Page 62 of (UN)Bounded

“Fuck,” I shout, grabbing my whiskey glass and smashing it against the window.

“We’ll find her, boss. We’re already on it.”

“Find us a way to Geneva. I can’t sit here a minute longer.”

Mario nods, and I head to my room to get my suitcase.

This shit can’t be happening.

“Boss, I just got a text from the pilot. We’ve been approved for takeoff,” Mario says, a big look of relief spreading across his face.

“Let’s go,” I say. I snatch up my suitcase and leave the hotel as fast as possible. I get into the back of the car while Mario sits in the front with the driver. I take out my phone and start typing a text. I delete it, type again, and delete it several times, not sure if it’s wise, but I’m losing my mind.

Gabo: Hey, is anyone available?

A few minutes go by before my brother Vicente replies.

Vicente: Hey, bro. What’s up?

Gabo: I’m still in Sweden. Just got the word we can lift off after a terrible storm. But Bella is in Geneva. I was supposed to be there to attend a gala with her.

Vicente: Aww, she’s mad at you because you chose work over her?

Gabo: Fuck, I don’t know. But neither she nor her security team can be reached.

Gio: What? What do you mean they can’t be reached?

Gabo: Yeah, we can’t find them.

Texting this to my brother and my closest friends seems surreal.

Vicente: I’m on my way.

Gio: Me too.

Luca: Fuck you, Gabo. I told you to take care of her. I can’t leave Karina alone; she’s due any day now.

Luca: You all better keep me posted.

Chapter 23

Isabella Bianchi

My head is spinning, and I’m nauseous. For a moment after I wake up, I can’t feel my legs. Panic sets in, but no sound escapes me.

Where am I?

This doesn’t feel like my comfy bed at the hotel; the mattress is cold and stiff against my back. The last thing I remember was heading back to my room from the hotel lobby after picking up something Gabo had sent me. For some reason, the hotel staff wasn’t allowed to let the delivery person upstairs. I didn’t think anything of it. I just thought I’d get the package and go back to my suite to finish getting ready.

After I signed the tablet the nice young man gave me, I went to press the button to call the elevator. I can’t remember a single thing after that.

Slowly, I try to open my eyes, but my eyelids feel heavy, as if weighed shut. When I try to move, the cut of metal digs into my wrists.

What the heck?

I move my arms, but they seem to be tied to something. My wrists ache, chafed and raw from rubbing against something for a while. My skin feels irritated, burning painfully.

Am I chained?