INICIAR SESIÓNIsabella could barely breathe.Luca's gun remained pressed against the side of her neck as she stared across the distance at Don Lorenzo.For the first time since she had escaped the safe house, she was finally looking at the man she had risked everything to find.Don Lorenzo Valenti.He was alive.He was standing only a few feet away from her.But the relief she had expected never came, because her coming here had created the nightmare she was trying to avert.So instead, guilt consumed her."I'm sorry."The words escaped her trembling lips.Don Lorenzo's expression softened immediately."Isabella...""I'm sorry," she repeated, tears filling her eyes. "Please forgive me."Don Lorenzo took a small step forward.Luca immediately tightened his grip on her."Don't."Don Lorenzo stopped.His eyes remained fixed on Isabella."Why did you leave the safe house?"Isabella lowered her gaze.She couldn't tell him.Not here.Not with Luca standing behind her with a gun pressed against her neck.
Don Lorenzo Valenti looked toward the entrance quietly, as he thought deeply on what Luca's plan could be.For a few seconds, none of them said anything.Don Rossi watched him carefully.Don Lorenzo's mind was racing.Luca was using Isabella as a shield.He wanted Don Lorenzo angry.He wanted him emotional.He wanted him to make a mistake.But Don Lorenzo Valenti had survived too many wars to allow rage to dictate his actions.Still, Isabella was outside.And every second she remained beside Luca increased the danger.Don Lorenzo slowly reached for his weapon.Don Rossi spoke."Lorenzo."Don Lorenzo stopped."You can't let him provoke you."Don Lorenzo looked at him."Suddenly, Silivio Rossi is on my side."Don Rossi sighed."You saved my daughter, I owe you my life.""It's yours for the taking."Don Lorenzo nodded.His eyes returned to the doors.He could almost imagine Isabella standing outside.Frightened.Confused.Wondering why he hadn't come to her yet.Don Lorenzo's chest tight
Don Lorenzo Valenti stood motionless in the study.For several seconds, he simply stared toward the open doorway.Isabella was outside.Luca had her.And every instinct in his body was screaming at him to storm through the gates and tear Luca apart with his bare hands.But he couldn't.Not yet.He needed to know exactly what had happened.How had Isabella gotten there?How had Luca found her?And why hadn't anyone at the safe house stopped her?Or even informed him?Don Lorenzo suddenly reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.His fingers moved quickly across the screen.He dialed the number of the safe house.The call rang once.Twice.Three times.Finally, someone answered."Good morning, Don?"Don Lorenzo immediately recognized the voice of one of the guards."Where is Isabella?"Silence.Don Lorenzo's eyes narrowed."I asked you a question."The guard swallowed."Don...""Put Isabella on the phone."Another silence.Don Lorenzo's grip tightened around the phone."Now.""D
For several seconds, Don Lorenzo Valenti didn't breathe.Don Rossi stared at him, and could swear it was the first time he had seen Don Lorenzo panic.The guard continued quickly."They're both inside the vehicle with Luca."Don Lorenzo's eyes widened."Isabella..."The word escaped his lips.She was supposed to be safe.She was supposed to be nowhere near the war.He had deliberately stayed away from her.He had refused to call her because he feared his enemies could trace the connection.He had convinced himself that keeping her hidden was protecting her.And now, she was sitting inside a vehicle with Luca.At his gate.In the middle of his war.How come?Don Lorenzo's expression turned murderous."How?"The guard shook his head."We don't know."Don Lorenzo looked toward the entrance."How did Luca get her?""We don't know, Don."Don Lorenzo's jaw clenched.There's no way Luca could have discovered the safe house.Then another thought struck him.Isabella hadn't simply been capture
The physician stepped out of the room slowly.Don Lorenzo Valenti immediately looked up.He had been standing near one of the large windows, his arms folded across his chest, his expression unreadable.Behind him, Don Rossi remained on his knees.His hands were still bound behind his back.The surviving Valenti soldiers had secured every entrance.The wounded had been attended to.And Valeria had been taken into one of the private rooms inside the estate so the physician could properly treat her.But nobody had spoken much.Everyone had been waiting for the same thing.The physician's verdict.Don Lorenzo turned fully toward him."How is she?"The physician removed his gloves and sighed."She's going to make it."For a moment, nobody reacted.Then Don Rossi's head lifted.His eyes widened."She's... alive?"The physician nodded."Yes."A shaky breath escaped Don Rossi's lips."And the wound?""The bullet passed through her shoulder."The physician continued calmly."It caused signific
Luca, looked almost relaxed as Alessandro kept driving as ordered.For the first time since the battle began, he felt in control again.He had lost his army.But he had gained something better.A hostage Don Lorenzo could never ignore.Isabella.Luca glanced at her.Then smiled."Do you know what I love about today?"Isabella didn't answer."I thought I had lost everything."His eyes shifted toward Alessandro through the mirror."Then I found you two."Alessandro's expression remained cold."You think Don Lorenzo will surrender because you have us?"Luca chuckled."No."He leaned back."I think Don Lorenzo will do something much more interesting.""What?"Luca's smile widened."He'll freak out when he sees I have his precious woman."Alessandro said nothing."And when he does..."Luca looked toward Isabella."...I'll finally have the advantage."Isabella's heart sank.She looked down at her stomach.She had escaped the safe house because she wanted Lorenzo.Now Luca was taking her str
Isabella stood in front of her closet for what felt like the hundredth time, her fingers gliding over fabrics she barely recognized as hers.Silk. Satin. Velvet.Dresses that whispered confidence… boldness… attention.None of them felt like her.She pulled one out, a red bodycon dress, and held it
Don Lorenzo Valenti didn’t bother hiding his irritation when the door to his study opened again.His gaze lifted sharply—cold, unreadable.And there stood his son.Again.A scowl immediately formed on his face.“Shouldn’t you be in school?” Lorenzo asked, his voice edged with impatience.Alessandro
Don Lorenzo Valenti stood by the wide glass window of his study, the city stretching endlessly before him. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, but it did nothing to soften the cold, commanding aura that surrounded him.In his hand was a glass of whiskey.While most men reached fo
Don Lorenzo Valenti stepped further into the room, his presence filling every corner of the space.The gun in his hand remained steady, aimed directly at the young woman standing before him, half-dressed, trembling… yet strangely still.“Please… don’t shoot me,” Isabella pleaded, her voice shaking.







