Isabella.
I lay motionlessly on my bed staring at the ceiling with Tears flowing down my face. My name is Isabella Cassano, and I am the only daughter of The Don of the Italian Famiglia. My father wasn't always like this. He was loving, caring, sweet and jovial. He would play with me and even help mum bake cookies, I used to look up to him, I wanted a love like theirs. He looked at my mum like the sun rose and set on her feet, but he just changed overnight. he stoped coming home like he used to. he started treating us like we were nothing, and he cut us off from every social activity we were involved in. He stopped me from going to school, and he was always paranoid about one thing or the other. He would yell at every single mistake, and he even fired most of our staffs. It was unbelievable how he changed for the worse. But I was okay as long as I had my mum, I never complained because she was there to comfort me, she was my everything. And mama Beth was also there for us, I had Luca too and Dante. My Father's behaviour didn't hurt much because I had these people in my life to help through all the storms and hurdles. I would catch mum crying in the corner most times, but she would wipe her tears and say... "Mama is happy as long as you're happy Isa." Now she's dead, and it's because of my father. Mama Beth too, she has been with us for a very long time, but he killed her without thinking back. I choked on a sob as the pain of their death hit me with full force I couldn't breathe, I dig my nails into my flesh not minding if it would leave a scar. To think my father killed my mother after treating her like trash. It's so laughable how he thinks she cheated on him when he was the only man she ever loved. If that had been the case, I wouldn't even blame her, because he was never ever there! He treated us like we were plagues, took away out resolves, didn't give us any space to breathe or to live. And he's not sure I am his daughter? That's a fucking joke Because even a blind man would see that I am his daughter. He can try to make himself feel better about the fact that he killed his own wife who did nothing but loved him, but it would never ever that he was a fucking murder and a coward. My heart clenches as I recall the face of my mother and how she'd talk about him with so much love and adoration all over her face. Her eyes would light whenever she tells me their love story, anytime i say something bad about him she would smile but she couldn't really hide the fact that his actions were eating her up. And he had the guts to shay she created?? Mother fucker!! I hear whimpers and look down to see max wagging his tail at me in a cute way, this makes me smile. "I am fine Maxy" "I am just thinking about stuff" He looks at me with sad eyes that tug at the strings of my heart, I chuckle bitterly as the tears keep flowing down my cheeks. This won't do, I need fresh air this room feels to small and suffocating. I rose from the bed and make towards the window, my eyes wander around until they come to settle on the garden. I grip the rails of the window as my legs buck together threatening to give me away, the sound of the gunshots still loud in my head. The way she has looked before she died, her eyes conveying the depths of her hatred and contempt for The don and his right hand man. I smile as her face comes to my mind, how she would always scold me for eating unhealthy foods, how she would keep beautiful flowers for me. She loves playing match maker for Luca and I, she would always tell me how much I look like my mum, how I would end up with the best man even though I doubted that myself. Tears gather around my eyes again as I thought of how I won't be seeing her around these gardens again, no more stories of her grandson, she wouldn't be here to scold me for being sneaky. This won't do, I can't stay in this room I need to breathe, I need these memories out of my head this room feels to small. I am suffocating here. I rush to my closet to find my black hood, and black sweat pants. I ransack my closet for the hood and sweats, "there you are" I mumbled dryly. Max paddles towards me as if he senses what I am about to do. "No max you can't come with me, I need to go alone." "You'd stay with Luca and be a good boy okay?" He wiggles his tail in agreement. I crouch down to rub the back of his ear, "good boy." I make my way outside my room in search of Luca. I didn't have to walk to much because luca is always around my room whenever I need to sneak out, it's at if he can sense it whenever I get the need to receive fresh air. "Bella." He says my name in the kind of tone that shows he doesn't agree with whatever I plan on doing. "Hi