Chapter 7

ISADORA

Luca kept his promise. I started taking classes again, but turns out I had a lot of work and notes to catch up on.

I couldn’t hide the fact that I was engaged to Luca from Laura, especially when I’m followed by two bodyguards wherever I go.

Surprisingly, she took it better than I thought she would. It was a relief, honestly. But Luca’s been working late a lot lately, and I rarely see him anymore.

I’m not sure if I’m crazy, but I miss him. Every time we dined together, he’d ask about school, about how I was coping. I could see the bags under his eyes, the weight of everything pressing on him. He was stressed, a lot more than I think he let on.

It’s Sunday now, and I’m catching up on schoolwork. Luca’s library is well-equipped, and I’ve been spending most of my time here, trying to get through the backlog.

"Studying?" Rafael’s voice startled me.

"Yeah, I have a test next week," I stretched and turned to face him. He was holding a small box.

"For you," he said, handing it to me.

"What’s in it?"

"Luca said to give it to you. There's an event he wants you to join him for this evening."

I opened the box and found a dress and a pair of shoes.

"Oh," I paused, glancing at him. "Okay."

He nodded, turning to leave as I held the box, a mix of curiosity and nerves building inside me.

___________________

I stood there for a moment, staring at the dress and shoes. They were elegant, the kind of outfit I wouldn't have chosen for myself, but somehow I felt like Luca knew exactly what would suit me.

I couldn’t deny the unease bubbling up inside me. The thought of attending an event with Luca, his world, and all the power that came with it, made my heart race. What was this really about? Was this a public display, a show for the people around us? Or did Luca have something else in mind?

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being pulled deeper into his world, and as much as I tried to stay detached, I was already tangled up in it.

I took a deep breath and set the box aside. I had to get ready. Luca had made it clear that I wasn’t a prisoner, as long as I behaved. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I was walking a thin line. Between the power, the fear, and the unexpected connection I felt toward him, things were getting harder to navigate.

A part of me dreaded what was coming, yet another part was almost... excited. It was confusing. Maybe I was starting to care about him more than I wanted to admit.

I changed into the dress, it fit perfectly, as if it were made just for me. The shoes, though a bit high, made me feel taller, more confident—ready for whatever Luca had planned for tonight. I ran my fingers through my hair, unsure if I was ready for what was about to unfold.

As I walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but wonder if tonight would change everything. Would I learn something new about Luca? Or about myself?

______________________

LUCA

She came down the staircase looking every bit of the Angel she was. I stepped forward and helped her down the remaining stairs.

"You look beautiful" I gave her cheek a light peck

"Thank you" she blushed.

Her blush was a small victory in my eyes. It wasn't often I saw her shy like that, but I knew my words were genuine. She truly did look beautiful, radiating elegance and grace—everything that was so damn out of place in my world.

As we got into the limo, the tension in my chest tightened. Gabriel had pushed me into this. The whole world needed to know she was mine, and I was determined to make that clear, despite the turmoil it would bring her. She deserved better than all of this. But the public eye wouldn’t be as kind as I was to her.

She settled into her seat, her curiosity evident. "Where are we going?"

"A charity event," I said with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. It was far from a charity event. More like a battleground for egos and power plays. The Mafia dons and their entourages would be there, including all the people I needed to keep an eye on—people who either respected me or feared me.

"And my parents?" she asked, her voice quiet. I could see the unease in her eyes. Despite everything they had done, she still missed them.

"Yes, they’ll be there," I replied, forcing the words out. They didn’t deserve her love, but I knew she couldn’t shake it. She was too kind, too good. And that’s why I was hell-bent on keeping her away from all this.

As the limo rolled toward the venue, my thoughts returned to the Scorpions. Whoever they were, they were becoming a problem I couldn’t ignore. Stealing my shipments, messing with my territory—if they thought they could get away with it, they were about to be proven wrong. Tonight, I’d get closer to finding out who they were, no matter the cost.

When the car came to a stop, I opened the door for her, offering my hand. She took it without hesitation, trusting me, and I had to remind myself to keep my emotions in check. She had no idea what kind of storm was brewing behind the scenes. I couldn’t let her see how much it weighed on me.

“Ready?” I asked, my voice low, and she nodded, her expression a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty.

I led her inside, the atmosphere heavy with power, wealth, and hidden agendas. The event wasn’t what she thought it was—this was a place where alliances were forged, secrets exchanged, and power was shown in every handshake, every glance. But for now, I’d keep her safe from all that.

At least, I hoped I could.