005 — Choked Ambition

Isabella's POV.

“Which do you prefer?” He smirked low.

He didn't take a step forward. He just stood still, his voice rose into a deep roar that echoed through the big room.

“Tell me!!”

My breath caught hard in my throat, as I staggered back, so shocked, finding it hard to believe what's going on right now.

“You know, I’ve heard about you,” he said, his dark eyes dragging down my body, from my messy hair all the way to my bare thighs under his white shirt. “Is this how you brought down the Valenti Group?” His fingers tapped on the desk — sharp, steady clicks that cut through the silence. “Or do you have more tricks up your sleeve?”

My heart slammed real hard against my ribs, pounding so hard that I thought I might crack open.  I took a small step back. The floor now felt icy under my bare feet.

He walked toward me, each step made the air feel thicker and hotter, more tense. I kept moving until my back hit the wall. I felt the chill crept through the thin shirt, making me shiver. His warm breath brushed my face as he stopped right in front of me, so close that I could smell his skin and the faint scent of last night’s sex still on him.

“How do you know about this?” I asked, my voice came out more quieter than I wanted, rough and shaky at the edges. My mind was spinning as I tried to wrap my head around this. Is he close with the Valenti Group? Did he put a tail on me? My heart was beating fast, as I was lost.

“It’s a long story,” he murmured, shaking his head. “But I’ll make it simple for you, love.”

He pinned me against the wall with his heavy body, his broad chest crushed my breasts. Heat poured off his skin through his robe. I tried to twist away, but his strong hands gripped my waist tight, his fingers digging real hard into my flesh.

“I knew who you were the second I saw you at the party,” he whispered. His lips hovered so close that I felt the heat of every word. “Damn. You moved exactly like they told me you would.”

My stomach twisted into a tight knot right there. “What?”

“You came into my bedroom, stripped naked for me. Made yourself so fucking irresistible just to trap me.” His fingers pushed real gentle into my hair, only for him to grip a thick handful of my hair, his grip hard enough to sting my scalp. “Why were you going through my stuff?”

I stayed quiet, breathing hard, my chest rising and falling real quick.

“You were looking for something dirty on me. Something to use against me. Something to make me do whatever you want.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I muttered low, trying to deny my plan. I could think of any more excuses. Obviously, he didn't buy into the first one. I tried to move away again, but my attempt was futile as he got me cornered. 

He slammed my back harder against the wall, pissed off. The impact rattled my spine, pain shook my whole body. “Let me go,” I growled, pissed off as I pushed him hard, hitting his chest.

He didn’t move. Just when I thought he can't do anything to me, his big hand suddenly wrapped around my throat like a vice. In one brutal motion, he lifted me until only the tips of my toes scraped the floor. 

My eyes bulged, tearing up as I couldn't breathe. I clawed at his wrist as wild as I could, digging my nails deep into his skin, drawing blood, but his grip only tightened more. My lungs screamed for air. A raw, burning pain exploded in my throat. 

I opened my mouth wide but no sound came out. Hot tears streamed down my face and dripped to his fingers. Black spots now burst across my vision. My head felt like it was floating, getting lighter every second.

“I’m not like the Valenti Group,” he growled, rage radiating from his face inches from mine. His hot breath burned my skin. “Don’t toy with me.”

My nails still scratched frantically at his hand. My chest heaved real hard, craving air but nothing entered my lungs. A loud ringing filled my ears. The room started spinning around me, his face blurry. My toes barely touched the floor as I dangled helplessly.

“If I ever see you again,” he said, squeezing even tighter, his voice low and deadly, “I will kill you. Trust me on this.”

My vision started going black at the edges. My body jerked hard. Panic flooded me as I realized that I might actually die here, right now. My hands grew weaker on his wrist.

Just when everything began to fade, he cursed sharply and threw me down. “Shit.”

I collapsed to the floor, gasping desperately for air as I held my neck. Loud, ugly coughing sounds tore from my raw throat. Each breath felt like fire. My neck throbbed real bad with sharp pain as I breathe. Tears poured down my face. My whole body shook violently as I tried to fill my lungs that were already burning.

I looked up at him through blurry eyes. He stood there like a demon, his chest rising and falling fast, his eyes still dark with rage.

“I just can’t kill you now,” he said with a low, dark laugh. “After all, I enjoyed the sex last night.”

Rage exploded inside me. I pushed myself up on shaky legs, stepped forward, and slapped him hard across the face. The sharp crack echoed through the room. My palm stung badly from the hit. He laughed again, looking away.

 I turned quickly, snatched my black dress from the floor, and walked out. My neck throbbed with every heartbeat. My legs felt weak and unsteady the entire way.

--------

Later that night, I sat curled on the couch in my living room. The cool silk night dress clung to my skin. A half-empty glass of whiskey rested in my hand. The smoky, burning taste still lingered on my tongue. I poured myself another glass. Ice cubes clinked loudly in the quiet room.

My hands stayed at my neck that still hurt badly. Every swallow sent sharp stabs of pain down my bruised throat, reminding me of his crushing grip.

Felix walked in, closing the door so quietly. “Won’t you kiss Lila goodnight?”

I looked up at him but said nothing. I took a long sip. The whiskey burned warmly down my sore throat.

“You should see her more,” he said gently, still pressing in. “Your daughter might forget your face soon.”

I sighed deeply, getting him. The leather couch creaked under me as I leaned back, feeling the weight of the world. “He knows me, Felix.”

His eyes widened right there. “What?”

"How much does he know?" He asked, looking at him. His gaze softened as he noticed the bruise on my neck.

“He knows enough to make this hard for me.” I downed the rest of the glass in one go, knowing well that I won't get him easily. The alcohol burned all the way down. “He called me by my real name. He also knew about Valenti Group.”

"Felix, I need to be alone." I asked, already sensing that he'll start comforting me any minute. Things just got real hard for me and I don't need to be comfortable.

Felix stood there for a moment, worry clearly written all over his face. “Sleep early.” 

As soon as he left, the room felt too quiet. I swirled the empty glass, the ice clinked softly. I stood up, stared at the dark window. My hardened reflection stared back, showing me my past as I stared at the glittering New York skyline. A dark, bitter smile curved my red lips.

“You think you scare me, Damien Thorne?” I whispered to myself, my voice low but filled with steel.

“I always get what I want, Damien Thorne…” I laughed softly, the sound cold and lethal in my room. 

“You have no idea who you’re playing with.”