AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Boss," one of my men murmurs, approaching me discreetly. "There's been another threat."
"Handle it," I command with barely contained rage, not taking my eyes off Isabella. "Make sure they understand the consequences of coming after her or the ballet company again."
"Of course, boss." He nods and disappears, leaving me to grapple with the darkness that threatens to consume me. I can't help but wonder if my own sins have brought this upon us. And yet, for Isabella, I would gladly confront every demon that haunts me.
"Vincenzo?" Her voice, soft and hesitant, pulls me from my thoughts as she steps down from the stage. "Is everything alright?"
"Nothing you need to worry about,cara mia," I assure her, fighting to keep my voice steady. "I will always take care of whatever troubles come our way."
"Your men seem...concerned. Are you sure we're safe here?" She looks around at the heavily fortified ballet studio, her brow furrowed with worry.
"Trust me, Isabella," I urge her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I will never let anything happen to you or your dancers."
She searches my face, her dark eyes filled with doubt, and I know she senses my inner turmoil. It pleases me to see her beginning to rely on me, though it pains me to know it's born from fear. But as long as she turns to me for protection, I can bear the weight of her uncertainty.
"Alright," she whispers hesitantly. "I trust you."
"Good," I reply, my heart swelling with both relief and determination. "You should get back to your rehearsal. I will handle everything else."
As Isabella returns to the stage, her lithe form moving in perfect synchronization with the music, I can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I have given her this sanctuary, allowed her to focus on her passion while I shield her from harm.
But when I overhear two of my men discussing an upcoming deal that will strengthen our position against our enemies, I realize that there are still secrets I must keep from her. Secrets that could shatter the fragile trust we've built.
"Vincenzo?" Isabella appears beside me once more, her eyes narrowed as she stares at the men conversing across the room. "What's going on?"
"Nothing that concerns you,cara mia," I lie smoothly, trying to distract her with a caress of her cheek. Her skin is warm beneath my fingertips, her breath hitching ever so slightly at my touch.
"Don't patronize me," she snaps, pulling away from me. "I heard them talking about a deal. Are you using the ballet company to further your own goals?"
"You know nothing about my world," I say quietly, my heart clenching at the hurt in her eyes. "But understand this. Everything I do, I do to protect you. If that means making deals and confronting my enemies, then so be it."
"Even if it puts us all in danger?" She challenges, her voice trembling with barely contained emotion.
"Especially then," I confess, swallowing hard. "Because it is only by facing these dangers that I can truly keep you safe."
"I can't believe I trusted you," she whispers, her eyes filling with tears.
I watch her storm away, the anger radiating off her lithe body as she disappears down the hall. The air crackles with tension and uncertainty, and I struggle to keep my composure. My heart races in my chest, torn between pride at her defiance and fear of losing her trust.
"Isabella!" I call out, following her into the dimly lit practice room. She whirls around, eyes blazing with a fire that makes my cock surge to full mast in my pants. "Don't walk away from me," I growl, my voice gritty with desire. How fucked up is it that her anger turns me on?
"Give me one reason why I shouldn't," she spits, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "You lied to me, Vincenzo."
I grit my teeth. "I need you to understand that everything I've done is for your protection." Can't she see that everything I do is for her?
"Protection?" she scoffs, her voice dripping with disdain. "Or control?"
"Isabella—" I begin, but she cuts me off, her usually delicate features twisted in fury.
"You can't control everything," she snaps. "And you certainly can't control me."
I finally lose my patience and grab her shoulders. I give her a shake as I roar, "Don't you understand, you infuriating little creature? I can't lose you! Not now. Not ever!"
"Let me go!" Tears stream down her face, and it pierces my hear to know that I'm the one who's making her cry like this.
"Never," I growl, my grip only tightening on her with panic. She has no idea what she's asking me. I can't let her go. I won't. She doesn't understand. I dared to hope that maybe she was finally starting to understand what I can't put into words, what I've been trying to tell her with my actions all this time.
"I fucking love you,cara mia, and you're not going anywhere," I confess with a growl before I wrap my woman in my arms and kiss her like what I am—a man on the verge of losing the only thing that matters to him.
