No One But Isabella

oors, swirled throughout. The air was heavy with expensive perfumes and the faintest tang of cigar smoke. A sea of men in tailored suits, women in glittering gowns spoke in huddles amids

t on influential men and women who had shown up to give homage to Vegas. He moved with confidence through the crowd that parted easily and commanded th

lla M

riage rivaling the grace of an ethereal, supernatural creature. Her dark hair flowed upward in a delicate updo, several strands framing her face. Her dress, in

s mind escaping into the though

hing to him. Something in her, be it the sharpness of her mind, her poise, or the way she seemed to look rig

her on out of his brain, but no use. She was an obsession, a voice within the mind. Her fighting spirit he admired - ye

t powerful in Europe. Alejandro had heard the stories of how Giovanni had grown his empire from nothing, of how he had crushed an

head of the Vegas cartel, who is on the verge of retirement They were allies, at least to all appearances, but Alejandro

world, how to play a role that had been expected from her. Yet Alejandro could see it in the tension of her shoulders, in the w

jolt that sent a blue spark through Alejandro's body. It was if the rest of the room had melted away, and only th

anned the flame. He wanted her, more than he had ever wanted anything in his li

ew words were ever wasted by him, but his keen eyes never missed anything. He'd b

k," Alejandro said i

ying with fire, Alejandro. Giovanni Moretti isn

his words brooking no argu

lejandro when he set his mind. Once Alejandro started on something in his mi

other guests with politeness-smiles yet kept them in arm's length. She was a woman who knew h

near her without raising suspicions from Giovanni. It would take time, patience, and careful planning.

ulder; his gaze once more found Isabella. She stood by the great staircase, her hand lightly laid on the banister. For a se

The image of Isabella walking away from him burned into his mind, f

small second when their eyes met again and again. He could feel the intensity in her gaze - that it had almost p

seen? And most importantly, w

animal lust. Always before, pride in himself lay with being one cool cat. Whatever came, whatever went, nothing shook Alejandro.

ard, fighting the urge to show his anxiety. He just couldn't afford to l

a fortress, a place to which Alejandro could retreat from the dangers of the outside worl

s no sound in the house except the gentle, mechanical ticking of the clock somewhere in

om Giovanni. But how? The Moretti estate was a fortress, even more guarded than his o

ething, he felt, had flashed into her eyes that he couldn't quite place - something cu

nterfere with judgment. He must think clearly and approach this matter with the sa

s the only thing that could work. He knew he had to infiltrate the Moretti estate, get closer to Isabella without her f

number. After a few rings, a voice h

even and low. "I need you to get the guy

ld practically hear the doubt in Mateo's voice. "Alej

n, his voice admitting no o

," he said finally. "I'll round up the men. But b

the risks, but he also knew he could not just let Isabella slip through his fingers

He had to get information, survey the Moretti estate and all its security, find a way to get closer

t. Wait and plan. Until the time

ow, Alejandro got up and walked to his bedroom. He knew sleep would be hard t

just one thought inside his head, recurring: he was