A raging headache roused Isabella from sleep the next day. She winced, slowly opening her eyes. There was a sour taste in her mouth, and her eyes throbbed badly. Luckily, the windows were drawn, keeping the harsh sunlight away. She opened her eyes wider and looked round the room. Antonio was nowhere in sight. Sitting up, she leaned against the pillows and looked down at her body. She was wearing a black, lacy night dress which stopped at the middle of her thighs. The dress she wore the previous day was gone, and so were her bra and panties. The last thing she remembered was telling Antonio to take her home. The rest of whatever happened was a blur, and when she tried to remember, her head ached badly. Moaning from the pain, she pushed the covers away and got off the bed. It was past noon, which meant she had slept through the entire morning. Where was Antonio? Brushing her hands through her hair, she stepped into the bathroom. Her mouth tasted bland, mainly from the wine
Antonio met Mario halfway down the stairs and stopped. "What's the situation?" He asked. "Don Russo's men." Mario reported, his voice slightly laced with panic. "He must have seen Marco's dead body and now wants retaliation. Philip and Dario are dead, and Montero is badly injured.""The fucking bastard!" Antonio cursed just as a bullet slammed into one of the windows, sending glass shards everywhere. A painful yell sounded from outside, followed by more gunshots. Antonio's face twisted into a furious scowl and he hurried down the last of the stairs. Suddenly a man in a dark suit burst out from the corner, trying to startle him. But Antonio already felt his presence. He lifted the gun and shot the intruder's head point blank. Two other men burst in through the front door and they immediately fell down dead under the bullet of his gun. "How many are they?" He snapped as Mario handed him a full round of bullets. He opened the cylinder of the gun and loaded each round into the chambe
The soft whimpers of a woman roused Isabella and she opened her eyes. She was back in that strange room, in the body of a four year old, hiding behind the couch. She peeked out, staring at the strange man pointing a gun at her father. Her father turned to her and she recoiled in horror. His eyes had been gouged out, leaving two gaping, bloody holes. He opened his mouth and blood streamed out, just as the sound of the gunshot echoed. With a terrified scream, Isabella jerked awake. Another night mare. She looked around the bedroom groggily, letting her eyes adjust to the dimness. Night had fallen, and she could hear the heavy patter of raindrops against the window, followed by the low liquid rumbling of thunder. The door opened and Antonio stepped in. The scowl on his face disappeared when he saw her awake. Behind him, a maid pushed in a trolley, holding a tray of food. "Set the tray on the table and leave." Antonio muttered. "Sì, signòre." The maid nodded. She quickly lowered t
"Now?" Isabella whispered, her breath catching. "Sì. Now. Do you have a much better time?" Antonio questioned. She shook her head, running her tongue over her dry lips. His eyes lowered to her mouth, heated, filled with intense lust. How he would love to fuck that pretty mouth of hers, feeling her lips and tongue clasp around his cock. The thought of it drove him crazy and he pressed his body into hers, grinding his cock on her thigh. "You've done something to me, Isabella." He rasped. "Something no woman has ever done. I have never craved for a woman the way I crave for you, they way I yearn to restrain you and fuck you senseless."He lifted her hands above her head, locking her wrists together. "I want to fuck you right there in my bed." His fingers curled around her throat as he spoke, his voice low and husky. "I want to fuck you in the bathroom, the kitchen. Fucking hell, I want to take you in the dungeon, watching as you strain against the chains, pleading for release."Isabe
It was exactly 5am the next morning when Antonio opened his eyes. He hadn't slept a wink all through the night. He turned to the side to see Isabella fast asleep, her chest slowly rising and falling. A strange gleam appeared in his eyes as he turned on the bed and rested his hand on her back. She slept with her lips parted, snoring softly. A small chuckle escaped him as he watched her. She was adorable. Even with her stubborn and rebellious nature, she was innocent, too innocent for his world. Too innocent for him. Her first shouldn't be someone like him, someone dark, brutal and cruel. Yet he wouldn't let her go. He wanted his fill of her. He wanted to destroy that innocence, turn her into something more like the women he bedded. Maybe then he would grow bored of her and let her go. He gently stroked her hair, wrapping the lush strands around his fingers. He stroked her cheek, down the bridge of her nose and finally her lips. For the first time in his thirty years, he felt
"Marcello! Shut the door!" Antonio ordered gruffly. Isabella panicked, and the book she held dropped from her hands. She knew what was coming. These men, unconscious and chained to the wall, he didn't bring them there because he wanted to have a chat with them. Something bad was about to happen, and she didn't want to witness it. "Wait." She called out, hurrying towards the door. Antonio's hand shot out and stopped her. He pushed her back gently. "Sit!""I... I don't want to be here." Isabella shook her head, her heart pounding hard within her."I said sit, Isabella!" Antonio snapped. He grabbed her shoulders and forced her back on the sofa. Her chest heaved with heavy breaths, her eyes terrified as she looked at him. This wasn't the same man she pleasured the previous night. Something had come over him. He looked... possessed. His eyes were eerie and dark, a deathly scowl marring his handsome face. His jaw ticked, and there wasn't a flicker of warmth in those furious dark eyes.
