The Romano mansion was quiet when Isabella returned home, though the tension in the air was almost suffocating. Her mother, Lucia, sat in the living room with her embroidery, her delicate hands working deftly with the needle. The moment Isabella walked in, Lucia glanced up, her gentle smile faltering at the sight of her daughter's expression.
"cara mia" Lucia said softly, setting aside her work. "What's wrong? You look… shaken."
Isabella hesitated at the doorway, the events of the evening swirling in her mind. She had replayed the moment that man had stood by her side, shielding her from humiliation, and she still couldn't fully comprehend why a stranger with such power had intervened.
"I… something happened at the event" she began, stepping closer to her mother.
Lucia frowned, patting the seat beside her on the plush couch. "Sit down and tell me everything."
Isabella sat, her hands clasped tightly in her lap as she recounted the night's events. She described Marco's plan to exclude her, Giulia's role in the humiliation, and the moment the stranger had stepped in.
"He just appeared" Isabella said, her voice filled with wonder and confusion. "It was like he already knew what was happening. He didn't say much, but the way everyone reacted to him… It was as if he didn't need to say anything at all."
Lucia's face grew pale as Isabella continued, her brows knitting together. "And this man....he didn't tell you his name?"
"No" Isabella admitted, shaking her head. "But the way people looked at him… they were terrified. Yet he didn't seem like a bad person, Mamma. He protected me."
Before Lucia could respond, a loud, booming voice erupted from the hallway, causing them both to flinch.
"ISABELLA!"
Marco's heavy footsteps echoed through the house as he stormed into the living room. His face was flushed with anger, his sharp eyes narrowing at his youngest daughter.
"What the hell happened tonight?" he demanded, his voice like a whip. "Who was that man? How do you know him?"
Isabella stood, her hands trembling. "I don't know him, Papa! I told you, he just… helped me."
Marco's eyes flashed with fury. "Don't lie to me! Men like him don't just 'help' without a reason. What did you promise him? What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything!" Isabella protested, her voice breaking.
But before she could say more, Giulia sauntered into the room, a malicious smirk on her lips. "Oh, Papa" she said sweetly. "Don't you think it's suspicious that Isabella suddenly has such powerful allies? Maybe she's hiding something from us."
"Giulia!" Isabella snapped, turning to her sister. "You don't know what you're talking about!"
"Oh, don't I?" Giulia said, feigning innocence. "I saw the way he looked at you, Isabella. He wasn't just helping you. He was protecting you like you were his… property."
Lucia stood, her voice firm. "That's enough, Giulia. This isn't the time for your games."
But Marco's focus was now entirely on Isabella. "Do you have any idea who that man is?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.
Isabella shook her head, her heart pounding. "No, Papa. I don't."
Marco's lips curled into a bitter smile. "His name is Dante Vitale. Il Diavolo. The Devil himself."
The room seemed to tilt as the weight of his words settled over Isabella. She stared at her father, her mind racing. Dante Vitale… The name sounded familiar, though she couldn't place where she'd heard it before.
"He's dangerous" Marco continued, his voice harsh. "The kind of man who destroys anyone who gets in his way. And yet, tonight, he chose to stand by you. Why?"
"I don't know," Isabella whispered, her voice trembling. "He didn't tell me anything, Papa. He just helped me."
Marco's glare deepened. "I don't believe you."
Lucia stepped forward, placing a hand on Marco's arm. "Marco, she's telling the truth. She didn't know who he was."
But Marco shook her off, his face a mask of cold resolve. "It doesn't matter. We can't take any chances."
"Chances?" Isabella echoed, her fear mounting. "What do you mean?"
Marco's next words hit her like a blow.
"You're getting married, Isabella. I've made arrangements. It's time you stopped being a liability to this family."
The room fell silent, the weight of his declaration crushing the air around them. Isabella stared at her father, her eyes wide with shock.
"Married?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper. "To who?"
"That's not your concern" Marco said dismissively. "You'll find out soon enough."
"No!" Isabella cried, her voice breaking. "You can't just decide my life for me!"
Marco's expression hardened. "You're my daughter. I'll decide what's best for you."
Tears filled Isabella's eyes as she turned to her mother. "Mamma, please, you can't let him do this!"
Lucia looked away, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I'm sorry, Isabella" she said quietly. "There's nothing I can do."
Giulia smirked from the corner, clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Isabella's mind whirled as she tried to process everything. Dante Vitale...the man who had stood by her tonight was the Devil himself, a man feared by all. And now, her father was forcing her into a marriage to escape the consequences of a life she hadn't even chosen.
But even amidst her fear and confusion, one thought lingered in her mind.
Dante Vitale may be dangerous, but he didn't hurt me. He helped me.
And no matter what her father or sister said, her heart refused to believe that his motives were anything but genuine.
_
_
_
The sleek black car came to a smooth halt outside Dante's grand estate, the gates closing behind them with a low hum. Matteo, sitting in the driver's seat, glanced in the rearview mirror at his boss. Dante had been silent since they left the event, his sharp eyes focused on the passing scenery but his mind clearly elsewhere.
As Matteo parked the car, he cleared his throat hesitantly. "Boss… about tonight. What's the next step?"
Dante didn't immediately respond. He adjusted his cufflinks, the silver glint catching the faint light from the estate's entrance. Finally, he shifted his gaze to Matteo, his expression unreadable but his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Destroy Marco Romano" he said evenly, his voice like a blade slicing through the air.
Matteo stiffened, though he wasn't surprised. "Completely?"
Dante's eyes narrowed, a hint of something darker flashing in them. "Completely. Strip him of his power, his assets, his influence. Leave him with nothing but the name he sullied long ago."
Matteo nodded, pulling out his phone to begin drafting the necessary orders. "Consider it done. But…" He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "What about the girl? Isabella?"
Dante's expression softened—just slightly, almost imperceptibly—but Matteo caught it. "She's not to be harmed" Dante said, his tone firm. "She's under my protection now, whether she realizes it or not."
Matteo couldn't hide his curiosity. "Boss, if I may… why her? What's so special about her?"
Dante's gaze turned distant for a moment, as if recalling something only he could see. "That's not your concern, Matteo. Just do as I say."
Matteo nodded again, not pressing further. When Dante issued an order, it wasn't open for debate. "Understood, Boss."
Dante stepped out of the car, his movements deliberate and controlled. Before closing the door, he leaned down slightly, his eyes meeting Matteo's.
"By the time I'm done, Marco Romano will know exactly why no one harms the one belonging to Il Diavolo."
The door shut with a quiet click, and Dante strode up the steps to his estate, his figure disappearing into the shadows of the grand entrance.
Matteo sat back in the driver's seat, exhaling deeply. He'd followed Dante for years, through countless battles and power plays, but something about this particular situation felt different. Dante's focus on Isabella Romano wasn't just about strategy.....it was personal.
Shaking off the thought, Matteo dialed his team. Orders needed to be issued, and Marco Romano's world was about to come crashing down.