to you too Luca" I reply with a clipped smile, he narrows his eyes at me, he opens his mouth to say something but sighs instead. "What's wrong Bella?" He asks me with his tome laced with worry. "What? Me? Something is wrong? Nah... I am totally fine Luca I just need fresh air." " I am afraid I'll grow wrinkles if I stay in my room." He chuckles at my sorry attempt to make a joke. "You? Wrinkles? I don't think that'd ever happen Bella." "But you know I can't let you go out, your father would kill me if he found out." His tone turned serious this time. " I know Luca, but you cant change my mind." He stares at me hard before running a hand through his hair. " Alright Bella you win bug you have to be fast or I won't be responsible for what happens if you get caught. " I smile widely knowing fully well that Luca would piss his pants in worry if I got caught. "Thank you Luca, you're the best. " I hug him tightly, I feel him smile as he pets my back. "Alright Bella we need to move now." I realese him as he takes me to the back door where anyone rarely pass through, I look around to be sure that's all coast is clear. "You can go now Bella, no one's coming." I run out as fast as I could, I needed to get out of this mansion as quick as I can, I needed to breathe before I choke on the bitter aura that surrounds the house. I stopped running when I was sure I moved far from the mansion, sigh... I breathed out the breath I didn't even know I was holding. I walked aimlessly like a Zombie around the alleys of the dark streets, I looked around to be sure nobody was following me. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" "I hate youuuuuuu!!" I screamed on top of my voice as I released all the tears I've been holding since, no matter how hard I try I can't shake the feeling of betrayal away, I cant unsee what I've seen. I can't come to terms with the fact that my father is my mother's killer, my heart aches too much it's like it's going to explode. I feel like a thousand needles are piercing through me, it would have been better if I had been stabbed, but this pain is unbearable. I hate my father so much I want to inflict the same pain he has inflicted, I hate him so much I want to burn down his whole empire to the fucking ground. My ears stood up in alert as I hear footsteps approaching me, I quickly rise up to me feet's and make my way out of that alley. "My my who is this young lady?" A bulky looking man blocks my path, my pulse quickens in panic, I try to turn around only to be blocked by another bulky looking man. "Where do you think you're going bitch?" The other man spits out, I swallow the lump in my throat as I survey the alley for possible escape routes, damn my luck for running into these men. Already accepting the call that I might die here in the midst of two ugly looking bulky men, then I hear the deep rumble of a low voice. "Leave the lady alone."Isabella.I shuddered at the cool connectedness of the person's voice, and I looked from the corner of my eyes to see a figure looming in the shadows. "Who the hell is this punk?" Bulky number one said but the edge could be heard in his voice, wait! He was scared? I almost laughed at the possibility, but I must say the shadow guy's voice did give me the chills. Shadow guy walked towards us slowly. I could feel the strong and intimidating aura coming from him. who's this guy? Was he part of the Mafia? My heart quickened at the slight possibility of him being one of my father's men, but on the contrary None of his Men had this enigmatic personality. "I won't repeat myself again, leave. The. Lady. Alone." He said in a low and dangerous tone that terrified the living fuck out of me, I looked up to see bulky number one and bulky number two slowly withdrawing their hands away from me.You'd think they'd run with their tails in between their legs with how scared they looked, but they
Matteo."You helped someone that was about to be food for those gangsters?" "What's worse , this person was a fucking girl?" Rocco said with that stupid grin on his face, if he wasn't so important to me I'd have wiped that grin of his fucking face. I gave him a piercing glare, and that seemed to shut him the Fuck up. I get why he's making such a fuss about me helping a girl, that's because I am a selfish bastard and I don't give a flying fuck about anyone especially women.I only meet girls when I need to, nothing passes that except they want to die, so he's pretty knocked up that I'd stop to a help someone and a girl at that.There was something so soft and innocent about her that made me want to protect her. *Cazzo* (Fuck) did I just say that? Argh this is why you shouldn't go helping little girls who probably ran away from home.One minute you're playing hero and the next minute you can't seem to get them out of your fucking head. Make no mistake, I am not the hero of anybo
