A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL'S SON

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

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

ISABELLAS POVI locked myself in the bathroom and stood under the rainfall shower until the water ran cold and my skin was pink. There were indeed guest supplies in the cabinet under the sink and I found an unopened toothbrush and toothpaste and face wash. It was enough for me. When I finally emerged wrapped in the softest towel I had ever felt, I found a t shirt laid out on the bed. It was clearly Dante's and it was huge. I was only wearing it because I had nothing else. But somewhere in my mind, I was pleased that I would have to wrap myself in his scent even though I pushed the thoughts away.Just like I thought, it smelled like him though and that made something in my chest twist uncomfortably.I climbed into bed and chose the left side because it was furthest from the door. The sheets were exactly as soft as they looked and the mattress was perfect and I should have fallen asleep immediately because I was exhausted.But my mind wouldn't stop spinning.Vittorio's dead eyes. My f

His driver was waiting downstairs and we slid into the back of the Rolls Royce in silence. The city was already alive with mid morning traffic and I watched the buildings slide past while Dante typed something on his phone."Where are we going?" I asked finally."Marchetti's. Best jeweler in the city." He glanced up. "You need a ring if we're going to sell this.""I was thinking something simple. A solitaire maybe.""I was thinking something that belonged to my grandmother."I turned to stare at him. "What?""My grandmother's engagement ring." He pocketed his phone and met my eyes. "It's been in the family for three generations. If we're going to convince your father this is real we need to use it.""Dante that's an heirloom. You can't just give me a family ring for a fake engagement.""Why not? Bianca was going to get it and that engagement was arranged too." He said it flatly. "Besides it's been sitting in a vault for three years. Might as well put it to use.""But""No arguments Is

The cameras went crazy."Miss Castellano! Mister Salvatore! Over here!""Is it true you're engaged?""When's the wedding?""How did the Castellano and Salvatore families react to the news?"Dante kept his hand firmly on my waist as we moved down the red carpet and I smiled and let him guide me. This was a performance and I knew how to perform.Inside the museum was even more opulent with champagne flowing and string quartets playing. Enough wealth concentrated in one room to end poverty in three countries. I recognized faces from every major family and corporation in Crimson Bay and they all turned to stare as we entered.The whispers started immediately."Did you hear? They're engaged.""After twenty years of rivalry? Impossible.""Someone should tell Vittorio Romano. He's going to be furious.""I heard Dante bought her the emerald ring. His grandmother's ring."Dante leaned down to murmur in my ear. "Showtime."We worked the room together and I had to admit we were good at this. Dan