Damon"Why?" I asked Julio over the phone as he told me about his plan to have Isabella meet with those he had called before. He explained his reasoning, stating reasonable points that I refused to acknowledge."I don't care about that. It's too much of a risk, and I'm not letting Isabella out of my sight," I practically shouted into the phone, making Miguel beside me flinch in surprise."Perhaps if you could be there with her," Julio said. While his new proposition made sense, I wanted to have Isabella to myself the next day, possibly the day after. I rubbed my eyes, feeling the frustration and exhaustion take over before snapping out of the slight lapse in time."But what if—" I began, but he cut me off. "There's no 'what if.' I'm not letting her out of my sight. She's not going anywhere tomorrow. Figure out a way to postpone, or maybe, if I'm in a bad mood, she won't go out anyway." I hung up the call and waited for us to arrive at our destination.We were at the home of a man call
DamonHe asked, squinting his green eyes at me. I smiled in response, causing him to raise his eyebrows. His face suddenly changed from slightly playful to serious."I don't know if I can do that. I don't know if they will allow an outsider to sit as a Lord," he said."The Masked King is an outsider," I reminded him of my status. "In fact, if I remember correctly, what caused Martinez his life was calling the Masked King a nameless outsider.""Yes," Nicholas said, "but you see the big difference between me and him? He is one of you. I am as foreign as they get. I still fumble occasionally. It's hard for me to do a lot of things. Frank is like you," I said, reminding him of his friend."Let me find Frank first," he proposed. "If I find Frank, I can do it anonymously. If I join the Six Lords and try to find Frank, all of them would know, and they might hide him even more."I rubbed my chin, seeing the reason in his proposition. "And soon, you'll join the council," I said, lowering my fa
Isabella"I hope this is not a bad time. I can call back later," Andrew rushed to say."No," I said, shaking my head. "It's fine. Please, tell me what it is." I said as I watched Damon get up from my chest and begin pacing the room. "The person I told you about... the potential ally," Andrew said. "He said he's ready for a meeting. When shall I deliver this news?"My eyes moved over to Damon before I spoke, and this time, my voice had changed. "Is everything alright?" Andrew asked. "If this is a bad time, I can call back later... it's fine. Please, continue," I urged him to speak.Damon, who stood in front of me, was still pacing as though he was trying to keep something in."When will you be available for a meeting?" Andrew asked. I turned back to Damon and tried to catch his eyes. I mouthed at him for when would be most suitable for a meeting, but he just looked at me and then picked up the phone from my ear."Andrew," Damon started in a low, threatening voice that made me realize h
IsabellaShe tore through my wardrobe with a speed I didn't know she had, flipping through each hanger until she settled on something.After that, it was shoes, and then accessories. Once she was armed, she pushed me into the bathroom and yelled, “Five minutes!” as she slammed the door.I spent more than five minutes. My movements were slow, dull, and delayed. I was sore to the point where it was hard to lift my legs. But I was in a blissful state, so I couldn't complain.Paula's hands were on her hips as she glared at me when I came out of the bathroom."I'm sorry. I'm so sore," I told her in my defense as she grabbed my arm."Michael just called me. He said they're on their way already! They'll be here in at least 30 minutes. We don't have that time," she said hurriedly.She hurriedly toweled me dry and then set me on the vanity where she applied minimal makeup and styled my hair again. By the time we were done with my hair, Marie poked her blonde head inside the room and flashed a
Isabella "I suppose you're wondering what your fate is," I turned to Andrew, who simply nodded his head. "The mafia King made some moves yesterday unknown to me. I believe this stands to reason that the lower houses don't have a place at the table.” Andrew looked as though the world was crashing down on him. “But not to worry, I convinced them otherwise. Valentino is a strange factor," I said as we moved further away from the gazebo. “Them?” He asked. “Yes. The mafia King and my advisor.” I replied. We spent a moment walking in silence, enjoying the warm rays the sun cast until I remembered something. "I'm sure you must have heard of how the mafia King burnt down some of his businesses in Rome." Andrew suddenly stopped and nodded his head. "Yes, I heard of it. But I'm afraid I'm not conversant with your story. I heard it was a rival gang along with some close to him that staged an uprising against him." It was my turn to stop. I raised my eyes to look at Andrew, who stood not s
Damon Earlier that morning Leaving Isabella alone almost caused me physical pain, but I needed to work. Andrew had sent me a message when I woke up that he would like to get the meeting over with as early as possible. "Talk to me," I said into the phone after dialing his number. "I have my friend with me, and he'd like to, as much as I would, get this meeting over with this morning," Andrew said with a clear voice. "I'll speak to the king and get back to you," I said as I hung up. It was too early for this shit. I thought as I caressed Isabella's silky hair. I gently untangled her from my chest and the mess of limbs that were our legs before climbing out of the bed. "Shit," I muttered as I almost fell due to a sudden dizzy spell. Looks like I pushed myself last night, I thought as I looked back at Isabella. Her new position showed the hickeys I left on her neck and chest, making me smile. Her sweet pale skin would show anything, making me oh so eager to leave something on the l
