Captive of the mafia boss

r, thick with the weight of unspoken threats. Isabella for

esence-an authority that made Isabella uneasy. Every instinct told her to fight,

him there, a silent shadow, but he didn't interfere. Maybe he couldn't. Maybe, just

oss from him. "Sit," he said, his

t refusing might be an even bigger one. Slowly, she stepped forward and lowered herself

n't trust me," he mused, almost amused by the thought. "Smart.

orcing strength into her vo

belong to this world more than you know." He leaned forward, his p

ker edge. "You are a part of this family now. Whether you like it or not. You're the

to let her fear show. "And what

head slightly, watching her reaction. "You can align yourself with Luca and cling to whateve

have a choice. But from where I'm sitting, it l

piece is moved by the players. A queen, howev

refused to let him see it. Instead, she met h

ith unspoken threats. Then, Maximus's smile faded.

r the DeMarcos were dangerous, but this... this was a different level of da

"He's weak. He's too tied to the past. You, Isabella, you can ch

. She wanted to believe Luca-wanted to believe that he was fighting for her

ore Maximus stood up, walking around the desk with a predatory gr

hat didn't reach his eyes. "But you don't. Your father's debts are already paid

e weight of the decision crushing her. She wasn't sure if she

now realized must have been some sort of enforcer-stepped forward.

it?" he

g about him-an aura of danger that made Isabella instinctively step back. He was tall, with broad shoulders and dark hair, we

is voice dip. "I've come t

. "Report? We'll get to t

eyes still locked on Isabella. "It's important. You need to know.

Someone inside his own ranks was working against him. That meant danger-un

atching her? Tracking her movements? Or was this betrayal something bigger

f there's a traitor in my ranks, it puts us all at risk." His voice dropped lower, his next wor

her was laced with danger, every choice a gamble. But one thing was becomin

rds to respond. What was she supposed to do now? She was caught in a game she d

id, sensing her hesitation. "But remember this: w

s turned back to him, a look of irritation crossin

lla, his eyes cold once again. "The clock is

in the center of the room, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt as t

game of survival. It w

hin his ranks, and the silent threat from the woman in the corner. Every moment she spent i

e heavy doors. The room tensed. Maximus's eyes da

, and Isabella's he

as a ghost from her past-someone