Isabella couldn't catch breath straight. She couldn't get news of Sofia's kidnapping out of her head. She sat on the bed, her legs twitching, fists grasped in front of her. Each second was weighing more.

The door creaked open, and there was Dante striding along as if he had done nothing wrong.

"You knew?" "What calling?" Isabella demanded, immediately issuing her stern voice. You fucking knew that Adrian's men have my sister?

After Dante walked through, the door shut. He walked slowly. "I heard."

"You heard?" Isabella's tone raised. "That's all you have to say? My sister is missing, my sister is gone and you're standing here like you don't care."

"It's Marco's fault," Dante said. His voice was cold, even a little harsh. "Adrian is the one punishing him, not me. Not you."

Isabella shot up so fast that the chair behind her was dragged across the floor. "She's a kid. She has nothing to do with this. You can't just stand by."

"You don't know what you are asking,"Dante answered. His eyes narrowed. "If I go now, Adrian goes to war. He wants that."

"I don't care!" Her throat was on fire."Stephanie shouted at Isabella. "You're supposed to be strong. People are afraid of you. But you won't do anything for an innocent girl? What kind of man are you?"

Dante came nearer, his voice low. "Watch what you say."

"No," Isabella exclaimed. Her chest was heaving wildly."

"You don't scare me. You're acting big, but you're fleeing. You're a coward if you let her die."

Dante shot her a look for a moment. His jaw was set and his eyes smoldered. And then he left without another word.

Isabella collapsed back onto the bed, shuddering. Her breathing was ragged and irregular. She covered her face with her hands but the tears flowed freely.

---

Dinner that night was funereal. Bianca and Giulia sat at the long table, plates of food untouched. Isabella already pushed her plate away after having taken only one bite.

Giulia finally broke the silence. "We heard about Sofia. I'm sorry."

Isabella stared up. "Why won't someone do something?"

"Why, this is dangerous," Bianca said slowly. Her hands lay folded on the table, rings glinting in the light. "All the people are going to die if Dante answers.

"So we abandon her to them?" Isabella hurled at her. "We just all ignore her?

No one told me so," she replied in a low voice. "Dante would never admit it, but he cares. He won't show it, but he's scared. He will find ways to go around it."

Isabella shook her head. "You really believe so? He just told me he ain't waging the war."

Bianca stretched across the table. "Child, codes exist in this world. And if we violate them, we pay in blood."

"Alright, I don't care about your rules," Isabella said, pulling away. "I care about my sister. And if he won't help, I will."

Giulia's face went white. "Isabella, don't be stupid. Adrian would take advantage of you too."

Isabella said nothing. She rose and departed from the table, her hunger vanished.

In her own room, she paced. She picked up her phone twice, trying to call her dad, but the line was dead. She considered calling Elena, then gave up. What could her friend possibly do? Nothing.

Her stomach hurt from being so tight. She repeated over and over, "She's just a girl. She's scared. She needs me." Over and over.

She went to the window and stared at the dark grounds. The house was quiet, but her chest was loud with panic. She wanted to scream.

The door opened without a knock. She turned quickly.

Dante stood there. His shirt sleeves were rolled, his face unreadable.

"Get dressed," he said.

Isabella froze. "What?"

"Get dressed," he repeated. His voice was hard. "We're leaving."

Her heart jumped. "You're going to get her?"

"Yes."

"Why now?" she asked, confused.

"Because I chose." His eyes were fixed on hers. "And because Adrian thinks he can take what belongs to me."

The words seared, yet Isabella remained silent. She ran to her closet and seized a black coat. Her hands shook as she pulled it on. She knelt to tie her shoes, nearly dropping one.

She felt his eyes on her the whole way.

When she stood up, Dante stepped forward. His hand lifted her chin so she had no choice but to look into his eyes.

"You're going to stay close," he stated. "You're going to be quiet. And if you disobey me once tonight, you'll regret it."

Her mouth was dry. She nodded.

"Good." Dante turned on his heel, already heading for the door. "Let's go."

Isabella followed him, her heart pounding. She knew there was no turning back now.

