11. Isabella
eleven
Isabella
It has been a week.
A week of being robbed from the life I made for myself.
A week of being back from the same life as the one I escaped from.
A week since Salvatore gave me the choice to marry him, or he would send me back to my father.
Well, I guess I chose in the end, but still, it was forced.
When my father killed my mother for trying to leave this life, I knew then I didn’t want that for myself. So, I need to swallow my pride and make a deal with Salvatore. Even if he took that privilege from me when I opened the door of his office and said no.
He wants this for a reason, and I will find out what that is. I can make this work in my favor.
That’s why I need to cooperate with Gabriel, who has made it his mission to organize our ceremony. I first told him I don’t care. That he can do whatever he wants, or the wedding planner he hired that I didn’t want to meet can deal with it.
And that’s the reason I stride down to his office, followed by a bulky man whose name I don’t know, who is obviously appointed to guard me. Since I wasn’t locked in the suite, I guess I’m not a prisoner, but still, I can’t run away. There is no use. He would find me.
I called the office and told them I’m working from home, knowing the man would follow me and I don’t want people asking questions. Questions I don’t have answers to.
I need to know what I got myself into.
I stride down the hallway. The one I sneaked down that night when I first fell into his clutches. I guess I underestimated him. I should have listened to my boss and left the story alone. But I’m too stubborn for that.
Without knocking, I burst into his office. The scene in front of me doesn’t surprise me. After all, most men are the same.
The blond, the same woman from the dinner at the club, is behind him. What looks like a shoulder massage is much more. She has her hand deep inside his open shirt. One of her hands explores his front, the other hand on his back, her fake tits on display.
I slam the door behind me with a bang before Salvatore can bark at my guard to escort me out.
I straighten my shoulders and clench my fist, and with a sway of my hips, I walk slowly toward him, never taking my eyes from him. Even if they aren’t fucking, I know this is foreplay. I didn’t expect him to be faithful. No mafia man is. But it angers me, makes my skin tingle. I don’t get why. The woman doesn’t stop for a second, her sole focus on Salvatore.
Great.
“We need to talk,” I say, taking a seat on the couch.
“About?” he asks, unbothered that I interrupted him.
“There are a few things I need to discuss.”
He raises his eyebrows. “I’m listening.”
“Alone,” I say firmly, looking from him to the woman.
He looks at me for a few seconds before turning to the woman. “Leave us.”
And she does, no questions asked. She parades herself and walks past me, giving me a piercing stare and a sneer. I ignore the fire in my stomach and focus on Salvatore.
After she closes the door behind her, he leans back in his chair, his eyes on me the whole time.
“What do you want to discuss?”
Now is the time. Time to negotiate for my life. If I can’t escape this, I will make it work, but on my conditions. I will ignore the flutter in my belly every time I’m near him, and the tingling of my skin. Even the anger that crawls inside me because a woman touched him.
“You are a very difficult man to find any kind of dirt about, and by that, I mean you as the don. As a businessman, the CEO of the Lotus Group, you give to the world only what you want them to know.” I shake my head, folding my hands in front of me. “I have asked people, used every favor I could to find dirt about you, and all I found was some angry journalist’s blog. And he refused to answer my questions.” I unfold my hands and lean forward. “Not even an affair, or a scandal. After what I just saw, it makes sense. I’m guessing she’s sucking your dick too. It’s convenient, especially when she’s working for you. But do you want to know one thing that I learned about you?” I look him in the eyes for the first time since I entered. There’s a bemused look on his face.
He raises his eyebrows. “I’m guessing you’re going to tell me.”
I chuckle. “You are very tactical, man. You don’t do a thing without consideration. You are not hotheaded. And that’s why I know you need me for something, and not Isabel Roberts, but Isabella Ruggeri. Tell me I’m wrong.”
His lips twitch, his gaze analyzing me. For a moment, all I hear is the thumping of my heart.
“Where are you going with this?” he asks, not bothering to answer my question.
I stand and walk toward the liquor table in the corner of the room. From the corner of my eye, I can see Salvatore observing me, probably trying to figure out what I want. He didn’t even bother to button his shirt back up. I pour us both drinks then pass him his, and he takes it. I lean my butt on the table in front of him. Two inches to the right and I could be between his legs.
I swallow before chasing those thoughts out of my head.
I cradle the drink near my chest, my focus on the wall before me. “You need an alliance with my father and you’re going to use me for that. The question is why?” I turn my head and look in his bemused blue eyes. “And before you deny it, I will tell you I know the game. I know how this works. That is the reason I ran away.” I take a sip of the strong drink that slips down my throat, burning it. “Since I don’t want you to send me back to my father, I’m going to need to make a deal with you. I want in on whatever your plans are. I want to know what you’re using me for.”
He chuckles and raises his eyebrows. “And why would I do that? I already have you here. I offered you your terms, and due to your lack of decision, you are now playing under my terms.”
My courage raises a notch and the speech I practiced before I came is mixed with emotions I didn’t expect.
“You know what will get you out in the spotlight? An unwilling bride. I could start yelling and saying I don’t want this. I will make noise and bring attention to me, and you couldn’t use me. You would lose.”
“Maybe. But why would I care? I could just send you back to your father instead.” He smirks.
I lean toward him a little, trapped in his look. “No, you won’t. You get more from me being your wife. So, I suggest we work together. I will be a willing bride, be your wife until you get what you want from my father.” I pause. Am I getting ahead of myself by blurting everything out? I ignore that voice and go on. “However, I want a few things in return. Including the whole truth of what is happening.”