Isabella I swapped my heels for huge Crocs that were so comfortable my feet wanted to sink inside. Paired with them were a small pair of shorts that I found and the baggy T-shirt that I stole from Damon back in Rome. I took a little stroll to Paula's room. When she answered, her eyes were sleepy, and her neck was decorated with hickeys, just like mine was earlier that morning. Her lips were puffy and pink, and she had this drained, giddy smile on her face. "I'll come back later," I said and went back to my room. I had somehow taken a wrong turn because I found myself lost. There was no staff around, and not a soul was inside the vast marble hallways for me. Suddenly, I heard the clopping sound of male shoes and, hoping I would see Briggs, it was Valentino I saw instead. "I couldn't help but follow you, princess," he said, slurring the last word, making my skin crawl. "That's bad here. He might get angry," I said and turned to leave. "Are you lost?" he asked with a smirk on his fa
Isabella After another shower, being careful not to wet my hair, Paula was currently twisting my hair into yet another updo. On the bed lay a long green dress that I had glimpsed a couple of times but hadn't dared to touch in the closet. Beside it was yet another pair of dark red heels, similar to the ones I wore that morning but a bit lower and with more embellishments. The dress was made of silk, sand was sleeveless, and backless. I felt as though I would be extremely exposed, especially since she was styling my hair upwards instead of letting it flow around my shoulders and waist. "It's a dress meant to show off your shoulders and back. There's no reason to hide them under your hair," Paula said as she continued to gently pull my hair. Moments later, she finished and moved on to my face. With a few strokes of her brush, she had put my face into a somewhat acceptable fashion with minimal makeup. Around my neck, she placed a simple necklace, along with matching earrings, a ring
IsabellaPerhaps it was Donatella's face that was the most surprising, but the days following my declaration and official ascension to the throne were followed by endless visits to my family's estate.I had to temporarily move there because I was worried about the constant movement and how my son would take it. However, according to Julio, it also applied pressure to bring Cassandra back to the city.She had disappeared a few days ago, and I believed she went to have her child."I must say, he's a very handsome boy," Nicholas said as he carried my son and began to walk around the new nursery. The baby cooed in his arms and raised his little fists towards his face. I smiled but began to miss the little bundle of warmth that he provided. I had once complained to Damon, and his reply was,"You'll just have to get used to it. Or are you going to take my son away from me?" Damon said with a smile.***To my surprise, Cassandra didn't show up over the next few weeks. I began to genuinely w
IsabellaGeorge knelt in front of me in the gazebo. I had given Alessandro the go-ahead to let him come to the mansion. He came accompanied by three more people that I didn't recognize."There was a mistake, Princess. If I had known…”“I know you think that I am a benevolent figure of never-ending kindness that might accept you. But you must understand that given my position, I simply cannot forgive you right off the bat. You have to prove yourself to me. You have to prove yourself to the city. You have to prove your loyalty, and it will cost you more than it did the last time," I found myself saying.Shortly after that, I left the men alone and made a beeline for the nursery where I felt my son squirming and crying in his cot. The maid I had instructed to stay with him was trying to keep him calm, but she was failing miserably, making me laugh.I stretched out my hands, and just as she placed him in it, the infant settled down. Shortly after passing him and singing to him, I felt ar
DamonAfter Isabella told me that I should handle Cassandra, Valentino, and her allies, I got to work instantly, telling Ted to pull out the old files he had on the trust of those she committed."So what do we do with them?" he asked. "We pick the weakest link. We pick the one most sympathetic to the lower City. Find me a couple of them and show them the pictures."A few days later, I received a call from Ted while I was out in town on a meeting with Nicholas."We have a number of them. What do you want us to do?" he asked. "Tell them to come to my place," Nicholas said with his arms raised. "I'm sure we'll do a good job convincing them." I smiled and told Ted to do the same. Six men, members of the lesser families, came through his gate.I recognized Antonio and George to be some of them and stopped myself from snickering behind my mask. The men bowed when they saw me, but it was clear that their initial fear of me was gone. I smirked behind the mask and looked at them.I loved se
