CHAPTER 1

Behind The Scenes

Isabella's POV

"This is Isabella Knight, she is the doctor that saved your life." The man dressed in a suit pointed towards my direction. My head was bent low, my entire body shivered in fear as I stood in front of the most dangerous man to ever exist. He sat on an armchair and his legs were crossed. His face was not visible because of how dark the office was, the only source of light was a little candle light by the corner of the room.

"Tell her to come closer." His deep voice rung out, his voice was laced with so much authority and command. Gabriel Santos was the most feared mafia lord to ever exist in Chicago. I never imagined a day would come when I would stand in front of the man who murdered my parents and seized my older brother as his captive. I felt anxious but at the same time, I felt like my revenge plan was taking a nice turn, I was the doctor who saved his life, I knew that he was going to treat me right because of how much he valued his life.

"Did you not hear the man, step closer!" One of the numerous men dressed in suits pushed me towards the direction of Gabriel Santos. I gulped a lump down my throat and took few steps closer. The saying "Keep your enemies closer" that was exactly what I planned to do with Gabriel Santos. Although it was a tough decision to choose to spare his life but I had chosen to do that just for the sake of my revenge.

As I attempted to take another step closer, Gabriel Santos suddenly yelled. "Wait." I was startled but I remained composure. I remained in my position and continued to bow my head at him. Gabriel Santos rose to his feet, his figure was towering, he was many feets taller than me, six feets approximately, he had a muscular physique and he gave the deadliest gaze.

Gabriel stepped into the light and revealed his face, unlike every other mafia lord who looked completely scary with scars and marks all over their faces, Gabriel was the opposite. He was handsome, I had to admit. He had heterochromic eyes, his left eye was grey in colour and his right eye was green in colour. It was beautiful. He had brown curly hair that fell across his shoulders and he had an expressionless gaze, one could never tell what he was thinking.

"Did you say Isabella Knight?" He arched a brow at me. I nodded my head in agreement and my heart began to race extremely fast. Perhaps did he know me? Asides the fact that I was a famous doctor around the country, it seemed like Gabriel knew me more than just my doctor title.

"Wow, isn't today my lucky day?" I watched a mischievous smirk grow on Gabriel's face. It scared me for the fact that he was happy to see me or should I say, excited? Gabriel had other plans of his own for me and I had to make sure they were not going to clash with mine.

"Lock her up." Gabriel suddenly commanded. My eyes widened in shock and my jaw dropped as his boys rushed towards me, they snatched me by the arm and slowly began to pull me out of the office. "What are you doing?" I yelled but I got no response. Gabriel's figure slowly began to fade from my eyes. "I am the doctor that saved your fucking life! You should be grateful to me!" I cried out bitterly. The boys led me into the dark hallways and before I could say anything more, i was pushed into a small room with only the candlelight as the source of light. What was with these people and using candles to see?

"Stay put for your own safety." One of the men snapped at me. He did not even wait for my reply, he shut the door close and i could slowly hear his footsteps fading away. I rose to my feet and rushed towards the door. I began to bang the door aggressively and yell. "Please help! All of this is a mistake! I saved his life!" I cried out but hours passed by and I got no response at all.

I was exhausted, famished and worried too. I felt like I had walked directly into a trap and there was no going back. Gabriel knew who I was, although it was quite shocking that he remembered. I mean it had been five years since he murdered my parents and three years since he held my brother captive.

I laid on the cold hard floor and I felt a drop of tear roll down my cheeks. Was this how my fate was about to end too? Was I going to end up like a prisoner too? I was in my thoughts that I had not realized that I had fallen into a deep sleep until I heard the prison doors open wide, I snapped my eyes open but I could not see who had stepped into the room because it was dark, the candle had gone off.

"Hey love." The familiar deep hoarse voice echoed in the room, it was no one other than Gabriel.

"Please you need to let me out, I saved your life and your boys told me you wanted to reward me in a way. All I want to ask is that you let my brother out of your captivity." I pleaded.

I got no response but I could slowly feel Gabriel's touch on my bare skin, his hands clutched my waist tight and pulled me closer to him. I could feel his hot breath tingling in my neck, giving me sweet sensations. I was sexually aroused just by his touch but I had to snap out of it.

"What are you doing?" I asked as I struggled to break free from his grip.

"You are mine now."

That was his last words before he forcefully smashed his lips against mine.