Dante Moretti

Isla~

Tonight, I was getting engaged to my father's sworn enemy, a man with a vendetta against our family.

I stared blankly at my reflection in the mirror, as I was being dolled up in preparation for his arrival. My supposed husband-to-be would be here anytime from now, and I had to look perfect for him.

I took a look at the black, evening dress that ran all the way down to my feet. It clung to me like a second skin, it's expensive noose tightening around my body.

The dress was stunning, to say the least but it might as well be a funeral attire. A part of me was about to die tonight.

It was a gift from HIM, I was told.

A sigh left my lips as my mind suddenly drifted off to Jake, my boyfriend. Just a few days ago, he had called to inform me that he would be coming back to Vegas, to me.

He had been away for years and we excitedly made plans on all the things we would do, places we would visit together. I guess none of those would be happening now.

By the time he gets back, I would have been married to a total stranger.

"Beautiful!"

I looked up to see my father by the doorway. He was already dressed up for the event, his walking stick in hand.

Was he giving me a compliment? I didn't really know because it didn't sound like it. I didn't bother turning around to regard him as he walked towards me

"Leave us!" He said to my female attendants and they all hurried towards the exit immediately.

My father and I were now alone, engulfed in a long, awkward silence.

"The dress suits you." He finally speaks up again, eyeing me through the mirror.

"Where's mother?" I asked, completely ignoring his compliments.

He seemed quite offended, but I could care less about his fragile ego right now.

"She's busy overseeing the preparations."

Preparations for my engagement to an enemy? I didn't bother to say that out loud.

"You must understand that we had no other choice." My father said.

"Marrying you off to Dante is the only way to get your brother back."

Dante Moretti, that was his name. I remember it now and the mere mention made my skin crawl.

I've heard whispers of a man who never forgives, never forgets. A man who collects his debts in blood. And tonight, I was his prize.

A part of me wondered what my father must have done to piss him off, but it wasn't in my place to ask questions.

He had kidnapped my elder brother, threatening to put a bullet in his head if I'm not made his bride.

I was to be given to him in place of my brother. I was the sacrificial lamb, the bargaining chip.

I slowly turned around to face my father and for a moment, I thought I saw something like guilt flash in his eyes. I was however convinced that it was all my wishful thinking. My father never feels sorry for using me as a pawn in his games.

"What about me, father?" I asked him in a calm voice, looking right into his eyes.

"After you've gotten Matteo back, what happens to me?"

He didn't say a word and I didn't even need him to. I already knew the answer.

My life wasn't as important to him as that of my brother. He had always been the golden child, the heir to our family's entire fortune. Matteo's life was always worth more than mine.

My father suddenly leaned in to plant a soft kiss on my forehead, taking me by surprise.

"You'll survive, child." He whispered, before pulling away and smiling at me.

"You'll survive."

With that, he slowly turned around to leave the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

I took in a heavy breath to calm my nerves, suddenly feeling the entire weight of my current predicament crushing down on me. This was it!

I was really about to become the bride of a vengeful monster, a man who currently has my brother at gunpoint. I was going to be offered to him like a damn present to be unwrapped.

Angry tears threatened to fall from my eyes but I held them back. Now wasn't the time to cry. I couldn't let them see how broken I am.

"You should run away."

I was suddenly startled by the familiar voice. When did she get in?

"Miss Neagley?!" I called out, turning around to look at the older woman.

She had been my nanny since I was a child, more of a mother to me than my mother ever was.

Miss Neagley was suddenly holding my hands in hers, looking directly into my eyes.

"I know you want no part in this, Isla." She said in a hushed tone.

"You should run away while you still can."

I frowned.

"But Matteo is..."

"Matteo would want you to save yourself too, don't you think?" She argued.

Miss Neagley’s grip on my wrist tightened. "You don’t have much time, child. If you want to leave, it has to be now."

My heart pounded in my chest. Run? It wasn’t that simple. If I leave, Matteo might die. But if I stay, my future would belong to Dante Moretti.

I swallowed hard. "How?"

Her eyes flicked to the corner of the room, where the balcony doors stood slightly ajar. The night breeze whispered through the opening, as if calling to me.

"The servants' passage leads out back. You can take one of the cars," she whispered.

A deep voice rumbled from downstairs, sending ice through my veins. Dante. He was here.

Panic set in and I knew I had to move.

Without another thought, I slipped out of the room, my bare feet silent against the marble floor. My pulse thundered in my ears as I navigated the dim hallways. I knew this house better than anyone. I knew every hidden corridor, every blind spot.

I was almost there. The back door was in sight. I could see the car parked just beyond the gate.

Then...

"Going somewhere, princess?"

A voice so gentle, yet so stern suddenly halted me in my track.

I heard him before I saw him and I instantly knew who he was.

Dante Moretti.