Chapter 1

I was bleeding out from a stab wound when Dante and his "little sister," Seraphina, happened to drive by. I screamed for help, but he just looked at me and said, "Leave her. She's a nobody."

In that second, something inside me died. I knew I had to get away from him, away from the Torrino family.

"Help! Dante!"

Blood poured from the gash in my shoulder, my voice tearing through the rainy alley. Three masked men had just vanished into the dark, leaving me on the cold asphalt. The pain was so sharp I could barely breathe.

Then I heard the familiar growl of an engine.

Dante’s black Maserati slowed as it passed the alley, the window half-down. I used my last bit of strength to wave.

"Dante! It's me! Isabella!"

The car stopped for a few seconds.

I could see a head of long, blonde hair in the passenger seat—Seraphina Gallo. She was clutching Dante’s arm, practically melting into the leather seat.

"I thought I heard someone calling for help..." I heard her say.

"Dante, I'm so scared," she whispered, her voice trembling. "What if they're still around?"

Dante glanced in my direction, then his eyes snapped back to her.

"Just some nobody. Don't be scared, I've got you." He squeezed her hand. "I won't let anyone hurt you."

The engine roared back to life, and the taillights disappeared around the corner.

I closed my eyes, letting the rain wash over my wounds.

Fifteen minutes later, Marco found me. He was an old friend from college, now an ER doctor.

"Jesus, Isabella! Who did this to you?" Marco quickly checked my injuries. "We have to get you to a hospital, now."

"No," I said through gritted teeth. "Take me home. The family doctor will handle it."

Two hours later, I pushed open the door to our apartment.

The crystal chandelier in the living room cast a warm glow. On the couch, Dante was holding Seraphina tight. She was in a thin dress, her soft curves pressed against him, but neither of them seemed to think anything of it.

"Isabella?" Dante looked up, his brow furrowed. "Why are you back so late? And why are you soaked?"

I looked down at myself—my coat stained with a mix of rain and blood, my face pale as a ghost.

"Hit a little trouble," I said flatly, walking straight to the security room.

"What trouble?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I pulled up the security footage from the street. The screen clearly showed the entire attack, including the moment Dante's car drove right past me.

"Isabella, what are you doing?" Dante’s voice was sharp with impatience. "Seraphina almost got herself killed, and you're screwing around with security tapes instead of checking on her?"

I turned to face them. Seraphina was looking at me with those innocent blue eyes, tears welling up.

"I'm so sorry, Isabella," she said softly. "I'm the one who caused trouble for the family. Those men... from the Costello family... they were after me."

"It's fine," I said, my voice unnervingly calm. "As long as you're safe."

Dante let out a breath, pulling her even closer. "Isabella, Seraphina can't be alone tonight. Those guys might come back for her."

"You want her to stay over?"

"Yes." Dante looked at me, a strange hope in his eyes. "She'll take the master bedroom. It's bigger, safer. We'll take the guest room."

In three years, no one had ever set foot in our master bedroom. It was our space.

"Of course," I nodded. "I'll go get fresh sheets."

Dante was clearly surprised I agreed so easily. His surprise quickly turned to satisfaction.

"You're so understanding, Isabella."

I walked into the bedroom and started packing. Every piece of clothing, every photograph, I carefully placed into a suitcase.

"Need a hand?" Dante appeared at the door.

"No," I said without looking up, continuing to gather my jewelry from the vanity.

"Isabella," he said, not noticing I was packing more than just a nightgown. "You know her brother left her in my care. He was my best friend. I have to protect her."

My hand paused for a second.

"I trust you, Dante," I said, my voice as neutral as if I were discussing the weather. "After all, you said the Gallo family would always be your responsibility, right?"

Dante's face tightened. He didn't seem pleased by my generosity.

After a long moment, he finally nodded, pulling Seraphina closer as if to spite me. "Of course. I promised Marco Gallo I'd protect her like she was my own sister."

I picked up my nightgown and walked toward the guest room.

"Goodnight."

That night, Dante never came to bed.

And I sent my mother a text: Mom, I need to come home.