Isabella.I lay crawled up on the floor with tears flowing down my cheeks like nobody's business. I thought of all the times my father was actually a father to me and a husband to my mum. He would always play with me when he had the chance, and Uncle Valentino was always there to teach me about the mafia.Although papa didn't like that, i loved listening to him.I am sure he misses those days, and I never see him smile now, he's always grumpy and edgy. I am sure he isn't happy living this fucked up life where you either play or be played.I just let the tears flow, I didn't do anything to stop crying, I couldn't even stop even if I wanted to.The pain in my chest is so much I am surprised I haven't passed out. I lay there on the floor, crouched up like a ball and cried my eyes out.I let all the pain, fear, anxiety, sadness, everything fucking thing I've been feeling out. I know I am bawling like a newborn child, but who gives a shit? I am pretty sure the guards stationed outsi
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 f
Isabella.I've never been to this part of the basement before, and the surroundings kinda make my skin crawl.Sigh...It's honestly frustrating how I always have to be pushed around like some doll, why did I have to be born as a Mafia princess?I am just another piece in my father's game of chess and nothing more, just a tool to increase his power.I am not even sure if he ever loved my mum even once, oh well I would like to believe that he did at a point in his life.I looked around, which by the way was a useless thing to do, because everywhere was dark and I swear I can feel insects crawling on my skin.I want to scream, but I think I've lost my voice. I don't even have any more tears to cry, so I'll just wait here for my father to come do his worst.Little did I know that his worst would be what broke the camel's back.I woke up to the clanking sound of the basement door, I don't even know how or when I fell asleep."Bring her out." My father said with his voice laced with venom
Matteo.I am getting really impatient here, I've been sitting in the living room for a while now.Being around Vicenzo for this long is doing something gnawing on my sanity, and i am not sure how he is teaching his princess a lesson, but he better not leave a mark on what's mine.Rocco has been pacing for God knows how long since we've been asked to wait here and relax, how pathetic."Sir the Fuck down Rocco, or I'll sit you down by myself." He furrows his eyebrows before sitting down."You know for someone who claims to be colder than the north pole, you do say some weird shit." He wriggles his eyebrows at me in a suggestive way. " Shut the hell up and get your damn face away from me, before I smash it to the ground. "He mutters something under his breath, but I don't hear it and for his sake it's good that I didn't hear whatever the hell he said. "Matteo." I turn my head to see Vicenzo walking down the stairs with his little mafia princess.Something has changed, something is
Isabella.Go with me?What the hell is Luca talking about, Matteo doesn't look so pleased with this news."What did you just say?"Matteo asked Luca with an obvious edge to his voice, his grey eyes piercing into Luca's soul.Sheesh, this guy doesn't know how to have a simple conversation now does he?Surprisingly Luca stood his ground even though he was trembling a little."I've been asked by Valentino to accompany Isabella as her personal guard."Matteo stares down at Luca, he's so terrifyingly intimidating."Your master's mocking me or what?" Isabella doesn't need any damn personal guard when she has me."Red coated my cheeks, get yourself together Isabella, he doesn't give a fuck about you."Erm.. Luca is my friend, it would be good if he comes with me."I tried to reason with him, but he gave me a sharp look that suggested I stayed out of it.The last thing I want is some brooding hulk over me, I'll just stand here and let them work their stuff, even though I am the reason why the
Isabella. I sat stiffly in the large sitting room, my nails digging into my palm as I replayed Matteo’s words over and over again in my head. I told myself I wouldn’t let them get to me, but they had.The sting of his sharp tongue lingered, slicing deeper than any blade could, but I wouldn’t let him see how much it hurt.I drifted off to sleep, numbing the pain in my heart.The next morning I freshened up, and went out of my room to find Matteo, I need to speak to him about something.Thankfully he was in the dining drinking something that looked suspiciously like coffee."I want you to train me." Matteo looked up from his drink, his dark eyes narrowing in scrutiny. “Train you?”“Yes. In fighting, weaponry—everything.”He scoffed, shaking his head. “No.”I expected resistance, but I refused to back down. “I need to learn how to protect myself.”“You have me.”My jaw clenched. “I don’t want to rely on you, Matteo. I want to be able to stand on my own.”"And besides with you acting l
