Novels by Stephanie Christopher

CHAPTER FOURThe AnnouncementFinally, this was it. I stood in front of the high class restaurant where all the high class families of Crimson Bay were dining at this moment. Dante had called them all together for the big announcement. Vittorio and Pa were here.The restaurant's interior was already filled with Crimson Bay's power players. I recognized faces from every major family: Castellanos, Salvatores, representatives from the Yakamoto group, even a few Petrovs from the Russian Bratva.And there, near the back of the room, the center of all attention stood Dante.He was deep in conversation with Luca Moretti, his cousin and owner of the restaurant, but the moment I entered, his gaze found mine.The room could have caught fire and I wouldn't have noticed.He excused himself from Luca and crossed the room to meet me, all eyes on the prime heir of Salvatore Conglomerate."Isabella." He took my hand, pressing a kiss to my knuckles that sent electricity up my arm. "You look beautiful

CHAPTER THREEDante Salvatore's office occupied the entire top floor of Salvatore Tower, and I had goosebumps all over as I walked into it. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of Crimson Bay, but I barely noticed the view. My attention was fixed on the man standing behind the desk, which was at the center of the room, watching me with those grey eyes that always unnerved me. Six-foot-three of controlled power, dark hair styled to perfection, and a face that belonged to a Greek god. Worse off, was the arrogant expression he always carried on his face. He knew he was damn too good-looking."Isabella." His eyes bore through me. "You're early." "I'm exactly on time." I moved into the room with confidence I didn't feel, my Louboutins silent on the marble floor. "You said nine. It's nine." "I said nine. You arrived at eight fifty-seven." He glanced at his Patek Philippe.Damn him for being observant.I said nothing as I settled into the leather chair across his desk withou

CHAPTER TWOShe sat on the sofa, perplexed, while I paced the length of the room from one end to the other."Tell me what the hell is going on, Bella. You're looking very worried, and it's making me very worried too." Elena Torres, my best friend, observed from my office sofa. She'd followed me here after the gala, giving me space to break down. "Just stop pacing and talk to me. You know that you can tell me anything."I touched my cheek. The swelling from where Vittorio violently slapped me had gone down, but I could feel the bruise forming. I'd covered it with makeup before Elena arrived. I couldn't let her see. Couldn't let anyone see what Vittorio had done. What my father had let him do."Papa sold me tonight." The words came out hollow, and I finally slumped on the sofa opposite her, feeling very weak. "To Vittorio Romano. The engagement announcement is in two weeks."Elena's face went pale. She was on her feet in an instant, crossing to me. "Bella, he's""I know what he is," I

The glass slipped from my hand, red wine splashing in my clothes and the floor. The sound of it shattering barely registered over the roaring in my ears."What no!" I shouted, my throat cracking. "What are you doing?!""Bella, please." My father's voice shook. "Just do what he asks."Marco Castellano Don of the Castellano family, the man who'd built an empire on calculated violence and pure evil was on his knees. Shaking. There was a gun pressed against his temple. A gun that did not hold a candle to the firearms my dad usually handled.Something was awfully wrong.Vittorio Romano's smile was dark and evil. "Come here, Isabella."I couldn't move. My heels felt stuck to the floor. My body froze in the doorway of my father's study. Below us, three hundred guests laughed and drank at the charity gala, completely unaware that their host was seconds from death.Click.The sound of the hammer cocking unfroze me. My legs moved by their own will, and seconds later I was standing in front of t