Xander's POV Bella quickly moved her gaze to the floor as if she was trying to hide the fact that she was crying from me. I looked at her for god knows how long, as her gaze hovered over the floor. Seeing her like this made my heart break and I didn't know what to do to make it all better. What she had been through must have been so traumatic for her. '' Isabella,'' My voice came out just as a whisper as I could not control my emotions seeing her like that. '' Draco, you wanted to see me,'' Isabella let out and I nodded. '' Please sit,'' I let out, but Isabella shook her head. '' No, I prefer to stand, if you don't mind,'' Isabella said whilst still avoiding my gaze, and trust me, I hated it. '' Bella stop all this and just sit, I need to talk to you,'' I stated, but Isabella shook her head, still refusing. '' At least look at me,'' I let out and that was when she slowly lifted her head, meeting my gaze. Her eyes held something I had never seen before. ''a newfound pain that
Isabella's POVI was shivering, I couldn't stop my mind from racing, everything that happened had gotten me so on edge.When Xander brought me back, I couldn't be more grateful, but all I wanted to do now was leave. I had to leave this place for a place where I could be far away from all this violence.I didn't want to cry, but when I got to my room, I collapsed on my bed, and I couldn't help but let the tears flow.I cried my eyes out for hours on end. I wanted to stop, but no matter how I tried, the tears just wouldn't go away.Xander soon called on me. I didn't want to go, but I decided that it was better if I went. He saved my life anyway.But trust me, it soon became a bad idea.He just told me that I had to go with him to a safe house after I told him that I wanted to leave.'' Oh, what was I even thinking? that the Draco would let me go just like that, that Xander would freely relinquish the hold he has on me?'' I said to myself.I still tried to put up a fight though, but all
Isabella's POVI couldn't sleep all night, and when I finally did, I had nightmares. My dreams were filled with images of Javier and the traumatic experience I had when he took me. Even in my sleep, I could still feel the cold hard end of Javier's gun on my head.The nightmare invaded my dreams, and I could barely sleep for an hour straight, and thankfully by the time I woke up, it was already morning.Somehow, I have gotten used to waking up in Xander's old house, so waking up here kind of felt strange.Tossing and turning, I got off the bed, and I walked over to the window, looking outside, and we were in the middle of nowhere. I could only see trees and bushes, no sign of life anywhere, except for us.Breathing out heavily, I hoped that these tall trees would keep us hidden from Javier.I stood there staring outside, for god knows how long because there was something peaceful about looking at the trees. But I was soon broken out of my peaceful state when I felt somebody touch my sh
Xander's POV The next morning at the safe house was bleak. I had so many things on my mind and I didn't know how to get rid of any of them.Javier had become a thorn in my flesh, and I didn't know how to stop him. I thought I had him under control, but the more I attacked him the more he came back stronger. He was like a damn cockroach that just wouldn't die.But I can not give up, I have to do everything in my power to end this. I had to put Javier in place because if I didn't, I might lose my credibility as the Draco of this city.I was in my office, trying to think of a plan when Xavier walked in.'' Cousin, I need to talk to you,'' Xavier let out.'' And why is that,'' I asked.'' We are here now, your wedding with Ruby didn't take place anymore, and Isabella is still here.'' Xavier let out.'' Xavier, what are you going on about,'' I asked, as I was getting tired of all his rumbling on.'' What I am trying to say is that I want my job back, I want to be working on the books agai
Isabella's POVI had the same nightmare again when I unknowingly fell asleep on Xander's shoulder.Xander looked at me with so much concern in his eyes, that I didn't know when I rushed into his arms, taking comfort in his arms.He helped me up to my room, but he wanted to know more about what my dream was all about. But I felt so embarrassed that I couldn't tell him.When he was gone, I was so restless that I could hardly sleep.So I was up all night again, allowing my thoughts to race so profusely in my mind.In the middle of the night, I heard my room door open.I thought it was Xander, so I didn't turn around to see who it was.But when a hand slid around me, that was when I knew for sure that it wasn't Xander. Somehow, I was disappointed.'' Where have you been Manny,'' I whispered, asking.'' I thought you were asleep,'' He answered.'' Well, I am awake,'' I said.'' I had to run errands for Agustín, didn't Xander tell you?'' Manny let out.'' He did, but I never thought it woul
Isabella's POV'' Why did you do that,'' I turned to Mary as we both walked into my room together.'' I don't think I know what you are talking about,'' Mary rolled her eyes, as she walked into my wardrobe, bringing out some clothes.'' What are you doing,'' I asked.'' Get you some comfortable clothes to wear,'' Mary answered.'' And why is that,'' I asked and Mary rolled her eyes.'' Didn't you hear when the Draco said that he wanted to take you somewhere,'' Mary let out and I hissed as I walked over to the bed.'' And what is this all about,'' Mary asked.'' I do not appreciate you making decisions for me. What if I didn't want to go,'' I let out and Mary chuckled.'' Trust me, it was all in your eyes, you wanted to go with him,'' Mary said.'' That is not true, I wanted to decline,'' I argued, and Mary laughed even more as if my words were mere amusement to her.'' Okay, I am sorry for deciding for you, but you wanted to go with him, you were not just brave enough to say it to his
