The desperate Lovers

Chapter 33: A Desperate Chase

Alexander's grip on the note tightened until his knuckles turned white. His heartbeat pounded like war drums, each beat filled with rage, fear, and desperation.

They had taken Isabella.

His Isabella.

And they wanted him to surrender.

A slow, deadly calm settled over him. He was not a man who begged. He was not a man who surrendered.

He was a man who destroyed anyone who dared to take what was his.

His phone buzzed. A blocked number.

He answered without hesitation.

"She's safe. For now," a voice said—a man's voice, smooth, calculating.

"Where is she?" Alexander's voice was ice.

The man chuckled. "You'll know soon enough. But first, we need to talk. Just you."

Alexander clenched his jaw. He didn't have time for games. "If you hurt her—"

"You're in no position to make threats," the man cut him off. "If you love her, you'll come alone."

The line went dead.

Alexander lowered the phone slowly, his mind already working through his next steps.

---

Isabella's Fight

Isabella woke to the sensation of cold metal against her wrists.

Her head was pounding, her vision blurred, but as she blinked, she realized she was in a dimly lit room. The air smelled damp, like concrete and oil.

She was tied to a chair.

Panic surged through her, but she forced herself to stay calm. Panicking wouldn't help her escape.

A door creaked open.

A man in a suit stepped in, his expression unreadable. He wasn't Victoria's type—he was older, sharper, exuding the kind of power that made her skin crawl.

"Awake already?" he said.

She narrowed her eyes. "Who the hell are you?"

He smiled. "Call me Mr. Langford."

Victoria's father.

Her stomach twisted.

He leaned against the table. "You're a smart woman, Isabella. I assume you know why you're here."

She met his gaze without flinching. "Because you're a coward who thinks he can control Alexander through me."

His smile didn't fade. "Control? No, my dear. I'm here to eliminate distractions."

Her heart stuttered, but she refused to show fear. "Alexander will come for me."

Langford chuckled. "That's exactly what I'm counting on."

---

The Reckoning

Alexander stood outside an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. He had followed the directions from the second call he received.

Every muscle in his body was coiled, ready for a fight.

The large steel doors creaked as he pushed them open.

Inside, dim lights flickered, casting long shadows.

At the far end of the room, Isabella sat tied to a chair, her face calm but defiant.

Beside her stood Richard Langford.

"Alexander," Langford greeted, as if this were some business negotiation. "How nice of you to join us."

Alexander's expression was unreadable. "Let her go."

Langford smirked. "Or what? You'll kill me?"

"I don't need to kill you," Alexander said smoothly. "But I can destroy everything you've built."

Langford chuckled. "A bold statement from a man standing in my trap."

A dozen armed men stepped out from the shadows, guns trained on Alexander.

Isabella's heart pounded. "Alexander, don't—"

He didn't move. His gaze stayed locked on Langford's.

"You think I came unprepared?" Alexander said, his voice dangerously low.

Suddenly, red laser sights appeared—dozens of them, aimed at Langford's men.

Langford's smirk faltered.

"I don't play fair," Alexander murmured.

The tension in the room was suffocating.

Langford's men hesitated, uncertain.

Alexander stepped forward. "Now, let. Her. Go."

Langford exhaled, then signaled to one of his men. The ropes around Isabella's wrists were cut. She stood immediately, rubbing at the raw skin.

Alexander extended his hand toward her.

She took it without hesitation.

"Leave the city, Langford," Alexander said. "Before I make you."

Langford met his gaze, then smiled. "This isn't over."

Alexander wrapped an arm protectively around Isabella as they walked out together.

And as they stepped into the night, he vowed—

No one would ever take her from him again.

To be continued…