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"Your father, during site inspection for digging water wells, discovered gold on his land. Yes, gold. Your multi-billion empire could be worth dozens of billions. Juan knew about this. One of the mining company employees let it slip up as casual gossip, but really wanted to make a quick buck and took advantage of that piece of information."
My mind still cannot comprehend what she’s telling me. "Clara, how did you discover this?"
"Folks who owe Illuminati favors," she replies. "Isabella, Juan had your father killed out of greed."
Her words feel like a knife in my chest. Didn't Juan know how much Papa loved him? How could he have my father killed! The thought that my own cousin could deceive my father, his own uncle, so deeply floods me with anger and disbelief.
My body starts shaking from uncontrollable rage and shock. I struggle to hold back tears and my voice cracks as I ask, "and Conti?"
Clara’s voice has softened but she still speaks with urgency, "Juan wanted the gold for himself. He made a deal with Don Conti to kill you once the papers for the gold were in order. You see, Juan wanted a double murder that day he had Diego killed. But when everyone at the funeral pledged loyalty to you, Juan realized he wouldn’t be able to get rid of you so easily without being discovered. Juan also knew that if you died, he'd get the land by power of the will since he's next of kin. And so, he made a deal with the devil. Conti wanted in for the gold, but first wanted the gold verified. On this trip to Mexico, he saw that the gold exists. He then got rid of the three men who discovered the gold for your father and now, having signed the agreement with Juan, he's returned to New York to kill you, Isabella. You need to get out of there, right now!"
I stand, with shaking hands I randomly pick a few items I can't live without. A photo of Papa. His sweatshirt. Confusion, fear and cold fury course through my veins. "Juan... my own cousin, he did this?" I choke on the words, unable to comprehend the extent of his treachery.
"Yes, Isabella. I'm so sorry." Her voice is thick with emotion, but it does nothing to quell the anger building within me.
"Clara," I say, my tone hardening as I swallow down tears. "I want him dead. I want Juan to pay for what he's done. Can you help me?"
"Isabella, are you sure about this? You know there's no going back." The concern in Clara's voice only serves to fuel my determination.
"I have never been more certain of anything in my life. He killed my father and planned to kill me. He doesn't deserve to live." My words are ice-cold, like the resolve that has taken hold of my heart.
"Alright, Isabella. I'll contact my hacker girls. Leave it to us. We'll make sure he pays for his betrayal."
"Thank you, Clara."
"Isabella," she replies, her tone filled with determination, "Now listen to me very carefully. I investigated and discovered you were right. The Carlisis were good friends with your father. My father told me so himself. We planned your escape. The Carlisis are sending help. Just stay put and be ready to move when they arrive."
"Thank you." My mouth is dry, my hands clammy, but somehow I manage to swallow my fear and focus on the task at hand. "I'm still at Stefano's cottage."
"We know."
I look out the window, scanning the compound for any sign of my rescuers. Time seems to crawl, each second a painful reminder of how vulnerable I am. Then, as if appearing out of thin air, I see several men dressed in black approach the guards stationed outside my cottage.
"Clara, they're here," I whisper, my heart racing.
"Good," she replies. "Wait for their signal, then make your move."
My fingers grip the edges of the window sill, knuckles white as I watch the scene unfold before me. The men sent by the Carlisis move with lethal precision, eliminating the guards in mere moments. I can't help but feel a pang of guilt for their lives lost, but I know this is my only chance.
As the last guard falls lifeless to the ground, one of the men in black looks up at my window and gestures for me to come down. This is it – my opportunity to break free from this nightmare.
"Clara, they've taken care of the guards. I'm going."
"Be safe, Isabella. We'll be waiting for you on the other side."
"Thank you, Clara. For everything."
I end the call and quickly sling the bag over my shoulder. My legs feel like jelly as I descend the stairs, but I force myself to keep moving. The door creaks open, revealing the moonlit path to freedom.
"Miss Torres," one of the men in black whispers, "we need to move quickly. There isn't much time."
"Right." My voice is barely audible, trying to make my feet move as fast as they can without making a sound.
As we race through the darkness, I can't help but think about Stefano, about how much I've lost and how much more I’m about to lose.
I never even left him a note.
When will I see him again?
