BARGAINING WITH SHADOWS

Isabella’s POV

Unspoken anxiety permeated the dense, heavy morning air. As I walked over the great hallways of the estate, it was abnormally silent; nevertheless, the quietness did not help me to relax. Already rushing, preparing, and reevaluating my next action in my head Though I knew deep down I couldn't stand back and let Enzo—or anyone else—make decisions for me, Matteo's warnings kept coming back to me.

I have to see Moretti.

Though it was the only way I could take control of my destiny, there was a part of me knowing it was irresponsible, maybe even deadly. Enzo was caught in a fatal game with Moretti, and just now I was in the heart of it. I could only negotiate this life by facing it squarely.

Matteo was sitting against one of the stone pillars in the rear yard. His black eyes flickered to me as I got closer, a silent tension enveloping the distance between us. I could see he disagreed with my choice.

His voice low, he asked, "Are you sure about this?" You are directly heading into the lion's lair.

I crossed my arms and looked at him. "I have no option here. Moretti won't stop until he has what he wants; for now, that is me. Should I miss him on my terms, he will show up when least expected.

Matteo nodded, his mouth stiff, after lengthy staring at me. Enzo is not going to enjoy this.

"I'm not asking for his permission," I answered forcefully, feeling the weight of the circumstances sink more into my chest. "I have to do this—for me.

He groaned and ran a hand over his hair. Good. But I am here with you. Like you, I do not trust Moretti.

Relieved that I would not be into this alone, I nodded. Matteo was clever, wary, and most importantly he understood how to negotiate the hazards of this planet. It was he that could aid me to do this.

There was a tense journey to the warehouse Moretti had promised to visit. Matteo sat next to me, his eyes darting over the road, each turn and bend like a possible hazard. Though neither of us said that, I could sense the discomfort developing between us. Not much had to be said. Both of us understood that there were a hundred various ways things may go wrong.

Ahead rose the warehouse, a huge, monstrous construction that appeared to engulf the light around it. Matteo gave me a last look as we pulled up; his expression was not clear.

"Stay close," he advised, his voice stern. "Don't show fear no matter what happens."

I nodded and couched the knot in my throat. Though my heart was hammered in my chest, I willed myself to inhale steadily. Right now I can't afford to delay.

The chilly, poorly lighted factory we arrived inside shivered down my spine. Old equipment and corroded metal surrounded the walls; the air was tense and dusty. Vincenzo Moretti occupied the middle of the room.

He exuded might, was tall and broad-shouldered. His dark hair was slicked back, and as soon as I walked inside his cold, analytical eyes met mine. I got shivers running down my back. This was a man who understood long term and had built empires and destroyed them.

Moretti replied, his voice silky yet laced with threat. "The eminent Isabella Russo. I know a bit about you.

I swallowed hard, maintaining a neutral facial. You surely have.

Though it did not reach his eyes, he grinned. "I have to admit, I didn't think you would voluntarily show up here. Enzo had to be losing his touch if he let you make judgments like these.

"This is not about Enzo," I responded, stepping forward. "This is about me."

Moretti arched an eyebrow, entertainment flaring in his gaze. Is that rather true? And specifically, Isabella, what do you believe you could provide?

"I know you're using me to get to Enzo," I answered, my voice firm despite the terror constricting my chest. But what if I could give you something worth more than that?

Moretti stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as his smile somewhat vanished. And what would you possibly have that would be more valuable than retribution?

Though my heart was hammered in my chest, I willed myself to remain cool. "Information. Enzo's intentions. His frailties Are you here to kill him? I could assist you in doing that.

Matteo stiffened next to me, and while I could sense his quiet warning, I continued. This was the only means of preventing Moretti from viewing me as a pawn.

Moretti stopped for a long time not responding. He only fixed me, his frigid gaze evaluating my offer. Thick with suspense, the stillness continued until at last he spoke.

Quietly, with a penetrating look, he replied, "You're either very brave or very stupid." "But you have my attention here.”

Though I kept my face blank, relief flooded over me. Do we therefore have a deal?

Moretti nodded gently after a moment of observation. Maybe. But Isabella, I need more than just assurances. You are going to have to prove your allegiance to me.

Trying to calm my anxiety, I closed my fists. "What are you asking me to do?"

Moretti grinned once again, that icy, predatory look that caused my gut to turn around. " Tomorrow there is cargo arriving. Among Enzo's best offers is this one: You will enable me to undermine it.

I stopped as his words sank in. Enzo, sabatie? I had not meant for that. Instead of aggressively ruining him, I wanted to compile data. Moretti would view me as weak—useless, though, if I withdrew now.

Matteo moved next to me, his body stiff but he said nothing. Though I knew I had little option, I could sense the warning in his stillness. This was the sole means of survival and of maintaining Moretti's confidence.

"Fine," I murmured, my voice almost above a whisper. I will do it.

Moretti's smile broadened, gratification shining in his eyes. "Good." We then get understanding.

Turning, he started to go, but he looked over his shoulder just before he vanished into the darkness. "Do not let me down, Isabella. Not quite as forgiving as Enzo is.

The weight of what I had just agreed to settle on my shoulders caused the ride back to the mansion to be tense. Matteo said nothing, but I could sense his contempt shining from him like heat.

Quietly breaking the stillness, I said, "I had no choice."

Matteo glanced at me, his expression hard. "You always have options.”

Frustration seething inside me, I closed my fists. "I did what I had to do. If I didn’t agree, Moretti would have seen straight through me. He would have known I was bluffing.”

“And now?” Matteo asked, his voice low. “Now you’re stuck in the middle. If you betray Moretti, he’ll murder you. If you sabotage Enzo, he’ll never forgive you.”

I stared out the window, my chest constricting. He was right. No matter whatever road I took, there would be repercussions. And I wasn’t sure I could live with either outcome.

“I’ll find a way out,” I replied gently, though the words seemed empty even as I uttered them.

Matteo answered nothing, but the quiet between us conveyed more than words could ever have. I had crossed a line and there was no turning back now.

I laid in bed that evening, looking at the ceiling, my choice weighing down on me. I had promised to turn on Enzo, to undermine one of his largest transactions. But I couldn't get rid of the sensation that I was headed straight into a trap as I kept running back over the talk with Moretti in my head.

I had to figure out how to reverse this and apply the knowledge I acquired to safeguard maybe Enzo as well as myself.

But a horrible awareness crept over me as the hours went by and the night darkened. I was engaged in a risky game, and everything I did might cause injury to someone.

I only wanted to know if Enzo, Moretti, or I would be.

I met Matteo in the hall early in the morning; my mind was already racing with ideas. Tonight the package was arriving, hence I had to act fast to prevent catastrophe.

My voice low as I walked over to him, I murmured, "I need your help."

Matteo fixed me with a keen gaze. Isabella, you are in great depth. You are not going to be able to leave this clean.

"I know," I murmured, the words sour in my lips. "We can keep Moretti off our backs—at least temporarily—if we can find a way to make it seem as though I sabotaged the shipment without actually destroying anything."

Matteo scowled, thinking over my strategy. That's a risky gamble.

"This is the only opportunity we have," I said, my voice steely. "I will not let Moretti ruin Enzo using me. But I won't let Enzo enter this blind either.

Matteo nodded at last after lengthy staring at me.