Isabella's POV''What?'' I yelled.'' You heard me right, this gun is yours and I am going to teach you how to shoot it,'' Xander said, effortlessly.'' You have gone mad, yes that is what is happening here, ''madness'', and I will not be a party to any of it,'' I yelled as I tried to leave, but one of his men stopped me.'' Bella just listen,'' Xander let out softly.'' No... Never, I will not listen to you, this crazy, is this why you brought me here, to do this?'' I yelled.'' What is so wrong with learning how to shoot,'' Xander asked, and I scoffed.'' Everything. Everything is wrong with it. You know not all of us are big bad wolves just like yourself,'' I let out and Xander's face fell into a frown as he just looked at me.'' I don't want to know how to shoot, I don't want to be sucked into your world of violence. So please can you tell your men to take me back home, and you know what, thank you for wasting my time.'' I let out again as I turned my back about to leave.'' Do yo
Isabella's POV When we got back home it was already late in the night, and when the car stopped at the front of the house, Xander came down and helped me out of the car as always. '' Thank you,'' I let out as we walked into the house. The house was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. I was about to walk up to my room when Xander stopped me. '' Bella,'' He called out to me, so I turned around and walked back to him. '' Here,'' He said, handing me the box with the gun inside. '' Keep it, it is yourself anyways,'' Xander said and I nodded. '' Are you going to continue teaching me,'' I asked, and Xander nodded. '' Of course, we can practise whenever you want,'' Xander answered and I smiled. I know I was adamant at first about learning how to shoot, but I was beginning to like it. '' Sleep well Bella, good night,'' Xander said as he turned around about to walk away. '' Thank you for today,'' I let out, stopping him in his tracks. '' You do not need to thank you, I did what
Isabella's POVI never believed that saying about your life flashing before your eyes when you're about to die. It always seemed cliché and stupid. But everything changed when I stood face-to-face with death, and my life replayed before me, both the good and the bad.---One Month LaterXander Diaz, known as "the Draco," was killed in a shoot-out with the police. The most dangerous man in the city was gunned down. There has been no statement from his family, and the police urged citizens to celebrate this victory, claiming peace had been restored."The chief of police assures us that the Draco will no longer wreak havoc in our city. We now head to the cemetery where the notorious mafia king is being laid to rest," the reporter said before the TV went black."Hey, I was watching that," I yelled, turning to see Xander holding the remote, and smiling."Aren't you tired of watching the news about my death? That's all they talk about these days. I didn't know I was this important," Xander
Isabella's POV:Three weeks had passed in the blink of an eye. Here we remained, entrenched in the safety of our secluded hideout, while Xander and Javier meticulously plotted their next move against Xavier. Despite the passage of time, my unease around Javier persisted like a stubborn shadow, casting doubt upon every whispered plan and stolen moment of respite.Xander and I got back together like the separation had never happened. Yet beneath the veneer of our rekindled love lay a constant churn of uncertainty. Thoughts of Judith, and the callous manner in which Xavier had snatched her away from me, haunted my every waking moment like a relentless specter."Thinking won't change a thing, you know that right," Xander's voice broke through the suffocating silence, pulling me back from the brink of my spiraling thoughts."What's on your mind?" he inquired, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine as his lips brushed against mine in a tender caress."Judith," I confessed, my voice b
Isabella's POV It felt like we were trapped between the devil and the deep blue sea, caught in a vortex of danger with no escape in sight. Xavier's relentless pursuit loomed over us like a shadow, while the sudden appearance of Javier, Xander's longtime enemy, only added to our peril. "We're done for now. I don't think we'll ever get out of this alive. If Xavier doesn't get to us, Javier will," I murmured, my voice laced with resignation as I scanned the bleak horizon. As I braced myself for the worst, I closed my eyes, steeling myself for the inevitable confrontation with either of them. But his unexpected offer of salvation shattered the silence, his words cutting through the suffocating tension like a ray of hope. "Get in if you want to live. You can't outrun them," Javier's voice broke through the chaos, his tone surprisingly sincere. Doubt gnawed at my insides as I grappled with the sudden turn of events. "Was Javier actually trying to save us?" "No, this must be a trick, a
