Captive of the mafia boss

vier, the weight of his presence pressing in on her like an invisible force. She knew the DeMarcos were dangerou

e thing: she had no idea wha

eyes studied her with unnerving precision, as if searching for something hidden beneath the

ximus said, his voice

d briefly to Isabella, then back to Maximus. There was a t

e colder than the winter winds. "You

ped back, his eyes narrowing. Isabella couldn't quite read the expressi

weakness. "You've been kept in the dark for far too long," he said, his voice low but tinge

round, though her mind was a whirlwind of questions. What did he mean by

t," Isabella replied, her voice steady

retending it doesn't matter." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You're not just the daughter

rcos, yes, but how could that possibly connect to her? Was there somethi

woman of rare blood, Isabella. A blood that's tied to the pow

g there-something that didn't belong in the cold, calculating man she'd come t

"And that's why we're going to keep you close. So w

d spinning. "I don't have

r, there was a chilling calm in his voice. "

yes widened in shock. A small, ornate vial glinted in the dim light, filled

ngers, "is the catalyst. The key to unlocking everything. And yo

at is that?" she demanded, stru

hat can shape the fate of both our families. But it requires you." He paused, letting the weight of his

ng about?" she whispered, but the words fe

"This vial contains the essence of your bloodline. It's a symbo

shed her, and her mind struggled to make sense of it all. A power tied to her bloodline? She had spent her life in th

abella's voice trembled, betray

ory. "What I want," he said, "is simple. I want you to accept your fa

e sensation-a ripple in the very fabric of the moment.

around, her heart stopping when she saw the shadowy figure standing in

ible. He didn't look at her; his eyes were locked

ween them seemed to crackle with real tension. "I didn't exp

is eyes. "I should've let you handle it," he said, his voice l

de Isabella's stomach twist. "You don't contro

what she was becoming. She wasn't just stuck between two powerful families. She was

h painful force. His voice was a dangerous whisper in her ear. "It's too

t in her chest. The chill in the air grew stronger, and she could feel the weight of the vial in her mind, its dark promise

oice was low, demanding. "Help

make. But in that moment, the trut