Isabella.We moved swiftly through the crowd. The men pursuing the boy had cornered him near the entrance, their faces dark with fury. One of them raised his hand, ready to strike.“Stop,” Matteo’s voice rang out, laced with authority.The men hesitated before turning to face him. Recognition dawned in their eyes, followed by fear. “Sir this boy is meant for the auction, somebody wants to buy him."“Not anymore,” Matteo said, stepping forward. “I want him."The men exchanged uneasy glances, weighing their options. "But sir, there was... No notification that he's yours."Matteo stepped closer to them, his eyes darkening."You have a problem with me taking him?"He quirked up a brow in question.No one dared to challenge him. They stepped aside, and the boy stumbled toward us, his face filled with confusion and hope.Matteo turned to me. “Let’s go.”I reached for the boy’s hand, offering him a small nod of reassurance. He flinched at first but then followed. We walked briskly to the ca
Isabella.I could still hear the hum of engines as Matteo’s car pulled into the long driveway. The estate before us was grand, bathed in the golden glow of chandeliers, but the sight that greeted me at the entrance sent a chill down my spine. Men in tailored suits, exuding an air of danger, mingled among themselves. Their laughter was low and knowing, their eyes scanning the room like predators choosing their prey.Matteo took my hand and led me inside, his grip firm. “Stay close,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. “Don’t wander.”I nodded, though my eyes couldn’t help but wander across the room. The auction had already begun. I watched as a young girl, no older than sixteen, was paraded on stage, trembling under the leering gazes of the bidders. My stomach twisted. This wasn’t just any gathering—it was a market for human lives.I knew the Mafia world was a cold and brutal one, I mean I have loved in it all my life, but I just didn't expect this level of brutality.I
Matteo.The moment I stepped into the shooting range, my blood turned to ice.Luca was standing behind Isabella, his hands on hers, guiding her grip on the gun. She was too close—closer than she had any right to be. And to make matters worse, Enzo was smirking like he was enjoying the damn show.Something dark and ugly coiled in my chest. Jealousy? No. It couldn’t be. I didn’t get jealous. Not over a woman. Not even over her.Yet, my fists clenched at my sides, and my vision blurred at the edges. She was mine. Whether she liked it or not, whether I liked it or not. And I sure as hell didn’t like seeing another man’s hands on what belonged to me.I didn't even know when I lashed out at her for letting Luca train her. My reason for saying lashing out was as ridiculous as me being jealous of the blond faced fucker.I'll have a chat with Enzo later for letting Luca near the training grounds.Isabella didn’t look intimidated. If anything, she looked annoyed. “What the hell is your problem
Isabella.I huffed as I pulled my hair into a tight ponytail, glaring at my reflection in the mirror. Training. Again. With Enzo. The only thing worse than Enzo’s cocky smirk was Matteo’s entire existence.Matteo.That insufferable, cold-hearted, arrogant bastard. If I had a dollar for every time his icy glare made my blood boil, I’d be rich enough to buy my way out of this mess. But no, I was stuck in his house, training with his men. Well because apparently I needed to get strong enough to face my Murder of a father, and his bat shit crazy empire. I shoved my feet into my boots and tightened the laces before strapping on my holster. I wasn’t new to guns. I secretly trained with Luca, when I had the chance to, and uncle Valentino used to help me when I was a kid, my mum would always tell at him for that. My heart aches at the memory that now seemed so distant in my heart. Anyways, I won't sukk over spilled milk. With one last glance in the mirror, I turned on my heel and storme