The black cars stopped in front of the warehouse. Men jumped out fast, guns ready. Dante stepped out last, calm like he had done this a hundred times. I sat in the back seat, my hands shaking as I looked at the old building. My sister was in there. I wanted to run in, but Dante's hand came down on my arm.

"Stay here," he said.

"I can't. She's my sister," I said back, my voice sharp.

"You'll only get in the way," he said. "If something happens to you, then what? You think I'll let you ruin everything?"

I bit my lip hard, my chest rising and falling. "I don't care about everything. I just want her safe."

His eyes cut to me, dark and cold. "She will be safe. Because I'm going in there."

The doors burst open and his men rushed in. Gunshots started right away, loud and close. I flinched at every sound. Dante walked forward with steady steps. He didn't even duck when bullets cracked near the walls. He just lifted his gun and fired back, each shot controlled. I had never seen someone like that. No fear at all.

I leaned forward, clutching the car seat. "Please... please be okay," I whispered to myself.

Minutes felt like hours. Shouts and gunfire filled the air. Smoke drifted out of the broken windows. Then I saw movement. One of Dante's men dragged someone out-it was Sofia. Her wrists were tied, her face pale, her hair messy. She stumbled, coughing.

"Sofia!" I screamed. I threw the door open and ran to her. My arms wrapped around her before she could fall. She was shaking hard.

"Bella," she whispered, her voice weak. "I thought I wouldn't see you again."

"You're okay now," I said, tears burning my eyes. "You're okay."

Dante came out right after, blood on his shirt, but not his. He gave quick orders to his men. "Get the cars ready. Watch the back exits."

Behind him, Adrian appeared in the doorway. His face twisted with hate, his gun raised. "This isn't over, Isabella!" he shouted before one of Dante's men pulled him back with gunfire. Adrian ran into the smoke and was gone.

Dante's jaw tightened. He didn't chase him. Instead, he looked at me holding Sofia. His eyes softened just for a second before hardening again. "Get her in the car."

We drove back fast. Sofia leaned against me, her head on my shoulder. I brushed her hair back, whispering small things to calm her. She barely spoke. I could feel her trembling the whole way.

Back at the mansion, Dante's doctor came to check her. He cleaned her wrists and gave her water. I sat on the bed beside her, holding her hand.

"Does it hurt?" I asked.

"A little," she said softly. "But I'm fine. Better than before."

I nodded and smoothed the blanket over her. My chest finally eased. She was alive. That was all I cared about.

The door opened again. Dante stepped inside. His presence filled the room at once. His shirt still had bloodstains, his sleeves rolled up. His eyes landed on Sofia, then shifted to me.

"She will recover," he said. "You should rest too."

"I'm not leaving her," I said, looking down at Sofia.

"You can sit with her tomorrow," he replied. "Tonight, you need to understand something."

I frowned. "What now?"

He walked closer, his shoes clicking against the floor. "You only survived today because of me. Don't forget it."

My stomach twisted with anger. "You want me to thank you for doing the right thing? For saving my sister when you're the reason she was taken in the first place?"

His eyes flashed. "Watch what you say."

"No," I said louder. "I'm tired of watching what I say. You think I'm some doll you can move around. You don't care what happens to us as long as it benefits you."

He stepped closer. My back touched the wall beside the bed. His hand pressed against the wall near my face. His voice dropped low. "If I didn't care, your sister would be dead right now. And you would be kneeling at Adrian's feet."

I swallowed hard, my heart racing. His face was inches from mine. I could feel his breath, hot and steady. My body froze even as my thoughts screamed at me to move.

"Dante..." I said, my voice shaky.

His eyes went to my lips. For a moment, the air between us felt too heavy. He leaned closer. My chest tightened. I thought he was going to kiss me. My lips parted on their own.

But he stopped. His lips hovered just short of mine. His eyes burned into me. Then he whispered, "When I take you, it won't be by accident."

He pulled back at once, turning and leaving the room without another word. The door shut behind him. I stood frozen, my hands trembling. My heart beat so loud I could barely hear Sofia's quiet breathing beside me.

I sat down again, pressing my hands over my face. I didn't know if I hated him or if I hated myself more for the way my body had reacted. I stayed like that until sleep pulled me down.

