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"Speak," is how he answers the phone. His face is stony as he listens to whatever is said on the other side of the phone, his eyes never leaving mine the entire time.
He snaps the phone shut a moment later without saying goodbye.
"Never forget,cara mia. You aremine," he hisses in my ear before he turns and stalks from the room, leaving me standing there trembling.
I have a feeling that whatever's going on isn't good.
Ten
Vincenzo
Iwatch as my enemies close in, their grubby hands reaching for what they believe is theirs to take. My grip on the delicate crystal glass tightens as I survey the scene before me. The ballet company's rehearsal space, once a haven of beauty and serenity, now teems with danger and uncertainty. It gnaws at me, this feeling of helplessness as I struggle to protect what has become so dear to me.
Isabella.
She dances gracefully across the stage, her lithe body gliding through the air like a feather caught in an updraft. I can't take my eyes off her. She is everything—perfection embodied. But even she is not immune to the darkness that encroaches upon us.
"Vincenzo," she says hesitantly, approaching me with trepidation in her eyes. "I…I need your help."
This admission, though reluctant, sends a thrill down my spine. To have her come to me willingly...it feels like a victory. But I mustn't let my emotions cloud my judgment. There are lives at stake here—not just hers but those of her fellow dancers.
"Of course,cara mia," I respond, my voice low and steady, masking the tempest of desire that threatens to consume me. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you safe."
"Thank you," she whispers, relief washing over her delicate features. She looks at me, her dark, expressive eyes filled with vulnerability, and I am struck by a rare moment of complete honesty between us. It is fleeting, as all things are in this twisted world we inhabit, but it is enough.
"Your enemies…" she begins, but I interrupt her with a wave of my hand.
"Leave it to me," I assure her, my resolve steeling within me. "You focus on your dancing. I will handle the rest."
"Alright," she agrees hesitantly, clearly still grappling with the reality of our situation.
Her eyes search mine before she finally nods, conveying her trust in me. I blink, surprised but delighted by what she's just gifted me with. I am filled with both pride and a sense of responsibility so heavy it threatens to crush me.
"Okay," she says softly, her gaze locked on mine.
The word is simple, but it holds within it a depth that I am not prepared for. It wraps around me like a silken rope, binding me to her with a power that is both intoxicating and terrifying.
"Isabella," I murmur, my voice barely audible even to my own ears, "I would do anything for you."
And as I watch her walk away, the grace of her movements a stark contrast to the chaos that surrounds us, I know that I speak the truth. For Isabella—for this beautiful, enigmatic woman who has captured my heart and soul—I would truly doanything.
I survey the ballet company's rehearsal space, my mind racing with plans to fortify this sanctuary that has become so important to Isabella. The danger is a living, breathing thing, slithering through the shadows and threatening to destroy everything she holds dear. I cannot allow that to happen.
I set to work immediately, calling in trusted men from my organization to patrol the perimeter of the building. I order the installation of state-of-the-art security cameras and alarms, ensuring that no one can infiltrate these walls without my knowledge. The tension in the air is palpable as they swarm the space, but the dancers continue their routines, their dedication unwavering even in the face of such adversity.
Isabella watches them, her eyes filled with a mixture of pride and worry. She turns to me, her expression vulnerable for the first time since I've known her. "Vincenzo," she whispers, her voice trembling slightly. "Are you afraid?"
The question catches me off guard, forcing me to confront the fear I've been pushing down deep within myself. Yes, I am afraid. For the first time in my life, I am afraid, but not for myself. For Isabella.
I don't tell her that, though.
Instead, I pull her to me and lose myself in her lips, determined to use my body to make her forget all her fears.
And my own.
* * *
The scent of roses drifts through the air as I watch Isabella glide effortlessly across the stage, her graceful movements mesmerizing. My heart swells with pride knowing that it is my protection that allows her this moment of peace amidst the chaos. But even as I revel in her performance, I can't ignore the gnawing feeling in my gut—a reminder that danger still lurks in the shadows.
