18. MARCO RUSSO

I should have agreed with Lia when she said not to kiss her in her own house. But she was looking so damn gorgeous that she needed some corruption. And it's like I can't control myself around her. Her beauty is intoxicating, and I couldn't resist the temptation to lean in for a kiss. Despite knowing it was inappropriate, I couldn't help but give in to my desires in that moment.

But my little sister came and ruined everything. She walked in on us mid-kiss, her eyes wide with shock and disapproval. I knew then that I had made a grave mistake.

Trust Josephine to bleed my ears about keeping a secret , especially when it involves her best friend.

I left Lia to deal with her, and I'll make sure I make it up to her later on. I hope she deals well with it.

A punch lands on my jaw , snapping me out of my thoughts. I return Taehyung's strike with one of my own. We were boxing; it was a habit we developed as kids after seeing our father teach us some basic moves. It was a way for us to bond and release any pent-up emotions in a healthy way.

Well, like fathers , like sons.

"Distracted, Russo." Tae tsked as he dodged my next punch. "Don't mind me asking, what took you so long upstairs?"

"Nothing you need to know about." I returned.

"Well, something might have happened because you looked like a rat caught in a trap." Taehyung teased, his playful smile easing the tension between us. "Come on, spill the beans. Best friend privileges, remember?"

If he wasn't my best buddy, I might have strangled him right here for calling me a drowned rat. I've had enough of being called Mickey Mouse by Josie.

"Nothing. And don't dare to call me a drowned rat while you look like shit." I replied, looking at his bruised and battered face.

"Many girls die for me, so I guess my looks are just fine. Let me guess, initials DH?"

Why is everyone so obsessed with my private life?Can't a guy just be in love with peace?I guess not when you have Taehyung Young as your friend.

"Don't be in delusion."

"I don't think I'm in delusion, judging by the look you gave me when I tried to ask Lia for lunch."

That bastard was fucking enjoying it. I can guess by his grin that he was reveling in the awkwardness of the situation.

"Stay away from her, Tae Hyung. She's off-limits."

"And he admits." Taehyung punches me on my abdomen with a smirk.

"Fuck you, Young." I say, returning with one of my own punches to his shoulder.

My phone's screen lit up with a notification of a message. I take a time-out to read the message before continuing the fight. It was from Lia, a voice note saying. Unusual.

I thought it might be something lovey-dovey, so I excused myself to the restroom.

I opened the voicemail. The first few seconds were filled with panicky and urgent breathing. My muscles tensed as Lia's voice came through..

"Marco, it's Lia here. Roland, the publicist, kidnapped Martha. He has bad blood with me. He asked me to get here alone, but I know I need a backup. Location is sent. Back me up ASAP."

What the hell?Fuck.What if something happens to her?

Lia can right now be in serious danger, and I need to act fast to help her. I quickly gathered my things and headed out the door, determined to find Lia and make sure she was safe.

I quickly went to my car and started it. I'll deal with Taehyung later on. I was sitting in my car when I called Uncle Christian. He picked up on the first ring.

He said Josephine told him everything, and he's on his way.

What is going on?How does Josie know this?What is Lia hiding?

I'll sort that out later; now the only thing that matters is Lia's safety.

.

"Move the fuck up fast; my daughter is there." Uncle Christian whispered at me as we waited at the old door of the warehouse, waiting to make a move.

"Calm down, Harper. If we hurry, there is a chance of danger to Lia." Dad answered, placing a tentative hand on Uncle's shoulder to try and calm him down. "We need to be smart about this," he added, his voice steady and reassuring.

"She is my daughter."

"She is like my daughter too."

I pushed the warehouse's door and moved lightly. Uncle and Dad went ahead of me, searching for Lia. I followed closely behind, my heart pounding with worry for Lia's safety. The darkness inside almost matched the tension in the air as we navigated through the maze of crates and boxes. "Stay close," Dad whispered, his hand gripping my shoulder tightly. I nodded, determined to find Lia and bring her back to safety.

Please let her be alright.

We were navigating our way where there was a lightbulb, guessing this could be where Lia is.

Suddenly, we heard the howl of a man in pain and Lia's voice. The howl was like if someone was in agony.

Shit.

"Stay back, son, and shoot if others come." Dad said, Move ahead.

