Page 68 of (UN)Bounded

I can’t help the tears that roll down my face. I’m terrified not only of dying but of potentially seeing Gabo die if he’s the one who’s near.

Fuck, why did I have to end up in the middle of this shit show?

I’m not sure how long I stand there in the cold night. I don’t move, afraid if I do, I might trigger a landmine or, worse, make enough noise to put Gabo in danger. Everything is eerily still. There’s no breeze, no moon shining down. The sky is covered in clouds—like time is frozen. The calm before the storm.

Suddenly, I think I hear the crunching of leaves. Maybe I’m imagining it? My body is exhausted, and I’m not sure how much longer I will last standing. The only thing keeping me upright is the fear of messing up. I hear it again: crunch, crunch. I don’t look behind me to see if Professor Lóp—Max—noticed. I don’t want to alert him in case he didn’t hear.

“I know you’re out there, Gabo. Come get your girl,” he shouts.

I try to press my lips together, but I can’t—the damn tape is too tight around my mouth.

Out of nowhere, a figure appears in the distance. I can’t tell who it is, but I’m sure it’s a man. He approaches the cabin slowly, with measured steps and hands in the air. When I see him, I can't help but cry harder. He came for me. And now he’s going to die because of me.

“Bella mia,” Gabo says as he walks faster toward me. His voice is rough like he’s been yelling a lot. I can’t imagine the nightmare this has been for him, too.

“Stop. There are landmines,” someone shouts, and Gabo freezes.

“You brought professionals. I didn’t think you were here alone,” Max says from behind me, safe from the landmines on the cabin’s front porch. He pulls out a gun and points it at me. I want to charge and knock him down, but I can’t move. And I don’t know where the landmines are. My legs start wavering; I’m so tired, but I need to be strong for him. For us.

I try to take calming breaths, but it’s in vain. Seeing Gabo so close yet so far away is killing me. When he extends his hand to me, as if to say, “I’m here. I got you,” I lose it. My body doubles over in pain. I’m desperate to be in Gabo’s arms.

“Aww, such a beautiful moment, Gabriel and Isabella finally reunited,” Max says in a mocking tone.

My thoughts shift from sadness and stress to murderous rage. I’ve never been a violent person, but knowing that Gabo is here and is in danger makes me rabid.

“What do you want, Max? A formal apology? I can have Luca on the phone in two seconds,” Gabo asks.

“Oh, so he’s not here? I guess he doesn’t care about his family as much as he made it seem all those years ago.”

I grit my teeth. Can someone shut this idiot up? My brother is the most caring person ever, so if he’s not here, it is precisely because he’s taking care of his family.

“No, he couldn’t make it. His wife is ready to give birth to their first child any day now,” Gabo says.

I hear a loud noise behind me. When I look back, Max is angrily kicking a rocking chair, over and over, until it becomes a pile of wood. I’d rather he take his anger out on the chairs than on me or Gabo.

“I saw their wedding pictures and how happy they are together. It should have been me marrying her. I didn’t realize Karina was so close to giving birth. I guess I’ve been distracted planning this little reunion,” Max yells, so much anger in his voice.

I stay rooted on the floor, terrified of what’s coming next.

“No, that should have never been you. Karina and Luca are meant to be.” I would recognize that voice even in my sleep. I can’t believe Gio is here, too.

I fall to my knees as I see him walk toward me and stand next to Gabo. This has to stop now before I lose two of the most important people in my life. I hope they have a plan because we’re really going to need one to get out of this mess.

“Ah, the smart brother. Gio, right? Yeah, I’ve read about you. Smart and lonely. Ever since Ruin vanished. Poor soul, may she rest in peace.”

Gio transforms from cool and collected to a wolf ready to draw blood.

“Keep Ruin’s name out of your filthy mouth,” Gio shouts with such a stern voice that even I get the chills. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him so mad.

“I’m here, Max. Talk to me and leave my family the fuck out of this.” Luca emerges from the shadows, and I see everyone’s faces transform in pure shock. I’m shocked, too.

How did he make it from Chile? Oh, my God. This is madness.

“I was just making sure my wife was safe before I came to end this charade once and for all.”

I cannot believe this. Everyone I love is here. Gio remains next to Gabo, and there’s no one else on the periphery. At least, no one I can see.

“So glad you could join us, asshole. It wouldn’t have been the same without you,” Max says as he rearranges his hair and cocks the gun. I whimper. I hope Gabo has a plan because right now, I feel helpless and useless.

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