Deprived Love - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Third person's pov
In the cold dead of night, the air was thick with tension. Bella stands outside a massive, ominous building—a mafia stronghold, like the one she was born in, like the one she was kidnapped to, now she is outside the building where someone who is special to her is captured.
The building looms large, it's dark silhouette outlined against the dim, moonlit sky. It's a fortress of concrete and steel, with high, barbed-wire fences encircling it, and watchtowers stationed at each corner, manned by vigilant guards.
The entrance was guarded by two heavily armed men, their expressions cold and unyielding. Red and yellow warning lights flicker above the large, reinforced steel doors, casting an eerie glow across the scene. Nearby, a few sleek, black SUVs were parked, their engines quietly idling, ready for a quick getaway.
Bella, her face a mask of determination and worry, was dressed in dark, tactical clothing, blending into the shadows. Her eyes darted between the guards and the building, searching for a way in. Every muscle in her body was tense, every breath controlled.
It was silent around her except for the distant hum of the city and the occasional rustle of the wind stark contrast to the loud thoughts running in her mind. She was tired as it had been 30 hours after Chris's kidnapping. She barely got any sleep.
Bella took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for the dangerous mission ahead. Every second counts as she plots her next move, knowing that who's inside those walls.
She took a step forward and the guards opened the gate as they were already informed about Bella's arrival. She walked into the mansion taking a glance at every corner.
After going through a beautiful garden which wore a blanket of darkness as she has called in the midnight. She was finally standing at the doorstep.
She pushed the door open.
Bella steps inside, her heels clicking softly on the polished marble floor. The lobby was grand, with high ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers casting a golden glow. Dark wood panelling lines the walls, giving the space a rich, intimidating aura.
To her left, there's a large reception desk made of black marble, manned by a stern-looking guard in a perfectly tailored suit.
Her eyes darted around, taking in every detail, the sleek leather couches arranged in a waiting area, the expensive artwork that hints at old-world money, and the subtle presence of security cameras in the corners.
The air was thick with a mix of cigar smoke and expensive cologne. She knows she's being watched, but she keeps her expression calm and composed, masking the tension simmering beneath the surface. As she continues deeper into the building, the atmosphere grows heavier, the quiet power of the place pressing down on her.
Soon a woman appears in front of her, from god knows where because she was busy looking at the surroundings. It looked similar to the map that Liam made her memorise.
Her gaze fixed on the woman, she gestured to follow her to which she nodded. The woman wore the same coloured shirt and jeans everyone was wearing, maybe that was their uniform. She had a blank expression, she looked middle aged. Her hair was tied in a bun and her lips were painted by a purple coloured lipstick.
She narrowed her eyes to a certain door which would lead to the basement, where supposedly Chris was kept. Her thoughts were confirmed when the woman turned in the same direction. She opened the door and faint screams were audible.
Bella's footsteps stopped for a second, she recognised it, she knew it. It was obviously Chris's screams but she wished that she was not right. She wanted to prove herself wrong that Chris was not the one screaming, she tried to clear her brain but it just kept getting more and more anxious.
The woman turned, “Are you coming or not?” She asked lazily. Her voice was sharp, Bella gulped visibly and nodded.
The woman started walking, Bella turned back to glance the place where she entered basically a type of reception it was. She eyed right to left, everyone busy doing their work or talking.
She checked if the lady was noticing her or not but she was walking. Bella crouched on her knees, the lady turned towards her direction. She pretended to tie the laces of her heels and the lady boringly started talking to a man who was guarding the door of the basement.
Bella carefully took out a metal ball from the pouch that was attached to her black jacket. She gently rolled the metal ball behind her back. It rolled towards the centre of reception, and it burst out without a sound. She got up from her knees and walked towards the lady.
The lady rolled her eyes and murmured something to the man she was talking with and walked towards the basement. They kept walking down the stairs and the screams were now stopped. After a few minutes which felt like hours, the lady looked backwards to Bella and gestured her to open the door.
Bella gripped the door handle, she took deep breaths.
“Take deep breaths whenever you feel anxious, don't let your fear take over you, Bella." She remembered Liam's words.
She took a few deep breaths more and pushed open the door.
She was instantly met by darkness but she could see a silhouette, and she recognised it. The scent of sweat, blood and dust lingered through the air.
She remembered the last time Chris dragged her to his torture room as a punishment but now there is she in a place similar, that too willingly.
But if Chris would be alive and safe, she was willing to do anything. It would be worth it.
She took a few steps inside the torture room, she heard a sound… sound of clapping?
She made eye contact with Chris, before looking away to find the source of the clapping sound. She didn't see anyone, so her gaze again fell on Chris's hazel orbes. She gasped when she walked closer to Chris who was tied by a chair. She didn't care about the guy who was clapping and chuckling standing at the dark corner.
His upper body was naked, his upper body was marked by scars, from where fresh blood was oozing out. Bella immediately knew he was beaten by whips.
His pants were torn and it had blood stains too. His raven locks were messy, stuck on his forehead. Bella's breath hitched more when she saw Chris's eyes, his eyes held fear… Chris was scared of something. His chest moved up and down due to heavy breathing.
She walked more closer and was about to touch Chris when the clapping sounds started echoing against the cold torture room again.
She turned back, and saw a man standing.
Her eyes widened comically when the man's face came into view.
“N-Nick!” She uttered unconsciously.
“Yeah… still remember your friend? Bella I thought of you as a true friend but you ended up killing me.”
The man knew Bella was emotional, and this tactic was to weaken her, Chris shook his head.