He takes a sip of his drink; the tip of his tongue darts out a little and wets his lips. My head spins with the thought of all the things his tongue could do, and I swallow hard when his voice cuts in.
“What else?” Those blue eyes are now shining with challenge, and it takes me a few seconds before I can collect myself to speak.
“First, I want this to have a deadline. Like one, two, three years? How many do you think you need? Second, I need your protection from my father, even when this is over. Third, I keep working. I invested too much into my career to leave it. And fourth, this marriage will be on paper only.”
As the seconds stretch by, my mind races with possible outcomes. The tension between us is unbearable. Salvatore’s gaze is fixed on me, sending a shiver down my spine. In an attempt to avoid his gaze, my eyes fall to his chest where his tattoo is peaking from beneath his open shirt. I curse myself. Now I want to tear his shirt open to see what’s hiding underneath.
“A deadline I can work with. Let’s say, three years. People need to think we tried. As for protection, you will be protected always and not just from your father. I’ll give you my ultimate protection. Work, as long as you keep your nose out of my business, we don’t have a problem. There are always dirty politicians you can go after. And that leads us to your last request.” He downs his drink, slamming the glass on the table, making me startle.
He stands, and in seconds, I’m caged between his arms. Salvatore leans into my personal space. His body radiates with heat. “I can’t agree on your last request.” He takes my chin between his fingers. “I wanted to fuck you the night I found you snooping in this office. Since the moment I stripped you on this desk.” He leans forward, his lips almost touching mine, the darkness of his eyes penetrating deep into my soul as his breath mingles with mine. “Don’t deny the attraction between us. I can feel it, and from the way you’re trembling beneath me, I know you feel it too.”
I quiver under him, but I grit my teeth and ignore my body’s reaction. Even though all I want is to tremble under this man’s touch so I can surrender to him. But he is the wrong kind of man.
This is making everything too complicated. I made my promise; it is the least I can do for the woman who lost her life to protect me.
I lose connection with the present and memories haunt me as I battle the attraction I feel toward Salvatore.
“Where are we going?” I ask my mother as she packs our bags. Only essentials, she said.
“Somewhere where you will have a better future and a choice.” She folds the few things she pulled from the closet.
“I don’t understand.” I follow her around the room as she makes sure everything is in its place.
She turns to me and takes my hand in hers. “Bella, I want you to marry a man you will love and have kids with him. I want you to know what love is. And it is beautiful. And you’ll never get that with a man like Federico.” She takes my head in her hands, cradling my cheeks. Her eyes fill with tears. “I saw the way he looks at you. He just sees you as a bargaining chip to get what he wants. And you, my love, deserve so much more.” She wipes her tears and straightens. “I loved your father so much I would have done anything for him, but with you, I drew the line. I will take you to a place where you will be safe. We will start a new life. But you need to promise me if anything happens to me, you will find your way to Maria and when you do, she will know what to do. Promise me you will give yourself only to the man you love and marry.”
“I promise.”
“Admit it, Bella.” I snap back from the memory, my eyes focusing on his lips. “You want me to touch you and let my fingers explore your skin until you are falling apart underneath me.”
I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes. My wobbly legs are lucky I’m sitting on his desk. My body and my mind are not in agreement about this situation. My body wants all the things he said, and my mind keeps reminding me about all the reasons this can’t happen. About the promise I gave to my mother before she died.
But I can’t tell him the whole truth, so I go with a part of it.
“I can’t sleep with you because I made a promise I will only ever give myself to a man that I love. The man I plan to build my future with. You are not that man. You and I have an expiry date.” He narrows his eyes at me. I put my finger on his lips, not letting him speak. “We made a deal. I will keep my promise and you will respect it.”
His eyes penetrate mine with lust and promises.
Lust. Something my mother always said to choose love over lust.
He takes my hand from his mouth, entwining our fingers. “In less than two weeks, I will be your husband. Our marriage should be consummated.”
“It doesn’t matter. We have a deadline. We have different views on what this is, and what actual marriage is, Salvatore.” I pinch my brows together, exhaling. “I want family, a husband who will love me and not cheat on me, one who will give me children and a home. You are not that person. You are a thirty-four-year-old bachelor, the don of La Cosa Nostra, the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company, who is never seen with the same woman twice. Who said to the public that procreating isn’t something worth your time and you think of a marriage as nothing more than a useful piece of paper for financial benefits. We will never work.” By the time I’ve spewed all that out, I’m breathless.
He lets go of my chin and retreats a few inches, an amused smirk on his face. “Is that what you found out about me?”
“Yes. Those were your words, Salvatore. You said them.”
He looks behind me in the distance, like he’s remembering something.
“Yes, I said all that. In my defense, I was going through a rough time. I said all that not thinking about consequences.”
I stay silent and bite on my lower lip. His eyes are filled with new determination when they find mine again. “How about a compromise? I’ll fill you in with details and tell you why I need an alliance with your father, and I will not ask you the reason for your identity change. In exchange, we try to make the best of our time as a married couple.” He steps away from me and pours himself a drink. “And, Bella, I will be your husband, therefore, you will sleep in my bed with me.” He turns, his sharp gaze filled with hunger and assurance, lust and promise. “I will not touch you unless you ask me to. But make no mistake.” The roughness in his voice sends tremors through me. “You will ask me to touch you, and when you do, you will beg me, and then you will beg me for more.” He takes a step toward me and my back tenses. “You will squirm underneath me and scream my name. After that, there will be no way out. I will use you whenever, however I want. You will be mine. Mine to use, and mine to fuck.”