Chapter 17: MISSING DIANA

DANTE POV

“This isn’t what we planned” I called out to Carlos upon hearing now that he has my sister.

I felt my anger spike at carlos words, but he continued, his tone smooth and calculated.

"Calm down, Dante. It's just an opportunity I grabbed. Haven't we done two things at the same time before? Besides, now Diana is already in safe hands."

My grip on the phone tightened. "What safe hands?" I growled.

Carlos  chuckled. "She's here, Dante. And isn't it nice that you get to talk to your sister again? It's been a long while, after all."

My mind reeled as I processed carlos words.

"Take me to where she is," I demanded, my voice firm and urgent.

Carlos nodded, signaling one of his guards to escort me to Diana's location.

As I followed the guard, my heart pounded in anticipation. Where was Diana? Was she safe?

We arrived at a door, and the guard pushed it open. I stepped inside, finding myself in a dimly lit room. But as my eyes adjusted, I realized that the room was actually divided into two sections - one brightly lit, and the other shrouded in darkness.

I stood in the shadows, my eyes fixed on the figure in the lighted area. It was Diana, her face pale and worried. But she didn't seem to be harmed.

I watched her, my presence hidden by the darkness. She couldn't see me, but I could see her. And for now, that was all that mattered.

Diana stirred, her chest rising and falling with a gentle slowness. As she came to, her eyes fluttered open, unfocused and confused.

"Where...where am I?" she stammered, her voice husky from sleep. She looked around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings with a growing sense of panic. Her gaze darted from the cold, grey walls to the single, narrow bed she sat on, and back again.

"This isn't...this isn't my room," she whispered, her voice trembling. "What's going on? How did I get here?"

She scrambled to her feet, her eyes wide with fear. She took a step forward, then stopped, looking around uncertainly. Her eyes were wild, her face pale, and her small frame seemed to vibrate with tension.

As I stood there, watching Diana search for a way out, I couldn't help but think about how much I'd missed her. It had been ages since we'd last seen each other, and the ache of her absence still lingered.

But I knew I couldn't just walk out there and reveal myself. Not yet, anyway. I wasn't ready to face her, to tell her the truth about the deal I'd made. The weight of it all was still crushing me, and I needed some time to get my head around it.

I took one last look at Diana, feeling a pang in my chest. Then I turned and walked out of the room, leaving her to her frantic search.

I needed a drink, something to calm my racing mind and quiet the guilt that was eating away at me. A glass of wine in the living room seemed like just the thing.

I stood by the window, nursing my glass of wine as I gazed out at the grounds. That's when I saw her - Diana, sprinting across the lawn like her life depended on it.

"Looks like someone's making a break for it," I muttered to myself, a wry smile spreading across my face.

I didn't bother calling out or alerting the guards. Instead, I just watched, intrigued, as Diana made a beeline for the nearest exit.

"She's not going to make it," I said, shaking my head. "The guards will catch up to her soon enough."

Just then, I heard the sound of footsteps echoing from the hallway. The guards had already been alerted, and they were hot on Diana's heels.

"It's over," one of the guards called out, his voice firm but not unkind. "You're not going anywhere, Miss."

I watched as Diana slowed to a stop, her shoulders slumping in defeat. The guards closed in around her, their faces expressionless.

"Let's go," one of them said, gently but firmly taking Diana's arm.

As they led her away, I felt a pang of guilt. I knew I had to reveal myself to her eventually, but for now, I just didn't have the courage.

Just then, Carlos emerged from the shadows, a sly smile spreading across his lips. "Look who we have here," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.

I felt a surge of irritation at the sight of him. There was something about Carlos that rubbed me the wrong way, something that made my skin crawl.

"Who are you?" Diana demanded, her eyes narrowing as she took in Carlos's smug expression.

Carlos chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment. "I am Carlos," he said, his voice low and smooth.

Diana's face changed, a flicker of recognition crossing her features. It was clear that she knew Carlos, or at least knew of him.

"What do you want from me?" she asked, her voice firm but laced with a hint of fear.

Carlos's smile grew wider. "Let's just say you're my leverage for a negotiation," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "And make sure you don't try to leave this place again, my dear. You won't like the outcome."

Diana's head snapped up, her eyes flashing with defiance. "You took me away by force," she said, her voice steady. "How can I possibly be your 'price'?"

Carlos's expression remained unmoved. "No questions, my lady," he said, his voice firm. "You are my rightful prize."

With a curt nod, he signaled to the guards, who stepped forward to escort Diana away. She shot Carlos a furious glance before turning to follow the guards, her shoulders stiff with resistance.

I watched as Diana was led away, her head bowed in defeat. She looked frustrated and scared, and my heart went out to her. As her brother, it killed me to see her like this.

But for now, I was powerless to help her. I was trapped in this web of secrets and lies, and I didn't know how to escape. All I could do was watch as Diana was taken away, feeling a mix of guilt, anger, and helplessness.

As I stood there, frozen in indecision, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was betraying my sister's trust. I was supposed to protect her, not stand by and watch as she was held captive. But what choice did I have?