IsabellaDamon had carried me into the tub filled with cold water. As soon as my body came in contact with the water, I instantly sighed in relief. Marie came to me with a small figure half wrapped in a cloth and laid the pink infant on my naked chest.I leaned my back against the foam headrest and let my child lean against my skin. He squirmed and cried, but Marie said it was all part of the process, even though my heart was aching as I desperately searched my mind for what to do to ease his sorrows somehow."If he doesn't cry, his lungs wouldn't be strong. You have to let him cry, princess," she had told me before I struggled with her, and Damon carried me into the bathroom. Even now, he was still crying, but I felt a bit assured as Damon held my hand and began to rub soothing circles over my knuckles. "You are so strong," he whispered. "I'm so proud of you." He whispered again, and this time his hand reached up to caress the head of the infant that laid on my chest. I smiled, bu
IsabellaDamon laughed suddenly, his shoulders quaking, and the room filled up with the hearty sound of joy. He stopped after a while and turned his head towards Cassandra. "It looks as though this wannabe princess is uninformed about what's happening in the city. Someone please tell her."Andrew cleared his throat. "The King…" Damon took off his mask, revealing his face, causing Cassandra to gasp and cover her mouth, as did Donatella. "The King has been married to the princess for quite a while now. I happen to be one of those privileged to witness the ceremony and the signing of their marriage certificate.This, of course, meant that as one without a surname, he would take his wife's own, making him Damon Montenegro Therefore, your challenge… your stake on the throne is very much mitigated by him.""That's not possible!" Cassandra screeched. "You wouldn't do that," she said as she turned her head towards me and stared daggers at me through the screen. "I did. Would you like to h
Isabella"Do I need to remind you that you are a fugitive?" Damon's voice cut through the silence like a hot knife through butter."Do I need to remind you that your crimes are so great you deserve to be put to death?" Damon stood up from his seat and walked towards the pregnant woman."Get out, or I will pull my gun and shoot you between your eyes, not caring about the child within your belly." Instantly, Donatella gasped and covered her mouth with surprise.She got up and walked towards both of them and set herself in their midst as though to protect Cassandra. "Ouch," I thought to myself. "So much for loyalty forever," I said out loud. Donatella turned to me."You must understand, princess, it's not as though I will not be loyal to you. It's just with the recent developments, we find ourselves needing an heir. Perhaps once she gives birth, she can leave." "I'm not going anywhere," Cassandra said, protesting as she pushed the older woman out of the way."I'm here to challenge her
Isabella“No, Isabella. We still need Cassandra to come out. We need her to show her cards. I'm sure it's not going to take long, but... you have to hang tight, Mia Bella," Damon said, shaking his head.He raised his hand and began to caress my belly before leaning in and pressing a kiss on my swollen abdomen. As if in response, the baby kicked where his hand was."He's saying hello to me," Damon said with a smile as he leaned forward and then pulled open the robe I wore to reveal my naked belly."So perfect," he said as he pressed another kiss on the pale skin. "So damn perfect," he said again as he met my eyes. I could see the expression there, his eyes flashing red before returning back to their normal hazel color. He spread open my legs and slowly removed the outer robe to reveal my naked pussy. Slowly, he kissed his way from my belly button down to my weeping pussy.***The extra wait was grueling, but I didn't mind it. I filled my days with walking, with Paula up and down the
Isabella"It was just a rumor," I told my husband as he paced the length of the room, hitting one wall and then going to the next to do the same."We both know rumors are next to truth. It wouldn't be said if it wasn't seen at some point. But you're the same person that said the city thrived on rumors. Why is this one only different?" I questioned him, but the man continued his insistent pacing. He had taken off his shirt, leaving him half naked and making my eyes wander to strange places."Please," I begged him as I stood up. I took off my coat."You're making me dizzy," I said.Damon stopped suddenly and looked at me. "And if the rumor's true?""Then we laid a trap. And I think traps are your thing… at least Julio's thing.""So let's call the ultimate trap master and have him whip up something for us," I said as I reached up towards my husband's head.***The day after, Julio sat opposite me in the gazebo. "How could you not tell me you were pregnant?" He asked, his eyes wide and f
DamonIsabella's face was pale when I saw her as she came out of the bathroom. She had a stunned look as though she was trying to remember something. I grabbed her hands and rubbed circles over her knuckles until she smiled at me."I am fine," she said with a shaking voice."Champagne?" I asked as I handed her a flute. She shook her head. "I can't keep it down," she said, forcing another smile at me."Isabella, what is wrong?" I asked with my mouth close to her ear. "I'll tell you when we get home," she said as she squeezed my fingers back.The rest of the evening couldn't come fast enough as I began to wish time could go faster. Finally, three hours after we arrived at the party, she tugged on my arm, telling me she wanted to go home. I bade goodbye to my friends and some others who were desperate to see me for some reason. We decided to take the chopper, being impatient and me wanting to find out what was wrong with my wife.I helped her out of her dress when we reached our room. S