Chapter Six

Isabella.

I stood rooted in my spot as my father's voice echoed around the hall.

I couldn't breathe, and i couldn't move, I just stood there motionless, staring at my father.

My brain was having a hard time processing what he just said, marriage? And to who, the worlds most famous assassin?

Dis my worst nightmare just happen right before my eyes?

I blinked several times, to get my head straight, and I still couldn't process what the hell just happened.

The room suddenly felt so tight and suffocating.

I felt a sharp pain in my head, I think i am gonna be sick.

Is this his way of punishing me?

My father's voice snapped me back to reality.

"This gathering is not just a get together, but to also celebrate the exchange between two formidable mafia forces."

My eyes jerked up to meet my father's eyes, exchange?

Don't tell me...

Is that all I am to him? Just an exchange?

Did my father sells me off?

I needed to breathe.

It was all too much to take.

"Let's raise a glass to new alliances."

My father said with an edge to his voice.

My eyes darted around the cheering cloud, until they met with a pair of piercing grey eyes.

Matteo stared deep into my soul, and that made me uncomfortable as fuck.

He tilted his chin to my feet, and I looked down to see that my purse was still on the floor.

I quickly picked it up, before looking back up at him with a glare, he just smirked at me, and boy did that make me more furious.

I looked around to see that some people congratulating my father.

"Are you okay Bella?"

I jerked at the sound of a voice behind me.

I turned around to see that it was just Luca.

"Hi Luca."

"I am fine."

He looked at m with concern in his eyes, i hate that look.

"Wanna get some air?"

Before I can even mutter up an answer, uncle Valentino walks towards us with another of my father's Guards.

"Your father wants you in the bar area Bella."

I heaved a heavy sigh, Luca looks at me with concern and pity.

I know he's silently asking if I am okay to go alone, but i want to understand what the hell my father is up to.

I give him a reassuring nod before turning to go with uncle Valentino.

I force a smile on my face as I walk past the many guest, some look at me with disdain, others look at me with what seems to me like amusement.

But I don't give a flying fuck what the think about me right now.

We stop at the place where my father and his counterparts are, and Matteo is there too, although he looks like he'd rather be anywhere but here.

My father turns to look at me, at God he looks like a proud father right now, I clench my fist to keep my anger at bay.

"I am sure you've heard of Matteo."

"I am also sure you heard the announcement, you'll be Getting married to him."

I scoff at how easily he says it.

"Just like that?"

I ignore the look of disapproval on everyone's faces, i glare at my father.

"What? You're just gonna marry me off to someone I don't even know?"

"Without my approval?"

My father gave me a sharp look that said *drop the act or you'll pay*, but I don't care, he couldn't do this to me.

"You can't marry me off!"

I was so close to breaking down in front of everybody, but I wouldn't give them the pleasure of seeing me cry.

I wouldn't let them my weaknesses, especially not Matteo who has an amused look on his face.

My father dropped his drin, before facing me fully.

"I can do anything Bella."

"You have no choice, the exchange has been made."

"You either quietly go with what you're supposed to or be published."

I cant believe what I am hearing.

"I've told you, I won't let anyone disrespect me and my empire."

"You already belong to Matteo wether you like it or not, you've been given to him and there's nothing you can fucking do about it."

I chuckled dryly.

"Given to him? That's all I am worth to you?"

The tears are threatening to fall from my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall.

"You're just gonna sell me off to a ruthless assassin?"

"And for what? Money? Power?"

"Is that all I am fucking worth to you?"

I couldn't believe it, my father would actually sell me off to someone I don't fucking know.

Someone that has a track record of being ruthless and heartless.

"I won't agree to this."

I looked up at him with determination in my eyes.

The crowd has already began to whisper to themselves, but I couldn't care less.

My father's colleagues looked at me like I was a fucking disappointment.

"You should teach your daughter a lesson Vince."

"The little bitch needs to know her place."

Before I can say something in response, Matteo speaks up.

"I don't appreciate you calling my wife a bitch, Salvatore."

His voice so icy that I almost froze.

He turns to look at me, but diverts his gaze before looking at my father who was seething in rage.

"I dont quite like the mess my little bride has made."

His jaws tick as he says every word.

If he's angry he doesn't show it.

I gladw hard at him, my father looks down at me with an icy glare.

"You crossed the line Bella, you'll be punished for this."

"I warned you not to make a scene didn't I?"

I sawllow hard at the possibility of what is to come.

"Tsk tsk."

"Seems like you can't control your daughter Vincenzo."

What the fuck is this guy trying to do?

My father grita his jaw, before motioning to his guards.

I take a step back as they come towards me.

"What are you doing?"

I hate how scared I sound, but what did I except? Cookies and smoothies?

My father gives me one last galre before barking out instructions to his guards.

"Take her to my study, keep her there until I come back."

My father says before turning to his guest.

"You can't do this to me, I am your daughter for God's sake."

I call out to him but he ignores me completely, the party continues like nothing just happened.

I trash and kick, but it's futile against two big men.

My eyes meet with Matteo's before I completely dissapear from the hall, his eyes holds no emotion, but they stare deep into my soul.

I look away to prevent him from seeing the tears that has already began to fall.

I'll never succumb to my father's will, I'll rather die than get married to any body from the damn mafia!

My tears fall freely as I remember my the words of my mother before she died.

**********

She would smile at me, as she gently brushed my hair.

"You're a strong girl Bella, never forget that."

"Always hold on to your will."

she would always say that with a beautiful smile on her face.

I'll never let him win even if I have fight till my last breath.

"Where's that little bitch!"

my eyes widened at the sound of his voice...