Antonio murdered her parents. The words echoed repeatedly in her ears until she felt like screaming. It couldn't be, she thought. These flashbacks had to be some kind of mistake.But Antonio's face kept flashing before her eyes. She remembered her aunt's words. A mafia don killed her parents because they owed the don a huge debt. And seeing how brutal Antonio was in dealing with offenders and enemies, she believed it. It had to be him. It was him. She jerked when Mario touched her hand, and her eyes refocused. "Are you okay?" He asked softly. Isabella didn't answer. She jumped off the sofa and raced out of the library, her ears still ringing from the gunshot. There was so much blood on the floor and she kept her eyes averted as she ran past the lifeless bodies. She needed air, fresh clean air which hadn't been poisoned with the metallic smell of blood. As she ran down the stairs, she collided with Antonio who was coming back up. He steadied her, holding her shoulders firmly.
Isabella started to feel jittery inside the truck. She stole a glance at the old man who was humming along with the song playing on the radio, some oldie song. She looked through the side view mirror, trying to figure out where they were. What had she been thinking? Getting into a truck with a complete stranger? She had been so eager to leave the villa's premises that she didn't think things through. Now here she was, stuck inside a truck, shivering from the cold. The storm had gotten heavier, making the roads difficult to navigate. An eternity later, the old man slowed the truck to a stop and peered out the windscreen. "I think.. sì, this is it." He croaked, turning slowly to Isabella. "This is the intersection, signòrina. If you follow that road, you will find the precinct.""Okay. Thank you for your help." Isabella forced a smile and quickly jumped out. "Are you sure you don't need help?" The man asked, and she could see a hint of worry in his eyes. "I'm fine. Grazie." She rep
Isabella stood before the door leading to the secret room. Antonio's words echoed in her ears, 'I don't make love... I fuck... hard.' Her core clench in readiness as she imagined all the wicked things he would do to her. She felt him behind her and she wondered what was taking long. "One more thing, amore." He whispered in her ear, his warm breath making her shudder. "No questions while we're in there. And no talking unless I say so."He moved away for a moment, then came back behind her. She felt his bare chest press against her back as he leaned over and pushed the button. He was shirtless, and she itched to turn around and gaze at him. The familiar rattle of chains sounded and the hidden door opened, revealing the dim passage she went through moments ago. Antonio placed his hands on her waist and moved her inside. The door shut, trapping them inside the cozy dimness. "Keep walking." He ordered. Isabella forced her wobbly legs forward, her heart slamming wildly in anticipation
The moment Isabella stepped out of that sinful pleasure room, she felt a sudden emptiness. She turned back and looked at the dim passage longingly, sighing softly as Antonio shut the door and pushed the hangers back in place. The room called to her, and the urge to tell him to take her there again was so strong. Antonio caught her stare and he smiled smugly. "Don't worry, amore. You'll be back there before you know it." He teased. Isabella scoffed and rolled her eyes. She was about to walk away when Antonio grabbed her arm and yanked her back. "Have you forgotten my rules so soon?" He muttered. She gulped, softly shaking her head. Of course she remembered the rule. No sign of rebellion. "I'm sorry." She murmured. Antonio released her hand and gently propelled her out of the closet. "Keep testing me and you'll suffer for it." He moved her to the couch and pressed her down on it. "Wait here." He ordered. Turning away, he walked out of the room for a moment, heading towards hi
"Welcome to the dark side of my world, Isabella." Antonio rasped. "This is my play room."The word 'playroom' echoed repeatedly in Isabella's ears as she stared at him. She found herself unable to break eye contact. It was as if he held her spell bound.He walked towards her slowly, like a stalker would stalk his prey. When he stood before her, he gently held her shoulders and turned her around. Then his hands lowered to her waist and pressed her against his body. "When I said you had no idea what you're getting yourself into, this was part of what I meant." He murmured in her ear, his breath making her shudder. "I can feel your heart racing. I can feel the waves of fear coming off of you. I know you're scared, so don't you dare lie to me.""Maybe I'm scared." She whispered. "But it doesn't mean I'll leave." She felt his hardness twitch against her bum and she unconsciously rubbed against it. "Such boldness." He chucked, sniffing the side of her neck. "Very well, then. Go on, take a
