Isabella~
"James, are you sure we'll find Jonathan here?" I questioned him in a doubt-filled tone, my unease growing with every passing second.
"Yes, Bella. I got this address from my informant." He motioned for me to exit the taxi.
The chilly Italian air stung my skin as I stepped onto the deserted street. My life had completely transformed in just two days. Two days ago, my family and I were in the United States, and now I found myself in this unknown, freezing city, chasing someone I'd never even met.
When James told me that Jonathan had moved to Italy after Laila's passing, I knew I had no choice but to come. Jordan Lucas had already tricked Uncle Jorawar and dragged us into this chaos, and now Jonathan was my only lead.
I wanted to share the truth about this trip with Xavier, but his erratic behavior and mistrust made it impossible. If I'd told him I was coming to find Jonathan, he would've stopped me no matter what.
Despite the guilt of keeping secrets, I had to take this chance to bring justice for Laila. Even if James' involvement worsened the tension between Xavier and me, I couldn't back down.
"You should wait here, Bella. I'll go inside and find him," James insisted, his protective tone firm.
"James, let me accompany you. It's too cold to stand out here alone." I pulled my coat tighter, searching for any excuse to follow him.
"Bella, it's not safe for you to enter the house. Jonathan is a dangerous man." His sharp gaze warned me against arguing further.
James had asked me to stay at the hotel, but I'd been too eager to confront Jonathan. Against his protests, I urged him to take me to the house as quickly as possible. The anticipation of meeting Jonathan made my heart pound.
"Look at this place," I said, glancing at the eerily quiet house. "It seems deserted. He won't even know we're here." Before James could object further, I marched up to the door and rang the bell.
"What are you doing, Bella? If you keep ringing the doorbell, everyone will wake up," James hissed, his tone exasperated.
"There aren't any neighbors in this area, so stop worrying," I snapped. Frustration bubbled inside me as Jonathan didn't respond. After ringing the bell multiple times without success, I kicked the door in anger. To my surprise, it flew open with a loud creak.
"James, I think Jonathan forgot to lock the door." Ignoring his disapproving glare, I stepped inside.
The house was pitch-black, the heavy silence pressing against me. I activated the torch on my phone, its beam cutting through the darkness as I tried to make sense of my surroundings.
"Bella, stop. This is dangerous," James said behind me, his voice tense.
But before he could pull me back, I flicked the light switch on.
The explosion was deafening.
A shockwave tore through the room, and I was thrown backward as debris rained down from above. The roof partially collapsed, pinning my leg beneath a heavy stone. Pain shot through me like fire.
"Bella!" James shouted, rushing toward me. His face was pale as he pushed the debris off my leg and helped me out of the crumbling house.
Blood soaked my jeans, and I could barely stand. My leg throbbed unbearably, each movement sending fresh waves of agony through me.
"Bella, I told you this place wasn't safe," James scolded, his concern evident. "That was a trap. Someone must have tipped Jonathan off about our visit."
I leaned on him as he carried me out of the house. The cold air bit into my skin, but the pain in my leg was far worse.
"James, I'm sorry. I didn't think..." My voice faltered as tears blurred my vision.
"Don't apologize. Let's get you to the hospital."
At the hospital, the doctor confirmed that my leg was fractured. The freezing weather in Italy and my inability to move made it impossible to return to the hotel, so James took me to his house. He had lived here before moving to the United States, and now it served as a refuge while I recovered.
Despite James' care, all I could think about was Xavier. My physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in my heart. I need to talk to him. I can't let this distance grow any further.
I picked up my phone and dialed his number. The moment I heard his voice, tears spilled from my eyes.
"Where are you, Bella?" Xavier asked his tone a mixture of worry and anger.
"I missed you, Xavier," I whispered, my voice trembling.
"Why are you crying? What did that jerk James do to you?" His voice rose, laced with fury.
"Don't blame me. I didn't do anything to her." James walked into the room with a bowl of soup, pausing as he overheard our conversation on speaker.
"What?" Xavier's voice boomed through the phone. "Tell me which hospital you're in, Bella. I'm heading there right now."
His words stunned me.
"How could you come here? Are you trying to make fun of me? Your concern feels like salt on my wounds."
"Where did you take her, James? Give me your address, and I'll be there immediately."
"Don't worry, Xavier. She's fine now, and I'll be returning her to the United States soon," James said, his voice calm but firm.
"I don't want to hear anything else. Just give me the address." Xavier's tone left no room for argument.
With a heavy sigh, James gave him the address.
Half an hour later, the doorbell rang. James and I exchanged startled glances.
"Who could it be at this hour of the night?" I asked, fear creeping into my voice. "Jonathan might have come here to attack us."
The doorbell buzzed again, more insistent this time.
"I'll break this door if you don't open it, James."
I froze. "Xavier?"
James opened the door, and there he stood, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. Relief flooded his face as he approached me.
"Are you okay, Bella?" His voice softened as he examined my plastered leg.
"I missed you, Xavier." I couldn't hold back any longer. I threw my arms around him, tears streaming down my face as I felt the warmth of his embrace.