re remained only a few servants patrolling the halls to clean. Isabella sat on the edge of her bed, lookin

, and Sofia came in. Her eyes were sw

is," Sofia gasped, cross

answered quietly. Sh

s me, Isabella. Dante isn't normal. H

er's. "But I can handle him. What I can't handle is to see you thrown into

in Isabella's shoulder. "Then at least call me. Every day. I

st take care too. If Father ever finds out

dded. "I'll be s

g each one of her dresses carefully, though her hands trembled. While the

his?" Elena asked, holding he

ella retorted bitterly, no

ape," Elena breath

ack me down. Dante would track me down. There is no

orrow. "Then I will wait for your call. E

aid Isabella,

the front door. Lucia Romano enveloped Isabella in her arms at

w Dante's reputation. But I think... I think

s. She didn't speak. She just kisse

ooming over it, speaking to one of his men. His eyes swept over her o

?" he

ce without lo

t, his presence heavy. Two of his men were in the front, and another car followe

oke. "You'll be safe in my hous

ipped tightly together in her l

es. Behind them lay a house bigger than she had ever known. Walls

the car proceeded, two women

ength in her movement. She was in her forties, at le

other, Bianca

he grasped Isabella's hands carefully. "Welcome, dear. You

d Isabella's age, with br

ia," Dante said.

oser. "Don't be afraid. I'll make you feel home. We will

bella unawares. She nodded po

mansion was no less formidable. High ceilings with chandeliers, gleaming floors, pricey furni

ometimes stayed with her for short talks. Giulia visited her room often, inviting her to go for a walk in the garden

sat next to her. In the garden, he loitered in the back

bled at dinner. "You don't have to

lat, authoritative. "You are mine, Isabella. If you walk away alone agai

er fingers. His warning terrified h

y played for more than an hour, Isabella laughing when she lost round after rou

the fantasy ended. Giulia retreated i

his eyes fixed on her. "You ap

ption?" she flu

in his chair. "But you're alive. That's s

etween them wit

. The way he commanded his men with a calm tone. The way his eyes lingered on her as if he was memorizing everythin

No matter how sweet Bianca was, no matter how swee

office when she heard feet shuffling

ck back," the ma

the hallway, her

d?" Dante sna

bella still managed to hear the wo

r lips. She darted into the room witho

her, his jaw tight

s clear. Sof