"For your sake, I hope you're ready."Isabella felt a shiver of anticipation go down her spine. Maybe, just maybe, she could actually enjoy this plan of hers. "Very well." She nodded, then reached for her discarded hoodie. "What are you doing?" Antonio asked. She paused, her fingers clutched the damp hoodie. "You asked me to dress up." She said, slightly confused. "I didn't mean that, silly girl." Antonio shook his head. "It's wet, and you will catch a cold."He brushed past her, taking her hand and pulling her with him. Reaching over the couch, he grabbed one of his discarded shirt and handed it to her. "Put this on." He instructed. Isabella accepted the shirt silently and turned to the bathroom. "Where are you going?"She turned back again. "The bathroom. Where else?"Antonio chuckled darkly. "No, amore. I won't have any of that anymore. Stand right there and take off your clothes."Isabella's face heated up with a hot blush. Though he had seen her naked countless times, she
"Why did you come back, Isabella?" Isabella lowered her hand and looked up at him. It was time to begin the execution of her plans. "Don't you want me back?" She asked. "Don't." Antonio shook his head. "I ask the questions, and you answer. Now tell me why you're back. The last thing I remember was you calling me a murderer...""I'm sorry." Isabella cut in softly. She lifted her hands helplessly and looked at him. "I'm sorry for everything. I overreacted and I let my emotions get the better of me.""Bullshit." Antonio snapped. "I'd be damned if I believe a word from that mouth of yours.""I'm telling you the truth." She protested. "No. You're telling me what I want to hear." Antonio retorted. He leaned closer a bit, his stormy eyes burning into hers. "Tell me why you're really here, Isabella. I know it's not because you suddenly had a change of heart. You're too stubborn.""Why is it so hard to believe?" Isabella shot back. "I thought this was what you wanted. My submission. Here I
"Who hurt you?"Antonio's deep voice cut through the air like daggers. He was strangely calm, like the calm before a storm. "WHO?" He roared. Isabella flinched and lowered her eyes, holding her bleeding arm. Antonio felt his patience snap. He glared at Mario, his jaw ticking angrily. "Who hurt her?""Master Pedro did." Mario blurted. "He tried to assault her and when she hit him, he cut her with a knife."Antonio said nothing more. He uncrossed his legs and grabbed the butcher knife on the table. "Wait here." He murmured to Isabella as he brushed past her. He stormed down the stairs, his face set in a deep scowl, his eyes burning with rage. Looking through the crowd, he spotted Pedro beside a roulette table. When Pedro saw him approaching, he grinned and waved, unaware of what was coming for him. "Antonio, have you come to join us?" He called out. Antonio marched up to him, grabbed his hand and pinned it on the table, then brought down the butcher knife on it. Pedro screamed
When the car pulled to a stop outside the casino, Isabella was close to changing her mind. The fear of Antonio's rejection terrified her, making her wonder if coming back was worth it. She had seen him angry, and it wasn't a pretty sight. Yet she trudged on. She couldn't turn back now, not when she was here already. She stole a glance at the glowing dashboard of the car and checked the time. 08:51PM.Mario turned and looked at her. "Are you sure about this?" He asked. Isabella couldn't help but notice how kind he was. Beneath all that fierce and rugged exterior, he really knew how to show concern. "I'm not sure." She answered truthfully. "But I have to.""Why don't you wait in the car." He suggested. "I'll let the Don know you're here.""No!" She said sharply, then lowered her voice and continued. "No, please don't. Just take me to him." She was worried that Antonio would ask him to send her away. She got down from the car, shivering slightly from the cold. Her hoodie and jeans h
Isabella remained in her curled position for so long that her legs cramped up. She finally lifted her head and stretched her legs in front of her, massaging her calves. Night had completely fallen and a cold wind blew after the rain, making the air chilly. Apparently, crying had lessened the heavy feeling in her heart. She could think clearly now, and she wondered what to do next. She couldn't remain out there in the open, alone. It was dangerous and she could get robbed, or worse, attacked. She had to leave. She thought of Sophia, and as her thoughts strayed back to what happened, so did her heart burn with anger. The betrayal of that woman had awoken something within her.She rose to her feet, her mind racing with a million thoughts. She knew what she had to do. Revenge. Yes! On everyone who contributed to the hardship she went through. Sophia, her deadbeat uncles and aunties who didn't give a damn if she was alive or dead. Those were the people she had loved and trusted, and i
"I'm going to kill you myself." Sophia whispered, holding the bottle like a weapon as she stalked towards Isabella. Isabella didn't let her fear stop her from defending herself. She was done being treated unfairly. She grabbed another empty bottle, turned her face away and smashed it on the floor. Glass flew everywhere and a piece cut her hand. She didn't care though, didn't even feel the pain. She raised the jagged edge and held it up, protecting herself. "Don't come any closer, aunt Sophia." She said, her voice strong and determined. "I won't hesitate to cut you.""Dio mio! You've grown wings, haven't you?" Sophia spat. "You now challenge me.""I'm done letting you treat me like I'm worthless." Isabella shot back. "All those years, all I ever thought of was going to college, then getting a degree so I can open my own dress shop. I wanted a better life for both of us. But you... you only kept me with you so you could sell me off.""A big mistake I made." Sophia retorted. "If I had