Matteo.Isabella.Her movements were sloppy, untrained. She threw herself between us, wielding a small dagger with shaking hands. Her attacks caught both me and the bastard off guard, but what the hell was she doing? The bastard hesitated, his eyes flickering to me, before smirking at her.Fuck!"Stay the hell away from him."Her voice was firm, but I could tell from her body language that she was scared.The fucker only smiled at her."Brave move sweetheart, I'll take you after killing him."Before he could launch an attack, a loud crash burst through the tension as Rocco and some of my men stormed in.I'll have a serious talk with them later, because where the hell were they? He took control, dragging the assailant to the ground and pinning him. The struggle was over before I could even process it. My breathing was heavy, my hands clenched into fists.I looked at Isabella. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, fear evident in her wide eyes. She had tried to help me. Despite knowi
Isabella. I sat stiffly in the large sitting room, my nails digging into my palm as I replayed Matteo’s words over and over again in my head. I told myself I wouldn’t let them get to me, but they had.The sting of his sharp tongue lingered, slicing deeper than any blade could, but I wouldn’t let him see how much it hurt.I drifted off to sleep, numbing the pain in my heart.The next morning I freshened up, and went out of my room to find Matteo, I need to speak to him about something.Thankfully he was in the dining drinking something that looked suspiciously like coffee."I want you to train me." Matteo looked up from his drink, his dark eyes narrowing in scrutiny. “Train you?”“Yes. In fighting, weaponry—everything.”He scoffed, shaking his head. “No.”I expected resistance, but I refused to back down. “I need to learn how to protect myself.”“You have me.”My jaw clenched. “I don’t want to rely on you, Matteo. I want to be able to stand on my own.”"And besides with you acting l
Isabella.Go with me?What the hell is Luca talking about, Matteo doesn't look so pleased with this news."What did you just say?"Matteo asked Luca with an obvious edge to his voice, his grey eyes piercing into Luca's soul.Sheesh, this guy doesn't know how to have a simple conversation now does he?Surprisingly Luca stood his ground even though he was trembling a little."I've been asked by Valentino to accompany Isabella as her personal guard."Matteo stares down at Luca, he's so terrifyingly intimidating."Your master's mocking me or what?" Isabella doesn't need any damn personal guard when she has me."Red coated my cheeks, get yourself together Isabella, he doesn't give a fuck about you."Erm.. Luca is my friend, it would be good if he comes with me."I tried to reason with him, but he gave me a sharp look that suggested I stayed out of it.The last thing I want is some brooding hulk over me, I'll just stand here and let them work their stuff, even though I am the reason why the
Matteo.I am getting really impatient here, I've been sitting in the living room for a while now.Being around Vicenzo for this long is doing something gnawing on my sanity, and i am not sure how he is teaching his princess a lesson, but he better not leave a mark on what's mine.Rocco has been pacing for God knows how long since we've been asked to wait here and relax, how pathetic."Sir the Fuck down Rocco, or I'll sit you down by myself." He furrows his eyebrows before sitting down."You know for someone who claims to be colder than the north pole, you do say some weird shit." He wriggles his eyebrows at me in a suggestive way. " Shut the hell up and get your damn face away from me, before I smash it to the ground. "He mutters something under his breath, but I don't hear it and for his sake it's good that I didn't hear whatever the hell he said. "Matteo." I turn my head to see Vicenzo walking down the stairs with his little mafia princess.Something has changed, something is
Isabella.I've never been to this part of the basement before, and the surroundings kinda make my skin crawl.Sigh...It's honestly frustrating how I always have to be pushed around like some doll, why did I have to be born as a Mafia princess?I am just another piece in my father's game of chess and nothing more, just a tool to increase his power.I am not even sure if he ever loved my mum even once, oh well I would like to believe that he did at a point in his life.I looked around, which by the way was a useless thing to do, because everywhere was dark and I swear I can feel insects crawling on my skin.I want to scream, but I think I've lost my voice. I don't even have any more tears to cry, so I'll just wait here for my father to come do his worst.Little did I know that his worst would be what broke the camel's back.I woke up to the clanking sound of the basement door, I don't even know how or when I fell asleep."Bring her out." My father said with his voice laced with venom