Chapter Twelve

The room fell into a suffocating silence as every eye turned toward Antonio, standing in the doorway like a specter returned from the dead. His shirt was torn, blood staining the fabric, his face bruised, but his gaze—steady, cold, and sharp—locked onto Sarah's with an intensity that made her heart stop. The defiance etched into his features made it clear: Antonio had survived something unimaginable to get here, and now he was a man with nothing left to lose.

Adrian's men hesitated for a fraction of a second, unsure whether to charge forward or wait for their boss's command. That moment of hesitation was all Antonio needed.

"Adrian!" Antonio's voice cut through the silence like the crack of a whip, his breath ragged but filled with fury. "It ends tonight."

The air in the room shifted, a tension so thick Sarah could almost feel it pressing against her skin. Adrian, who had been conversing with one of his lieutenants near the bar, slowly turned. His face remained impassive, a stark contrast to the violent energy vibrating in the room. He regarded Antonio for a long moment, his cold eyes flickering with a dark amusement, as though the man standing before him was nothing more than an inconvenience.

"I'll admit," Adrian said, his voice calm, almost patronizing, "I didn't expect to see you so soon. Or at all." He took a step forward, the soft click of his polished shoes on the marble floor echoing in the heavy silence. "But here you are. And you've brought the mess with you." His gaze dropped to the blood staining Antonio's clothing.

Antonio didn't flinch. He stood his ground, his chest heaving as he fought to keep his composure, but the fire in his eyes never dimmed. "You thought you could break me," he spat, his voice thick with emotion. "You thought you could use me—use all of us—and walk away without consequence."

A low murmur rippled through the room, the guests shifting uneasily. This was no ordinary confrontation—it was a collision of worlds, one that had been brewing beneath the surface for far too long. Sarah could feel it in her bones. And she was caught in the middle, bound by a promise that now felt like a noose around her neck.

Adrian's expression darkened, and the glimmer of amusement disappeared entirely. He took another step toward Antonio, his voice low and dangerous. "Careful, Antonio. You've already tested my patience once. Don't make the mistake of thinking you can challenge me again."

The room seemed to shrink, the air turning oppressive as Adrian's words settled like a storm cloud. Sarah's pulse quickened, her mind racing with questions. How had Antonio escaped? What was his plan? Did he have allies—or was this a desperate, reckless act of defiance?

Antonio's gaze flicked toward her for the briefest moment, something unreadable flashing in his eyes, before he turned back to Adrian. "I'm not afraid of you anymore," he said, his voice quieter now, but no less resolute. "And neither should she be."

Adrian's eyes narrowed at the mention of Sarah, his gaze sliding toward her with a cold, calculating look. "Oh, Sarah," he murmured, his voice a dangerous whisper, "have you been conspiring behind my back?"

Sarah's breath hitched in her throat. She had barely spoken to Antonio since his capture—she hadn't even known if he was alive. But Adrian's accusation, laced with menace, was a trap, and she knew it.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she managed, her voice shaking despite her best efforts. "I haven't seen him since—"

"You don't have to lie for her," Antonio interrupted, his eyes still fixed on Adrian. "This isn't her fight. It never was."

Adrian's lips curled into a predatory smile, and he took one final step forward, now only a few feet from Antonio. "Oh, Antonio," he purred, his voice filled with mock sympathy, "you still think you can save her? Save anyone?" His gaze turned steely, and the smile disappeared. "You've already lost."

And just like that, the room exploded into chaos.

Antonio lunged forward, his fist swinging toward Adrian with a speed that caught everyone off guard. Adrian's men rushed in, but Antonio was faster, fueled by adrenaline and desperation. His punch connected with Adrian's jaw, sending him staggering back, but the victory was short-lived.

Three of Adrian's men descended on Antonio, dragging him to the ground as Adrian regained his balance, wiping a smear of blood from his lip. His expression was one of cold fury now, all traces of amusement gone.

"You should have stayed gone," Adrian hissed, nodding to his men. "Take him outside. Finish it."

"No!" Sarah's voice rang out before she could stop herself. She stepped forward, her heart pounding wildly. "Adrian, don't. Please."

Adrian's gaze snapped to hers, and for a moment, something unreadable passed between them. But his voice, when he spoke, was as cold as ice. "You made your choice, Sarah. Now live with it."

Before she could respond, Antonio was dragged through the doors, the sound of his struggle fading into the night.

Sarah stood frozen, her mind spinning. Adrian turned to face her once more, his eyes dark and unforgiving. "Remember," he said softly, "this is what happens when you cross me."