All Chapters of The Mafia King’s Bride; He’s danger. She’s revenge : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Isabella's POV I turned back around to face my aunt, but she was already gone, disappeared into the crowd like smoke, leaving me alone at the table with my half-finished coffee and a thousand unanswered questions.Matteo's eyes scanned the café until they found me. His expression was unreadable as he crossed the space between us, weaving between tables until he stood in front of me."Did you follow me?" The question came out angrier than I intended, but I couldn't help it. The fury at being tracked, at having my one chance to speak with my aunt ruined, sent anger radiating through me in hot waves."Yes." He pulled out the chair my aunt had vacated moments ago and sat down. "I followed you.""I told you I was meeting friends.""And I told you that you needed protection. When my men reported that you'd deliberately lost them, I came to find you myself." His voice was calm. "I was only protecting you, Isabella.""Protecting me?" I nearly spat the words. "Or spying on me?""Both, if ne

Isabella's POV Matteo stepped closer, closing the distance between us. His hand came up to cup my face, his thumb tracing along my cheekbone with a gentleness that made my breath catch."I can't wait to marry you," he murmured, his voice low and sincere in a way that made my heart skip. "I know this isn't how either of us expected things to happen, but I—" He paused, searching for words. "I'm glad it's you, Isabella."Before I could respond, before I could process what he had just said, his lips were on mine.The kiss was different from the ones before. Not urgent or demanding, but slow and deliberate, as though he was savouring every moment. His other hand found the small of my back, pulling me closer until our bodies were pressed together, until I could feel his heartbeat against my chest.I should have pulled away and remembered all the reasons why this was dangerous, why I couldn't let myself feel what I was feeling, why I should hate him in the more instead of falling into the

Matteo's POV Isabella looked absolutely stunning tonight. The emerald dress fitted her perfectly, the colour bringing out her eyes in a way that made it hard for me to look away. Every time she moved, every time she smiled, I found myself forgetting where I was, forgetting the performance we were both supposed to be giving.But I wasn't the only one watching her.Vincenzo's eyes had been on Isabella all evening, tracking her movements across the ballroom, following her when she danced, assessing her with that calculating look I had learned to hate over the years.He had brought one of his girlfriends—a model whose name I couldn't remember, beautiful in the empty way his women always were. She hung on his arm for the first hour, trying desperately to keep his attention, but he barely looked at her. His focus was entirely on Isabella.The way he looked at her made something dark and possessive coil in my chest. It was the same look he had given every other woman I had shown interest

Isabella's POV I stared at Vincenzo for what felt like forever, my mind racing through possibilities. Had he heard my conversation with Aunt Carla? Had he seen her slip away? Was that why he was here, catching me alone in this corridor?But as I studied his expression, searching for any sign that he knew what had just transpired, I saw only surprise. Genuine surprise at finding me here, away from the party, standing in this empty hallway like I'd lost my way.He didn't know. He hadn't heard anything.The relief that flooded through me was almost dizzying."What are you doing out here all alone?" he repeated, moving closer.I forced my expression into something casual, unbothered. "What does it look like? I'm in the bathroom corridor. What else would I be doing?"His smirk widened. "Any number of things, actually. Maybe you left the party to please yourself somewhere private. Or maybe you got bored with all the congratulations and needed some fresh air. Or—" He let the sentence hang,

Matteo POV I watched Vincenzo cross the ballroom, his eyes still fixed on Isabella with that same calculated interest. Every muscle in my body tensed, the anger from our earlier confrontation mixing with a new surge of possessive fury.He had been alone with her. The timing was too perfect to be coincidence, Isabella disappearing, then reappearing moments before Vincenzo emerged from the same corridor. They had spoken, possibly more than spoken.What had he said to her? What had he tried?I pulled Isabella closer to my side, my hand tightening on her waist. She was mere breaths away from me now, close enough that I could smell her perfume, could feel the warmth of her body against mine. Safe. She was safe."Matteo?" Isabella's voice held concern. "Are you alright?""I'm fine. I just—"GBAH!!The gunshot cut through the music and conversation like a blade.For a split second, the entire ballroom froze. Then chaos erupted.More shots rang out, the sharp cracks echoing off the walls.