Isla woke the next morning feeling the weight of the red dress still lingering on her skin. It was a tangible reminder of Dante’s possessiveness, and the way he had looked at her the night before sent her heart racing. She needed space, a moment to gather her thoughts without the constant pressure of his intensity suffocating her.
Determined to regain some semblance of control, she devised a plan. The mansion was sprawling, filled with endless corridors and rooms, and she was sure she could find a place to hide from him – even if just for a little while.
After breakfast, Isla slipped out of her room and made her way through the grand halls, quietly navigating the shadows. She caught sight of Dante in the distance, his tall figure silhouetted against the bright light streaming in from the large windows of his office. Her heart raced as she ducked behind a large potted plant, watching him with a mix of trepidation and curiosity.
“Isla,” Dante called, his voice echoing through the hall, making her jump. “Where are you hiding?”
She pressed herself further against the plant, biting her lip to stifle a laugh. He was relentless, and part of her was thrilled at the chase. She watched him scan the area, his brow furrowing in concentration. It was amusing to see him searching for her like a child looking for their favorite toy.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are,” he teased, a playful smirk creeping onto his face.
Isla stifled her giggle and made a run for it, darting down another corridor. She could hear his footsteps behind her, gaining speed, and the thrill of the chase fueled her determination to escape.
She dashed into the library, quickly slipping behind a tall shelf filled with leather-bound books. Holding her breath, she peered out, hoping he wouldn’t find her. Dante entered the library moments later, his expression a mix of amusement and determination.
“Isla,” he called again, this time more softly, “you can’t hide from me. You know I always find what I’m looking for.”
Isla’s heart raced as she watched him move through the room, his dark eyes scanning the shelves, searching for any sign of her. She couldn’t help but smile at his efforts; it felt like a game, one she was determined to win.
“What’s wrong? Afraid I’ll see you in that red dress again?” he teased, glancing around. “I promise I won’t bite… unless you want me to.”
Her cheeks flushed at his words, and she bit her lip, trying to suppress another laugh. The tension between them was palpable, but in this moment, there was an air of playfulness that Isla couldn’t ignore.
As she watched him, she felt a twinge of guilt. She was enjoying the chase, enjoying teasing him – but she also knew it was a distraction from the chaos of her emotions. The power he held over her was terrifying, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that every time she let her guard down, she risked getting hurt.
Dante moved closer to her hiding spot, and she held her breath, her heart pounding. “You really think you can hide from me?” he mused, his voice dropping to a low rumble. “I know you too well, Isla.”
With a swift motion, he reached behind the shelf and pulled her out, easily lifting her into the air. “Got you!” he declared triumphantly, his laughter filling the room.
Isla squealed, surprised by his sudden movement. “Dante! Put me down!”
“Not a chance,” he replied, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. “I’ve been looking for you. You can’t just run away from me like this.”
“You make it sound so easy!” she retorted, a spark of defiance in her eyes. “I just wanted a moment to myself.”
Dante set her down, but kept his hands on her shoulders, his grip firm yet gentle. “Why do you feel the need to hide? I’m not going to hurt you, Isla. I only want to understand you.”
Isla looked up at him, her heart caught between frustration and something warmer. “You say that, but it doesn’t feel like it. You’re always watching me, always expecting me to conform to your ideas of who I should be.”
“I’m not trying to change you,” he said, his voice softening. “I’m trying to protect you. The world I live in is dangerous, and I want you to be safe.”
She scoffed, stepping back slightly to break his hold. “And you think making me wear revealing clothes is protecting me? You’re just trying to stake your claim on me.”
Dante’s expression hardened, and a flicker of anger flashed in his eyes. “This isn’t just about you, Isla. You’re in my world now, and that comes with certain expectations. It’s not a game. It’s survival.”
“Survival?” she echoed incredulously. “This is more like a prison! You act like I should be grateful for this life, but I’m not. I didn’t choose this!”
“Neither did I,” he shot back, his tone fierce. “But I’ve made my choices, and I’m trying to give you a choice in this too. You may not see it yet, but I’m doing this for both of us.”
The air between them thickened with tension, each refusing to back down. For a moment, they stood there, staring at each other, the weight of their circumstances hanging heavily in the silence.
Finally, Isla broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know if I can trust you, Dante.”
His expression softened, and he stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Trust is earned, Isla. I understand that. But I promise you, I will never let anyone hurt you. You can fight me, but in the end, I will always be here to protect you.”
Her heart fluttered at his words, but the fear of being trapped in this world loomed over her. “But at what cost?” she asked, her voice trembling. “What if I don’t want to be a part of this?”
Dante’s gaze turned serious, his grip on her shoulders tightening slightly. “Then you need to understand what you’re up against. This is more than just a game, and I won’t allow anyone to take what’s mine. Not now, not ever.”
“Yours?” she repeated, feeling a surge of anger. “I’m not an object, Dante. I’m a person with my own will, my own desires.”
He stepped back, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “I know that. But you need to understand the position you’re in. There are people who would exploit you, hurt you to get to me. I won’t let that happen.”
Isla felt a pang of sympathy for him, seeing the fierce determination in his eyes. “I get it. But you can’t just impose your will on me. You have to let me choose.”
“Fine,” he relented, his voice dropping to a softer tone. “I’ll let you choose. But I want you to wear what I picked out for you tonight. Just this once. Show me that you can trust me.”
She hesitated, weighing her options. “And if I refuse?”
“Then I’ll have to find a way to change your mind,” he replied, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.
Isla crossed her arms, contemplating the tension between them. “And how do you plan to do that?”
With a sly grin, he leaned closer, his lips brushing against her ear. “I’ll make you see just how good it feels to be mine. To let go and embrace this life.”
She shivered at his words, her resolve wavering. “You think you can charm me into submission?”
“I don’t need to charm you, Isla,” he said, pulling back to meet her gaze, his eyes dark and intense. “You’re already drawn to me. Just give in to it.”
Before she could respond, the door swung open, interrupting their moment. One of Dante’s men entered, a look of urgency on his face. “Dante, we have a situation.”
Dante’s expression shifted immediately, a storm brewing behind his eyes. “What is it?”
“There’s been a breach at the warehouse. We need to handle it now,” the man said, glancing at Isla before returning his focus to Dante.
“Go,” Dante commanded, his tone firm. “I’ll be there in a moment.”
As the man exited, Dante turned back to Isla, a fierce intensity in his gaze. “I have to go. But remember what I said. I’ll be back, and we will continue this conversation.”
Isla’s heart raced as he walked toward the door, feeling the weight of his presence leave the room. “Dante!” she called out just as he reached the threshold.
He paused and looked back, his expression softening. “Yes?”
“Just be careful, okay?” she said, her voice wavering.
His lips curled into a smile, a genuine warmth illuminating his features. “Always, Isla. And don’t forget about tonight.”