"Hatred is still an emotion, sweetheart," I murmured, stepping closer. "That means you still care." Forced into a marriage with the man who despises her family, Isla vows to resist him. But Dante is a man who always gets what he wants, and what he wants… is her. As secrets unravel and enemies close in, Serena finds herself trapped in a dangerous game of power, revenge, and an undeniable attraction she can't escape. Because in Dante’s world, love isn’t gentle. It’s a war. And Serena is about to learn—when the Don wants something, he takes it.
View MoreIsla~
Tonight, I was getting engaged to my father's sworn enemy, a man with a vendetta against our family. I stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror, as I was being dolled up in preparation for his arrival. My supposed husband-to-be would be here anytime from now, and I had to look perfect for him. I took a look at the black, evening dress that ran all the way down to my feet. It clung to me like a second skin, it's expensive noose tightening around my body. The dress was stunning, to say the least but it might as well be a funeral attire. A part of me was about to die tonight. It was a gift from HIM, I was told. A sigh left my lips as my mind suddenly drifted off to Jake, my boyfriend. Just a few days ago, he had called to inform me that he would be coming back to Vegas, to me. He had been away for years and we excitedly made plans on all the things we would do, places we would visit together. I guess none of those would be happening now. By the time he gets back, I would have been married to a total stranger. "Beautiful!" I looked up to see my father by the doorway. He was already dressed up for the event, his walking stick in hand. Was he giving me a compliment? I didn't really know because it didn't sound like it. I didn't bother turning around to regard him as he walked towards me "Leave us!" He said to my female attendants and they all hurried towards the exit immediately. My father and I were now alone, engulfed in a long, awkward silence. "The dress suits you." He finally speaks up again, eyeing me through the mirror. "Where's mother?" I asked, completely ignoring his compliments. He seemed quite offended, but I could care less about his fragile ego right now. "She's busy overseeing the preparations." Preparations for my engagement to an enemy? I didn't bother to say that out loud. "You must understand that we had no other choice." My father said. "Marrying you off to Dante is the only way to get your brother back." Dante Moretti, that was his name. I remember it now and the mere mention made my skin crawl. I've heard whispers of a man who never forgives, never forgets. A man who collects his debts in blood. And tonight, I was his prize. A part of me wondered what my father must have done to piss him off, but it wasn't in my place to ask questions. He had kidnapped my elder brother, threatening to put a bullet in his head if I'm not made his bride. I was to be given to him in place of my brother. I was the sacrificial lamb, the bargaining chip. I slowly turned around to face my father and for a moment, I thought I saw something like guilt flash in his eyes. I was however convinced that it was all my wishful thinking. My father never feels sorry for using me as a pawn in his games. "What about me, father?" I asked him in a calm voice, looking right into his eyes. "After you've gotten Matteo back, what happens to me?" He didn't say a word and I didn't even need him to. I already knew the answer. My life wasn't as important to him as that of my brother. He had always been the golden child, the heir to our family's entire fortune. Matteo's life was always worth more than mine. My father suddenly leaned in to plant a soft kiss on my forehead, taking me by surprise. "You'll survive, child." He whispered, before pulling away and smiling at me. "You'll survive." With that, he slowly turned around to leave the room, slamming the door shut behind him. I took in a heavy breath to calm my nerves, suddenly feeling the entire weight of my current predicament crushing down on me. This was it! I was really about to become the bride of a vengeful monster, a man who currently has my brother at gunpoint. I was going to be offered to him like a damn present to be unwrapped. Angry tears threatened to fall from my eyes but I held them back. Now wasn't the time to cry. I couldn't let them see how broken I am. "You should run away." I was suddenly startled by the familiar voice. When did she get in? "Miss Neagley?!" I called out, turning around to look at the older woman. She had been my nanny since I was a child, more of a mother to me than my mother ever was. Miss Neagley was suddenly holding my hands in hers, looking directly into my eyes. "I know you want no part in this, Isla." She said in a hushed tone. "You should run away while you still can." I frowned. "But Matteo is..." "Matteo would want you to save yourself too, don't you think?" She argued. Miss Neagley’s grip on my wrist tightened. "You don’t have much time, child. If you want to leave, it has to be now." My heart pounded in my chest. Run? It wasn’t that simple. If I leave, Matteo might die. But if I stay, my future would belong to Dante Moretti. I swallowed hard. "How?" Her eyes flicked to the corner of the room, where the balcony doors stood slightly ajar. The night breeze whispered through the opening, as if calling to me. "The servants' passage leads out back. You can take one of the cars," she whispered. A deep voice rumbled from downstairs, sending ice through my veins. Dante. He was here. Panic set in and I knew I had to move. Without another thought, I slipped out of the room, my bare feet silent against the marble floor. My pulse thundered in my ears as I navigated the dim hallways. I knew this house better than anyone. I knew every hidden corridor, every blind spot. I was almost there. The back door was in sight. I could see the car parked just beyond the gate. Then... "Going somewhere, princess?" A voice so gentle, yet so stern suddenly halted me