Isabella's POV"I didn't stutter. Did I? Marry me, and I'll be your saviour," Xavier's voice oozed with a sinister charm that made my skin crawl. Each syllable felt like a dagger aimed straight at my heart."How can you even ask that? Why would I marry you, Xavier, when it's clear you hold nothing but disdain for me?" My voice quivered with a mix of fear and defiance, unable to hide the loathing simmering beneath the surface."I don't despise you. You're merely a pawn in this twisted game," Xavier's words slithered out, his gaze piercing through me as he closed the distance between us. "Marry me, and I'll bestow upon you a life beyond your wildest dreams.""What about Ruby? You made promises to her too," I challenged, my voice trembling with the weight of betrayal and hurt."Ruby was a foolish distraction. It was never my intention to marry her. Say yes, and you'll stand by my side as the Draco's queen," he urged, his smile sending shivers down my spine as his finger brushed against m
Xander's POVHearing the gunshots, I swiftly turned around, my gun clenched tightly in my hands, ready to defend myself and my men. To my dismay, I found them sprawled on the ground, incapacitated, while Xavier stood tall beside them, a smirk of satisfaction etched on his face.The revelation shook me to my core. My own cousin, the perpetrator of such a betrayal? I had spared his life once; was this the gratitude I received in return?"Hi, Cousin. It seems you've decided to join us. I was anticipating your arrival," Xavier greeted, his voice dripping with malice as he surveyed the chaos he had orchestrated."Xavier, damn you! So, it was you all along. How could you sink so low?" I exclaimed, a mixture of shock and rage coursing through me as I leveled my gun at him. But Xavier's response was a mocking laugh, his eyes gleaming with a dark amusement."Oh, dear cousin, you've yet to fathom the depths to which I can sink," he taunted, his smirk widening into a sinister grin. I prepared to
Xander's POV"What do you mean she's been taken?" I roared, my anger surging like a tidal wave, crashing against the shores of my composure."I'm sorry, boss. I was knocked out cold, and when I came to, she and her guardian were gone. I went back to their house, but it was empty. I fear the worst, Draco," the man confessed, his voice trembling with fear, his eyes darting nervously around the room as if expecting my wrath to materialize into physical force."How dare you return with such news!" I bellowed, the force of my voice reverberating off the walls like thunder. I seized a glass from the table, hurling it against the wall behind him. It shattered into a thousand glittering fragments, mirroring the shattered pieces of my control. He cowered before me, his knees shaking in terror, a stark contrast to the facade of toughness he usually wore."I-I'm sorry, boss," he stammered, his fear palpable, his hands trembling as he struggled to maintain his composure in the face of my rage."W
Xander's POV Days turned into months, each one a relentless reminder of Bella's absence. The gaping void she left behind refused to be filled, a constant ache in my chest that I couldn't shake. I understood why she had to leave, though. Agustin's actions were a stain on our family name, an unforgivable betrayal that tainted everything it touched. But despite the pain, a flicker of hope lingered in the depths of my heart, a desperate wish that Bella could find it in herself to forgive me for the sins of my father. "Son, stop torturing yourself over her. It's better this way," Agustin's voice grated on my nerves, each word a reminder of his role in driving her away. "Why are you still here? Didn't I ask you to leave?" I snapped, frustration boiling over. "Xander, you're my son. I can't just abandon you in your time of need," he replied, his tone almost pleading. "This man is pushing me to my limits," I muttered under my breath. "Look, Agustin, I don't want you around. You've caused
Isabella's POV Many months slowly passed by, and I gradually settled in my hometown.I still thought of Xander, because his ring reminded me of him. I knew I couldn't forget him even if I tried, so I stopped forcing myself to.I frequently visited my father's grave, as being with him greatly helped me.So today, I wanted to visit him as well.'' Judith, I am going to see my father,'' I said, and she nodded.'' Alright, why don't I come with you today? Judith suggested, and I looked at her surprised because she never wanted to come with me in the past.'' Don't look at me like that, I just want to go with you.'' she rolled her eyes.''I know you always want to be alone with him, but I would like to come and pay my respect as well.'' Judith let out.'' Are you sure?'' I asked, and she rolled her eyes yet again.'' I am an old woman, don't you think by now I would be sure of what I want to do,'' she replied.'' Okay, that will not be a problem. I would be happy if you came,'' I smiled a
Isabella's POVI got back to my hometown and everything still felt the same, even the air had the same feeling that it had before.The memories of why I left came flooding but, the demons I was running away from were still lurking at every corner.But not everything remained the same. The guilt I had about my father's death was all gone now that I knew who truly took him from me.I hated Agustin with all of my heart, how I wish I could put a bullet in his head.'' So why didn't you? Because no one would blame you if you did, not ever Xander,'' the voices in my head said to me.''No, even though I wanted so badly to end his life just like he ended my dad's life, I couldn't do it, because it would make me just as guilty as him,'' I said to the voices as I dismissed that thought immediately.Getting out of the airport, I took a taxi to Judith's house.A lot of emotion took over me as the car stopped in front of her house. I got down and walked to her front porch, taking in a deep breath,