The next morning was quiet in the De Luca mansion. Isabella sat by Sofia's bed, watching her sister sleep. Sofia looked pale, her hair spread across the pillow. The last few days had taken so much from her. Isabella brushed her sister's hand softly.

"You're safe now," Isabella whispered. "I won't let anything happen to you again."

The door opened. Giulia stepped inside with a tray of food. "The doctor said she needs to eat when she wakes up."

"Thank you," Isabella said.

Giulia placed the tray down and looked at her. "Dante told me to tell you breakfast is in the dining hall. He wants you there."

Isabella's stomach tightened. She didn't want to see him after last night. "I'll come later."

Giulia shook her head. "You know he won't like that."

Isabella let out a small sigh. She leaned down and kissed Sofia's forehead before leaving the room. Her steps were heavy as she walked to the dining hall.

The long table was filled with food. Marco sat near the head, talking with two men Isabella didn't know. Dante sat at the end, calm as always. His eyes lifted the moment she entered, watching her closely.

"Sit," Dante said.

Isabella pulled out a chair far from him and sat down. One of the men, older and dressed in a dark suit, glanced at her and smirked.

"So this is the bride," the man said. "She looks softer than I expected."

Isabella looked down, trying to ignore him. Dante's eyes shifted at once.

"Careful," Dante said, his voice low but sharp. "You speak once more, and you won't leave this table."

The man laughed nervously. "I was only joking."

Dante slammed his glass down, making the table shake. "Does it look like I'm laughing?"

The room went silent. The man swallowed and nodded quickly. "No. Forgive me."

Isabella's cheeks warmed. She hated being the reason for the scene, but part of her felt a strange relief at the way Dante had shut him down.

Dinner moved on quietly. Isabella picked at her food. She could feel Dante's eyes on her often, but she refused to look up. When the meal ended, the guests left quickly. Marco walked out after them, leaving only Isabella and Dante at the table.

"You didn't eat," Dante said.

"I wasn't hungry," Isabella replied.

"You should eat," he said again, his tone more like an order.

"I'll eat later."

His jaw tightened, but he didn't push further. He stood and moved toward her. Isabella rose quickly, planning to leave, but his hand caught her arm. She froze and looked up at him.

"Let go," she said.

He leaned down slightly. "You're mine in every way. Don't forget that."

Her pulse quickened. "I don't belong to you. I'm here because I had no choice."

"You'll see soon enough," he said, his voice calm but firm.

She pulled her arm free and walked out quickly, her mind racing. Back in her room, she sat by the window, staring out at the gardens. Hours passed before she finally tried to sleep.

She was half-asleep when there was a knock at the door. She sat up, unsure if she should answer. The door opened slowly, and Dante stepped inside. He closed it behind him, his eyes fixed on her.

"Why are you here?" Isabella asked, clutching the blanket to her chest.

He walked closer, not rushing. "Because you've been avoiding me all day."

"I don't want to see you," she said quickly.

"You don't get to decide that." He stopped at the side of her bed. "You can run from me during the day, Isabella. But at night, you can't hide."

Her breath caught. "Stay away from me."

"You don't mean that." He reached down and took her hand, pulling it free from the blanket. His fingers brushed against hers, making her shiver.

"Dante..." she said, her voice unsteady.

He leaned in, his hand lifting to her cheek, thumb brushing her skin. "I could take you right now. You want me to."

She shook her head quickly. "No. I don't."

He leaned closer, his lips almost touching hers. Her body froze, caught between fear and something else she didn't want to admit. His other hand rested on her waist, holding her in place.

Their lips brushed for just a second before Isabella pulled back, her hand pushing against his chest. "Stop. I don't want this."

For a moment, silence filled the room. Dante's eyes stayed on her, dark and unreadable. Then, slowly, a smirk spread on his lips.

"You can run from me in this house, Isabella," he said quietly. "But you'll never escape me."

Before she could answer, he leaned down and kissed her. It was not gentle. His mouth pressed against hers, stealing her breath. She pushed at him, but his grip held firm for a moment longer before he finally let go.

He stepped back, his smirk still there. Without another word, he turned and walked out, leaving her shaken and breathless.

Isabella touched her lips with her fingers, her heart racing. She didn't know if she hated him or hated herself more for the way she had almost kissed him back.