Chapter 4

ISADORA

Luca’s had me in his house for two weeks now, and my life feels like it’s completely out of my control. My parents came for the engagement, so I’m essentially promised to him, though they refuse to tell me when the wedding is. I’ve missed a few classes, and after I crushed my phone, I asked for a new one just to call Laura and assure her I’m okay. I told her my grandma was sick, and I had to go visit her, but I’d catch up with my studies online. It was a lie, but it worked—kept her from getting suspicious and poking around.

As for Luca, he’s allowed me to leave my room, The house was a sleek, four-story modern masterpiece, blending glass, steel, and marble. Inside, the foyer featured a grand staircase and a spacious living room with contemporary furniture and large windows. The kitchen was equipped with high-end appliances, while the dining area was perfect for entertaining. The bedrooms were luxurious. The top floor housed a home theater, bar, and game room, and the rooftop terrace included a hot tub and seating area with stunning views. Every detail exuded elegance and sophistication. I haven't been to his room though, I doubt he'll take it kindly. In his words, “There’s nowhere in the world I can’t find you.” And I believe him. I don’t have the means to escape, nor the resources to stay hidden from him. I’m stuck. I’m in my final year of school, with finals looming, and I’ll need to talk to him about that soon. But with him leaving every day and not coming back until late at night, I’ve found it difficult to keep any semblance of my old life intact. Once, I saw blood stains on his shirt, but I didn’t dare ask about it. He’s clearly involved in something dangerous.

He joins me for breakfast sometimes, and I get these brief moments to talk to him. But every time I think I might be able to bring up something important—like my schoolwork, or just the thought of leaving—he shuts me down without a second thought. The last time I saw him, I planned to ask him about going back to school. But it never felt like the right time. He’s told me I’m not a prisoner as long as I behave, but I’m starting to question if that’s even true.

Today, I was walking through the garden, trying to clear my mind, when I saw him. It was strange because he’s never around at this time. His voice startled me out of my thoughts.

“Enjoying the view?” he asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

“You scared me,” I mumbled, trying to hide how rattled I felt. I wasn’t sure what to say next.

“I apologize,” Luca said, his face unreadable, as if he was trying to gauge something from me. He turned to leave, but something in the air shifted.

“Luca—” I called after him, my voice catching in my throat.

He turned around, brow raised slightly. “Yes?”

I hesitated, unsure if I should ask about school, about my life, or maybe just about him. My mouth went dry. “I—uh—I…”

“A nervous Isadora? That’s new,” he said, amusement flickering in his eyes, though his voice stayed cool.

Before I could get a word out, Rafael, Luca’s second-in-command, approached them, interrupting. “Boss, we’ve captured Enzo. We’ve got him in our custody.”

Luca’s eyes darkened, a flicker of irritation flashing across his face. He gave Rafael a sharp look, silently signaling him to take the conversation elsewhere. It was clear he didn’t like discussing Mafia business in front of me.

“We’ll talk later, Dora,” Luca said, his tone changing, colder now. With that, he turned and walked away, his shadow already looming over me.

LUCA

Isadora Rossi... She doesn’t know it, but I’ve known her longer than she thinks. It was four years ago, at one of the charity galas we both attended. I was 24, and she was 20. vibrant, defiant, and full of life. It was love at first sight.

Even though I knew I’d eventually marry Alicia, I fell for Isadora. I tried to get over her when I got married, suppressing my feelings and watching her from afar to ensure she was safe. For two years, I stayed in my marriage with Alicia. I didn’t love her, but I respected her enough never to cheat. Alicia wasn’t the easiest to deal with, but I was young, power-hungry, and focused on securing my position after taking over from my father. I killed the old man and never regretted it.

Alicia’s father was a powerful politician, and our marriage was a strategic move to strengthen my allies. Then, two years later, Alicia died.

After her death, I could no longer ignore the pull Isadora had on me. When I found out Gabriel—her father—was drowning in debt and planning to sell her off to a notorious human trafficking ring to save himself, I intervened. I made him an offer: her hand in marriage.

The man doesn’t deserve a daughter like her, and her mother? Just as complicit in the betrayal. Isadora may not be on good terms with her father, but I know it’ll break her to learn that he was willing to sell her to monsters. That’s why I’ll keep that truth buried—for now.

"Have you started interrogating him?" I asked Rafael as we got into the SUV.

"No, he's still sedated."

"Good. We need to find our shipment. This is the third one in two months."

"Do you think they're connected?"

"Yes, I think they're all connected, and we need to find out by who." We arrived at the warehouse where Enzo was tied up.

I interrogated Enzo, pushing him further with each question, but he held out, not cracking. The anger and frustration built up inside me, and I lost track of time as I tortured him for answers. But no matter how much I pressed, he didn’t break, and it only made me more irritable. By the time I returned home, it was well past midnight. I hadn’t expected Isadora to be up. As I entered the living room, she caught sight of my bloodstained shirt. Her face drained of color, and without a word, she ran off. I could see it in her eyes, I'd frightened her.