in my track. I heard him before I saw him and I instantly knew who he was. Dante Moretti.Years later...The buttons on Ethan's tiny shirt were giving her trouble as she tried so hard to fasten them without breaking."Hold still, monkey," Isla muttered, trying not to laugh as her son squirmed playfully beneath her touch.The silver-eyed boy blinked up at her with mischief dancing in his orbs ; those same shade of silver that used to haunt her dreams and now, somehow, warmed her soul. He was practically a replica of Dante. The resemblance was frightening... and beautiful."There." Isla leaned back, satisfied with her handiwork. "Handsome, just like your Dada."Ethan beamed, bouncing slightly in place."Yayyy!"She turned to the wardrobe, pulling it open and rummaging through hangers until she found a soft, grey jacket. "Now all we need is this and you're ready for the..."When she turned around, he was gone.A sigh fell from her lips. "Of course."She stepped out of the room, calling gently, "Ethan!"Her voice echoed softly down the long hallway."Ethan, if you don't wear y
Isla~I stood frozen in front of the door. The door to Dante's bedroom. Our bedroom.My fingers hovered just above the knob, trembling as though the metal itself would burn me. I hated this feeling. I hated being afraid and uncertain. And yet, I couldn't deny it; fear was exactly what curled tightly in my chest right now.Dante was alive.After a week and two days in the ICU, after flatlining twice, after so much bloodloss and chaos, I had watched him slip away before my eyes. I had screamed until my throat gave out. Cried until my body trembled with exhaustion. Held his hand even after he stopped squeezing back.But he made it.He was back, breathing. He was awake. Alive.He had pulled through for both me and our child. And naturally, I should be as happy as I should be grateful.But why did walking through this door feel so hard? Why did it feel so heavy in my chest I closed my eyes. The memory of that night flooded me like a tidal wave.The way the bullets had ripped through the a
Isla~The air crackled with tension.Gunfire exploded outside, rattling through the walls like a violent drumbeat. Men shouted over one another, some barking orders, others screaming in agony. Somewhere in the chaos, metal clanged against concrete, followed by a sharp, guttural cry. It was a warzone out there.And yet, I was oddly calm.Jake, however, was the one unraveling.He paced the room like a caged animal, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. Beads of sweat glistened on his temple, his jaw twitching every few seconds like he was biting down the urge to scream.I sat where I had been for hours, handcuffed to a cold, metal chair. My wrists still ached, raw from the earlier struggle. But I didn't move, I didn't flinch. Not even when the ground trembled from an explosion outside.Because the longer Jake panicked, the more I knew what was coming.I knew who was coming.Dante.Jake lunged for the walkie-talkie on the table. "Status report!" he barked into it, his voice r
[A/N: Hello beautiful readers! Just in case you haven't noticed, this book is slowly coming to an end as I have other works to commence. I however would like to use this opportunity to appreciate all my loyal readers, who followed this story from the very beginning till this point. Really, I appreciate y'all. You've made this writing journey a really wonderful one for me.]Isla~The cuffs bit into my wrists again as I shifted in the chair, a defiant glint in my eyes as I stared down the bastard seated across from me.Jake. Smug, composed, legs crossed like this was just a friendly reunion. And behind him, like some deranged scarecrow, stood the woman from earlier; Veronica. Her arms were folded, but her stance screamed readiness. Like if I so much as blinked wrong, she would put a bullet in me.I yanked at the cuffs once more, metal scraping metal. "You're wasting your time." I spat, my voice sharp with loathing. "Dante's not coming. You are delusional if you think he would ever
Dante~"Where the fuck is she?!" I roared, my voice thundering through the hall and slamming into every gilded wall and marbled surface like a wrecking ball.Chandeliers trembled, glasses tipped over and heads turned."Where is my wife?!"I didn't wait for an answer. I couldn't. My blood was boiling, and my vision had narrowed into a tunnel of blind fury. I shoved the nearest man in a suit, knocking him to the ground like a sack of flour."She went to the funking bathroom twenty minutes ago!" I yelled, grabbing another startled guest by the collar. "Now she's gone! My wife and my child are gone!"Gasps rippled through the room, followed by the shuffling of feet and murmured confusion. Some faces turned away. Others watched with wide, uncertain eyes. No one dared to move closer.No one, except the poor bastard who thought putting a hand on my shoulder might calm me down.Big mistake.I whirled around and cracked my fist against his jaw. He dropped like a stone."Stay the fuck away from
Isla ~The night stretched longer than I had initially imagined.Santiago pulled Dante from one circle to the other as they indulged in various discussions that were of little to no interest to me.A couple of formal introductions here and there, forced pleasantries and smiles that I only seemed to be getting better at.Dante however looked like he was genuinely having a great time. And watching him was like a parent watching their child interact with other children of the same age. It was really...something, even though my feet were killing me in these heels.And I was already feeling the need to visit the bathroom yet again...for the umpteenth time.Another waiter offered me some glasses of champagne and before I could even get a chance to decline, Dante reached out to take a glass.I arched an eyebrow at him but alas! He couldn't see it due to the silly mask on my face. He however seemed to understand my look, letting off a shrugged."What? I'm drinking for both of you." He said,
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