Chapter 142

• Lucia's POV
• They shoved us down stone stairs into the cellar, air damp and cold, smelling like mold and old wine. My bare feet slapped the floor, sling pulling tight on my arm, pain shooting every step. Ryan groaned ahead, guards dragging him rough, chains clanking loud. Note burned in my fist.. Sofia’s words: He killed Mom. Help me escape. Heart raced. Had to hide it. Fast.
• Guard unlocked a heavy door, pushed us in. Dim bulb swung overhead. Ryan slumped against the wall, chains locking his wrists to a pipe. Blood soaked his shirt fresh. I rushed him, knees hitting concrete. “Ryan… hold on.” Tears hot. His eyes fluttered, but smile faint. “I’m good… cufflink?”