Bella's POV
The weather looked cloudy, heavy with the promise of rain. I was still in the studio, brush in hand and paint smudged across my fingers and fading echoes of Mama. she loved painting too. She used to say every colour held a memory if you looked close enough.
Today felt especially heavy, its been two years since cancer took her, the dried streaks of colours on my skin where like fading memories, as I stared at them, heart aching. "I miss you Ma." I whispered silently.
I Refused to dwell long on that thought. It's been a long day at the art studio—long, but successful. Maya had sold three pieces of my paintings, one for more than I expected to an unknown client, not that it matters. But that alone called for a little celebration.
But I couldn't. Not when I knew I was being watched. My foster father had someone tailing me—again. He's been suspicious, likely wondering just how much I knew. After what I found in his hidden attic, he understood that I had found something but he didn't know how much.
And that was my advantage.
I just found out my whole life had been a lie, my real father is alive and I have been in contact with him with the help of Ethan tracking him. I knew where he was hiding.
But for now, I had to play my part.
To fool a fool, you had to act dumber than a fool.
I caught Maya's eyes and gave her a subtle glance before stepping out of the studio. The crips air, carried the scent of rain and city smoke, adjusting the strap of my bag, my priority was losing the car tailing me.
Still walking. Still following.
I kept my pace casual, scanning my surroundings until I spotted a lit-up street swarming with people. A perfect place to blend in. I stepped in weaving through the crowd. The moment I was sure I wasn't followed, I slipped into an alley, pulled my hoodie from my bag, and made my way to our hideout.
A quick text to Maya and Ethan: "Close."
The abandoned building looked forgotten from the outside, but inside, it was a different world. My world.
I pulled off my damp hoodie and headed straight for Ethan placing the small device in his hand.
His eyes widened, " Holy s**t. How did you get this?
I ignored the question "Can you crack it?"
Ethan, the tech genius, wasted no time. He plugged it into his system, fingers flying across the keyboard.
"C'mon, Ethan," I pressed "Tell me you have cracked it."
Maya stood beside him, arms crossed, her usual facial unimpressed expressions in place.
The screen flickered, asking for a password. I pulled out my phone and typed it in.
For a moment, nothing. Just a blank screen.
Then, red letters appeared.
Brateva
Beneath it, a Russian insignia.
Maya shifts, "I recognize that, That's a Russian mafia mark."
My stomach twisted. What the f**k?
Ethan exhaled sharply, as he turned." B, This isn't just any firewall," His voice. Grim. "There's a second lock."
"A second lock? What kind?"
Ethan's jaw tensed and sighed, "Biometric. fingerprint access."
A Russian—encrypted device. In my foster father's study. Protected by a biometric lock. Was he the traitor my real father warned me about?
My hatred for Vincent burned hotter. But I needed more proof.
"Ethan, can you bypass it?"
My voice was steady, but my fingers curled into a fist. "override their system. I want everything that ties the Russians to Vincent."
That bastard had it coming. After Ma died, he showed his true colors, I wondered how she stayed with such a cunning man. Who only cared about himself. Gambling away every fortune Ma made from painting.
I checked my phone. It was time to leave. The last thing I needed was more suspicious.
Maya caught my reaction. And she understood. Offering to drop me off. I nodded but asked her to take a detour. I needed white roses—mama's favorite. The cemetery was quiet. Too quiet.
I knelt by her grave, placing the flowers gently. It still felt like yesterday—the pain doesn't dull, I tried to hold it together, but a single tear dropped free. The ride home was silent. My thoughts stirred restlessly—memory shifting like puzzle piece, connecting.
Then Maya spoke, "What would you do when you find out it's him?"
I didn't hesitate. My voice was calm and cold. "If it's him ....he won't die quickly."A silent promise, I intend to keep.
We pulled up near my neighborhood. I stepped out, slipping back into my role—the innocent clueless girl. Crossing the Street, I could see my house. The porch light flickered. And then, a bad feeling slithered up my spine. Something felt odd. When I got to the porch, the front door was slightly open.
Vincent was reckless—drinking, gambling, lying. But careless?Never.
My fingers tightened on my bag straps, I pushed the door open. The scent of cigars, smoke, and alcohol slammed into me first. And then—Blood.
A deep voice rumbled from inside. Men. My pulse spiked as I stepped inside. Four of them. Stood clad in a Black suit. Broad shoulders with cold, dead-looking eyes. The kind of men that made your guts twist in a warning.
Then I saw him. Vincent slouched on his chair, looking like absolute shit. A beaten, bloody mess. But somehow, still clutching his whiskey glass. He didn't look surprised to see me or bother to acknowledge my presence.
Something was very wrong. I swallowed hard. "Papa, What's going on?"
One of the men— tall, with sharp features turned to face me his gaze raked over me like I was something to be appraised.
"Is she the one?" His voice was rough. "She's a beauty, she would be sold for more," A sick feeling curled in my stomach. "Papa?" I tried again.
He exhaled, finally looking at me. And then, he said the words that finally shattered the last piece of me.
"Yes, she is." taking another jug of whiskey. "Now please take the b***h and do whatever you want with her. Just leave me the f**k alone."
Something inside me cracked. I barely recognized my voice when I spoke. Low. Dangerous.
"what the f**k did you do?" Vincent smirked, setting his drink down, clapping. "Yes..yes, there she is the spitfire in you, you're your father's daughter. Well, I had no choice, I paid off my debt." He said, without remorse.
My fingers twitch towards the knife hidden inside my sleeve, "What debt." The tall man's lips curved into a cruel smile. "Mr. Rossi owed us a great amount of money, and he had nothing left to offer. His gaze darkened. "so he gave you as collateral."
My stomach dropped.
No.
No, no, no, this wasn't happening. This could ruin everything.
"I can pay," the words came out fast, "whatever he owes, I can cover it. Vincent let out a bitter laugh, And I knew, he had already taken it. All my savings.
I clenched my fist so tight my nails bit into my palms. "Tell me you didn't." Vincent's eyes couldnt meet mine.
I moved fast, my fingers flying over my phone, quickly texting Maya in code only she understood, without drawing attention while my other hands slowly reached my pendant activating the tracking signal.
But my voice stayed steady admits it. "I'll get more money, I tried. "Take me to a bank. I can—"
The man smirked. "you still think this is negotiable. With a flick of his wrist. Two men moved Before I could react, hands like iron clamped around my arms. My bag slipped from my shoulder, and panic explored my chest, "No, wait—." Vincent didn't move nor speak, then I knew it wasn't a joke anymore. "You can't do this," I thrashed, fought, and twisted but they were too strong and big.
The night air hit me like a slap as they dragged me outside. A black van waiting at the curb. With No plates and no markings. I still had the knife tucked in my sleeve. As one of them let go, immediately, I struck the other. The blade sliced across his face. He roared, letting go.
Then, I ran. But I didn't make it far. Something slammed into me. Dizziness. Nausea. I was shot with a tranquilizer, the ground tilted, and my knees buckled as strong hands grabbed me again, lifting me. I kicked, twisted, and fought, with the little strength I had but It didn't matter.
The van doors swung open, I was shoved inside, still struggling, still clawing for control. Then—sharp pain. With a needle piercing my neck, My vision blurred. My limbs went limp.
The last thing I heard was the van door slamming shut. Sealing my fate.
Darkness swallowed me whole.
And then, silence...