Dante~I stood at the edge of the balcony, staring down at the dark gardens below. The same balcony where Isla had once threatened to jump off and end her own life...because of me. That night had left a scar I never talked about. One I didn't even let myself feel until recently.Back then, I told myself I didn’t care. The only reason I stopped her was because I didn't want her action to put a dent in my reputation.Now I knew better.I took another sip of the burning liquor, feeling it claw down my throat. It didn't help. If anything, it made her voice louder in my head."I think I'm in love with him.""I'm in love with Dante Moretti."I gripped the glass tighter until it creaked in protest.She didn't know I heard her. She was talking to Katya. I was supposed to be gone, off handling business in Palermo. Five days, I told myself. Five days of space.But I barely lasted two.I told my men we were leaving early. No explanation. They didn't ask. No one ever questions me. But I knew why
Isla~"Sit!" Katya's voice was firm and left no room for argument. She was clearly mad at me already, so I decided to swallow my retort and comply.My breath was still shaky from all the adrenaline coursing through my veins from earlier. For a brief moment, it felt like I had stared death right in the eyes.Now, all I had in my head were questions. Questions about her. Seraphine.Who the hell is she? And why did she emit such a dangerous aura so effortlessly? Who is her father? The one who took Dante in. And why the hell is she here, now of all times?I couldn't help but feel like there was something more going on. And like always, I'm once again in the dark about it. I knew nothing."There's a lot you don't know." Dante's words rang in my head, making me clench my fist in anger.He wouldn't tell me. And now I couldn't help but feel like I had thrown myself into the thick of it."Stay still." Katya mumbled, cutting through my train of thoughts. I turned to see her holding out a dis
Isla~I may have either overestimated my non-existent fighting skills or underestimated Seraphine's.Why? Because it's been over five minutes now and I was yet to land a single hit on her. My lungs were practically burning with how hard I was breathing. This went on to show just how really out of shape I was. Seraphine on the other hand, was enjoying this way too much. Dodging and sidestepping my attacks like it had all been rehearsed. She didn't make any move to attack me back.She just wanted to humiliate me. She wanted to show everyone how worthless I was.And that thought stirred up more anger in me than I initially had.I wanted to wipe that smug expression off her face. I wanted to make her pay.But I'd have to catch her first.I had gradually ran out of breath, my movements painfully slow and labored. I doubled over in exhaustion, my hands resting on my knees as I tried to fill my lungs with as much oxygen as I could.Damnit Isla, why do you have to be so fat? I cussed below
Isla~"But very soon, you will know."It's been over two days already and those words have refused to leave my head. Was Dante just stalling? Avoiding the answer to my question? Or was he genuinely clueless as to what it was?But how could he be holding something that belongs to another man and not be aware of it? Was El Cajon just playing silly mind games with me?It all seemed so confusing the more I thought about it and I just wanted to scream and pull out my hair in frustration.I finally stood up from the couch where I had been lazing all day. Maybe a walk around the yard will put my mind at ease.Kayla and Katya seemed to be having fun already in their room. I could hear their laughter all the way from the floor above me.I suddenly stopped in front of a nearby mirror to give myself a quick once-over and goodness! Was I horrified.My skin appeared to be a little more paler than usual, a contrast to the red, lengthy, unkempt hair protruding from my scalp. I had crumbs tiny crust
Isla~Dante shoved me roughly into the room and I turned around just in time to see him shutting the door behind himself.His demeanor was calm. Too calm.But I could see the angry storm raging in those gray orbs of his. He was doing everything he could to contain it.I took a single step back, feeling my heart beat faster in my chest. Maybe if I say something, all this tension will go away and his anger will subside."Dante, I ..." "Save it, Isla!" He growled, cutting me off."You won't be doing anymore of that charity shit." Now it was my turn to glare in anger. My breathing became heavier as I seethed at Dante. How dare he?"You can't stop me." I spat, unwilling to back down. Unwilling to let him boss me around.Dante took a step forward and I knew it was meant to threaten me, to make me cower in fear.However I stood my ground in defiance, looking him dead in the eyes with my most deathly glare.He may be my husband, but he was not my Boss."I'm warning you, Isla." He breathed
Isla~My eyes remained squinted at the older man, as he sat across from me.After what happened earlier, he had brought us to a nearby local bar, to "talk". Despite my skepticism, I had agreed to follow him.Afterall, he did save us.He raised up his head to grin at a glaring Katya, who remained standing behind me with her arms folded."Aren't you going to sit already? Have a drink or two?" El Cajon urged."No, thank you. I'm fine standing up." Katya muttered, narrowing her eyes at him.She also felt the same way I felt about this man. There was something about him that just felt...not right, ominous.El Cajon chuckled at her words, proceeding to raise his glass to his lips for another sip of his beer.His gaze slowly landed on Kayla, who was still clinging to my side, shaken by the incident that took place earlier today. Then on me, I watched him intently as the corners of his lips tugged up in a smirk.Looking at him, I could tell he was probably around the same age as my father. Ho
Isla~So this was it?The slums of Vegas. A place crawling with hopelessness and abject penury.It was the part of the city they never show on the news. And I saw why.Our vehicle drove slowly down narrow road, giving me the opportunity to peer at the neighborhood through the tinted window.Children were starved and out of school, all without proper care. Young girls were scattered around in the most inappropriate dressings; chattering away with men that were twice their ages.Every corner of the street was littered with heaps of refuse, creating an unpleasant sight for the eyes. I could feel Kayla's hand gripping mine as she also took in the scene around us. She had asked to tag along and I had let her.Katya was also seated at the front, right beside the driver. She had a hardened expression on her face as she scanned the surrounding but I knew deep down, she felt the same way I felt about this.Afterall, she did grow up in a neighborhood like this...or so I heard."You know, you d
A/N: so, just thought about trying this third person POV. Please tell me how you feel about it in the comments,🥺!]The morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden patterns on the tiled floor of Dante's bedroom. He stood in front of the tall mirror, bare-chested, his black slacks already hugging his hips. His hands moved mechanically, tugging a white dress shirt over his shoulders, fingers slow as they began buttoning each loop.His gloomy reflection stared back at him.A version of himself he barely recognized.His once-sharp eyes looked tired, shadowed by the dark circles carved deep under them. His hair was still damp from the shower, curls unruly and curling over his forehead. But it wasn't his appearance that weighed on him. It was the image of her.Isla.Her name whispered through his mind, impossible to ignore.The sadness in her eyes the night before had pierced through his defenses. The way she looked at him, like he was a stranger, like he had betray
Isla~I lay on the king-sized bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, the sheets twisted around my legs. Sleep wasn't coming tonight, not with the way my entire body ached with need, not with the way my thoughts spun around one person.Dante.This had to be one of the few nights I was spending alone. No hands on my skin, no dirty words whispered in my ear, no lips trailing fire down my neck. Just me, the dark, and memories that refused to fade.My hand drifted across my stomach, sliding lower, eyes fluttering shut as I tried to recall the way he touched me. The way his fingers teased, the sound of his voice when he wanted me, the weight of his body pressed into mine. I chased the feeling, desperate and aching. My fingers teased my throbbing entrance as I tried to replicate the ecstatic feeling.But it wasn't enough.It would never be enough.I let out a sharp breath, yanking my hand away in frustration. What the hell was I doing?This was pathetic.I got out of bed and pulled on my robe