But both men were confused in their own different ways when Bella smirked.
“You are not Nick.” She stared blankly, eying Chris. She smiled at him and nodded trying to give him reassurance but Chris was still scared.
“How'd you know?” The man asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Nick had a little bit of innocence in him but you look like a jerk!” She spat.
The man clenched his fist in a punch, and glared at Bella leaning closer but Bella didn't take a step back. She confidently stared right at the man's eyes.
“Our angel got devil horns, huh?”
Bella shrugged.
“Anyways, girl look at me. As I clearly said, one of you'll be able to leave from here. Still you appeared. You deserve a round of applause.” he chuckled and started clapping.
“Since you took such a big risk for the asshole here-” he pointed towards Chris who was glaring at him, “I'll give you a reward.” He walked towards Chris and pulled the ribbon that was tied onto his mouth so harshly that his body shook a little.
He glared at him but his gaze softened when he looked at Bella.
“Tadaa! You can talk with your lover boy for 5 minutes, I'll leave you two alone. But don't try to be nasty, angel. I'll be watching you both from there.” He pointed at the corner of the torture room.
He then walked to the corner where he pointed.
Bella kneeled in front of Chris and cupped his cheek.
“Bella, why did you come here?”
Chris asked, with a mixed feeling of worry and anger.
“What are you talking about, Chris? You expect me to pretend like nothing happened when you are at the brink of death?” Bella whispered.
“I know Bella, but now we both are at risk. We both will be killed. If you hadn't come here, I would be the only one who would've been killed.”
“I know. If you were in my shoes, would you not do the same?” Bella asked.
“I would've burnt this building down to save you, darling. But you are different, you are too innocent and fragile for this. I troubled you enough by appearing in your life. If something happens to you, I'll die. Even my soul would despair, which is much.. much… worse than being killed by him.” He said, his voice cracking in between.
He must be in so much pain, Bella thought.
But she wasn't aware that the thought of Bella being in danger hurts him much much more than physical pain.
“Don't worry, Chris. We'll get out of here safely. We've got a plan, I already threw the smoke bomb outside, everyone will be unconscious and Liam will take care.” She whispered gently. She turned back to look at the man, he was watching the couple with a smirk tapping his foot waiting for the 5 minutes to get over.
“I know, Liam must've helped you… but he.. he is much smarter, darling. You run away from here.” Chris begged desperately.
Bella looked over her shoulder once again taking a look at the man.
She started shouting, leaving Chris confused-
“Aghh Chris, you are so wounded! It pains me when I see you like this.” She wailed dramatically.
“Bella-”
“Chris, my love.” She wiped her tears.
Regardless of the situation, the word 'love' gave butterflies to Chris for a moment.
“Bella, what are you-” he was interrupted when Bella threw herself over Chris.
She hugged him gently but firmly trying not to hurt Chris's wounds.
Chris was about to say something when he felt soft hands against his wrists which were tied behind the chair. He tried to play with the act.
“Bella, don't worry it doesn't hurt that much.” He said.
The ropes were tied firmly, only one knot was left to untie when-
“Enough lovebirds, time's over.” The man said coming over to them.
Bella quickly pulled back.
“Jack, don't hurt her. You can do whatever you wish to do with me.” Chris warned and Bella stayed kneeling looking back and forth between the two men.
Jack chuckled and grabbed Bella's hair harshly causing her to gasp and Chris's eyes went red.
“You like that?” Jack asked Chris.
Jack pulled Bella towards him, making her stand and gripping her neck. Her foot hung and she was pinned on the wall.
She gagged because of the hard grip.
Chris's face held a mix of desperation and fury as he watched helplessly. His eyes were wide with terror, he screamed threateningly, pleading and everything he was able to release her. Every muscle in his body strains against the bonds, but they hold firm, leaving him powerless.
Jack smirked, enjoying the power he holds over both of them, enjoying seeing Chris helpless. Bella gasped for breath, her hands clawing at Jack's grip as she fought to stay conscious. The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with the weight of the moment.
Chris shouted.
“Watch! Watch your love dying right in front of you!” Jack laughed and gripped tighter, Bella felt her body weaken and her eyelids were about to close when she fell on the ground with a thud. She coughed violently and wiped the tears formed on the corner of her eyes.
She turned to look at what happened and she gaped at the scene.
Chris was hovering over Jack and punching him harshly. He spat curses at each punch. He was about to get up when Jack attacked a wound on Chris's torso. He yelped and Jack took the opportunity to hover him instead.
Bella took a deep breath and pulled out the paper knife tucked on the belt of her heels. She sprinted towards his direction and stabbed Jack's back. He gasped and took a step back, glaring at Bella. He fell back whimpering by the stab.
Chris still laid on the ground, she pulled him onto her lap.
“Chris… Chris wake up. Don't close your eyes please.” She uttered with a sob that escaped her.
“Bella… Bella run! Run away!” Chris uttered.
“Stand, Liam must've taken care of the situation outside. Let's go.” She turned to look at Jack who seemed to pass out, as he was lying lifelessly.
Chris leaned his hands on Bella's shoulder trying to get up. Chris was indeed heavy but Bella didn't care.
Chris stood up. The door was opened by a thud and the couple looked at each other with fear, but were instantly relieved when they saw Liam.
Liam ran towards Chris and took him over from Bella.
“Let's go, the car is outside.” Liam said, looking at Bella.
Some more men came from behind and one of them picked Jack.
Liam, Chris and Bella were about to leave the basement when they heard a thud sound behind them. Three of them turned but before they could grasp the scene, a bullet fired….