Uncle Christian and Dad rushed ahead and shot someone. I spotted two men and shot them with ease. There was no way we were going to waste our time tackling them. Shooting them was the best option. Three fucking minions also emerged from the shadows, but I quickly took them out with precise shots.

I searched around for more threats, but it seemed like we had cleared the immediate area. So, I went where my father and uncle were.

I went to the place and saw

No. This couldn't be.

No. Say it's wrong.

No. I am dreaming.

Fuck no, and no, and no.

Dahlia has a knife stuck in her abdomen.

Blood, red and sticky , was pooling around her.

Roland's dead body was lying next to her, a bullet hole in his forehead. My hands trembled as I kneeled and clutched her hand; the pulse was still there , but weak.

Panic rushed into my veins.

It took all my power to not lose myself there. I need to be strong, even though I'm the most scared I've ever been. Lia moved her head toward me, and a ghostly smile crept over her face. I noticed a contusion on her forehead. Only if I can bring Roland back from the dead and torture him until his screams become silent.

Uncle Christian murmured something and nodded at Dad, who withdrew the knife from Lia's body, and she let out a gurgled breath. The sight of blood pooling around her made my stomach turn, but I forced myself to stay composed.

I am scared. Of losing her. I knew I needed to be strong for Lia, even though my fear was overwhelming.

"I love you all." She was barely managing to speak. I grabbed her hand tightly. "Thank you for everything."

Don't say that, darling.

And she closed her eyes , her grip on my hand weakening.

And I felt the most deafening sense of loss wash over me as I realized she was slipping away. The sound of her shallow breathing filled the room, and I knew I had to be strong for her until the very end. ..

I can't process anything right now. Anger, sadness, and love—every emotion was coming as a wave into me and going out.All that was left after a wave was numbness.

The last 2 hours have been the worst hours of my entire life. We waited in the hospital for the doctor to bring news to Lia.

Everyone was here. Even Rhys Larsen and Bridget have fled from Eldorra to here.

The atmosphere was depressing. Aunt Stella couldn't stop crying. How could she? Her beloved daughter was hanging between death and life, and Mom was trying and failing to comfort her because she too couldn't stop crying (she was also like a mother to Lia). Aunt Stella was even unconscious when she heard the news. Bridget held her composure, and I guess that comes with being the badass queen she is. But I can see the lines of worry etched on her face, despite her strong facade. She was her goddaughter after all, and the situation was taking a toll on everyone in the room. Lia's condition was critical, and the uncertainty of her fate hung heavy in the air.

Uncle Christian, Alex Volkov, Rhys, and Dad sat in silence. It was like their eyes were fixated upon an invisible clock, each lost in their own thoughts and fears.

Josie and Sofia were at home with Taehyung. They argued to come but later agreed. It was better for them to stay at home. NIko and James were present in London at the time.

Josh Chen, was a lawyerating Lia; he was the best in his profession, and everyone trusted him.

Suddenly, the hall's door opened, and Josephine and Sofia swooshed inside , out of breath and with worried expressions on their faces. They had decided to come after all, unable to bear the tension of waiting at home any longer.

"Taehyung, what I said about keeping the girls at home." Dad stood up and said to Tae who came in behind Josephine and Sofia.

"Uncle-

'No, wait." Josephine raised her hand to stop him from speaking. "Dad, how can you expect me to stay at home when my best friend, my sister, is in danger? We had to come."

Dad clutched her arm, his expression softened but still serious, "Listen ,Josephine, the atmosphere here is sad already. We don't want to put girls in emotional distress."

"And are we out of that distress at home? " Josephine looked at him defiantly , her eyes filled with determination. "Lia is in there, and we can't just sit back and do nothing while she's in trouble. We need to help her, no matter what."

With that my sister charges towards where Mom and Aunt Stella were sniffling, whispering words of comfort. Taehyung was having a glaring competition with dad and Sofia was having a same discussion with her dad.

Dr. Chen came from the operation room, looking solemn as he approached us. "We need to prepare ourselves for any outcome," he said gravely. The tension in the waiting room grew thicker as we all braced ourselves for what was to come.

"Is there.." Jules, his wife, began.

"Lia is still in very critical condition. The knife struck deep, damaging her internal organs," Dr. Chen interrupted, his voice heavy with concern. "We operated her. And we still need to wait until this morning to see if we need durther surgeries or if she will stabilize on her own"

Aunt Stella, let out a cry again, Uncle Christian steadied her.

It was going to be a long night for everyone.