn’t need to be told again. She gives a small nod, sniffing as she reaches for her shoes.

With Levi’s sister tucked under Marco’s arm, we step out into the corridor, the eerie silence following us like a shadow. I still can’t shake that damn feeling, either. Every time I glance over my shoulder, Marco gives me the same worried look. This all feels too easy, but I don’t have time to second guess myself—not with Levi’s sister here.

Peering around the corner, I spot the stairs ahead of us. “Clear,” I tell them as I edge around the wall and start to descend the steps.

“Luca,” Raf’s voice comes through my earpiece. “You need to get out of there!”

“What?” I question, freezing on the steps. I halt Marco and Luisa, protecting them with my body as heavy footfall surrounds us. I push them back up the stairs, my pulse pounding in my ears as I try to get them to safety.

But it’s too late.We reach the top of the stairs, only to be met with boots and rifles. A group of at least ten men have their guns raised at our heads, and my blood runs cold.