Isabella
The cold weight of the collar around my neck was a constant reminder of the contract-of him. Alessandro Ricci, my supposed husband, my jailer, my undoing. I yanked at the silk blouse he insisted I wear. His taste, his rules, his damn obsession with control.
“You’re late,” his voice drawled as I stepped into his office. No greeting, no warmth. Just that deep, cutting tone.
“I didn’t know we had a schedule,” I snapped back, slamming the door behind me. My heels echoed against the marble floor, but the sound was drowned out by his slow, calculated steps as he approached.
His lips curled into that infuriating smirk, the one that always made me want to slap him-and kiss him. “You always have a schedule with me, Bella. You just never learn to keep it.”
I crossed my arms, glaring at him. “Maybe I don’t want to play your game anymore.”
Alessandro stepped closer, so close I could smell his cologne-dark, spicy, suffocating. “Oh, you’re playing,” he whispered, his fingers grazing my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “You just hate that I’m the one winning.”
My breath hitched, but I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flinch. “Winning? Is that what you call it? Trapping me in this sham of a marriage? Controlling every inch of my life?”
“Trapping you?” His voice was a low growl now, his hand tightening ever so slightly under my chin. “You signed the contract, Bella. You agreed to this.”
“To save my family!” I spat, pulling away. The heat in my chest was unbearable now, the anger, the guilt, the attraction. “Don’t act like I had a choice.”
Alessandro’s laugh was dark, dangerous. “There’s always a choice, sweetheart. You just made the one that put you here. With me.”
My eyes burned, but I wouldn’t cry-not in front of him. “I hate you,” I hissed, the words tasting like poison on my tongue.
He leaned in, his breath brushing against my ear. “You hate how much you want me.”
I froze, my pulse pounding in my ears. He wasn’t wrong, and that infuriated me even more.
I turned away, needing space, needing air. But before I could step toward the door, his hand was on my wrist, firm but not painful. “We’re not done here.”
“Yes, we are,” I shot back, yanking my arm free. “I’m done playing this sick game, Alex. You can take your contract and-”
“You want to break the contract?” His voice stopped me cold. It wasn’t angry or mocking. It was… curious. Dangerous.
I faced him, my hands trembling. “Maybe I do.”
Alessandro tilted his head, studying me like I was some unsolvable puzzle. “Do you even know what breaking it would cost you?”
My stomach dropped. “What are you talking about?”
He walked to his desk, picking up a sleek black folder and tossing it onto the table between us. “Read it,” he said simply, his tone devoid of the usual taunting.
I hesitated, my fingers brushing over the cold leather. “What is this?”
“The part of the contract you missed,” he said, his expression unreadable. “The clause that ensures you’ll never leave me, Bella. Not unless you’re willing to destroy everything you love.”
I stared at him, my heart pounding. “You’re bluffing.”
“Am I?” His gaze burned into mine, and for the first time, I saw something deeper in those cold blue eyes-something dangerous and raw. “Go ahead, sweetheart. Open it. Let’s see how far you’re willing to go.”
My fingers hovered over the folder, my mind racing. If I opened it, there was no going back. If I didn’t, I’d never know the truth.
“Bella,” Alessandro’s voice was softer now, almost tender. “Make your choice.”
I swallowed hard, my hands trembling. With a deep breath, I flipped the folder open-and what I saw made my blood run cold.
Alex
Isabella was standing by the window when I entered. The dim light sliced through the curtains, casting shadows across her bare shoulders. Her back was to me, but I could feel the weight of her thoughts. Heavy. Chaotic. Just like mine.
“You didn’t knock,” she said, her voice soft but sharp enough to cut.
“I don’t knock in my house,” I replied, stepping closer. The room smelled of her perfume, light and sweet, but her presence burned like fire. She didn’t turn, not yet. That was her game-making me work for it.
“And yet, here you are,” she murmured, finally looking over her shoulder, her lips curling into a smirk. “What do you want, Alex?”
You. Every damn inch of you. But I didn’t say it. Not yet. “We need to talk.”
Her smirk faded. “We always do.”
I closed the distance between us, my steps slow, deliberate. Her breathing hitched-subtle, but I noticed. She always acted like she wasn’t affected by me, like my presence didn’t unravel her piece by piece. But I saw through the cracks.
“I told you to stay out of the Armand deal,” I said, my voice dropping.
Her eyes flashed. “And I told you I don’t take orders from you.”
“Careful, Isabella.” I let the warning linger in the air between us, thick and suffocating. “You’re walking a fine line.”
She tilted her head, defiant as ever. “You don’t own me, Alex.”
I laughed, low and dangerous. “Don’t I?” My hand found her chin, tilting her face toward mine. Her skin was warm, flushed. “You wear my collar. You sleep in my bed. Tell me again how you’re not mine.”
Her lips parted, but no words came out. Good. She didn’t need to speak. I could see it in her eyes-the war raging inside her. The part of her that wanted to fight and the part that wanted to surrender.
“You think this is about control?” she snapped, finally breaking the silence. “About some stupid power trip? You’re wrong, Alex.”
“Am I?” I stepped back, crossing my arms. “Enlighten me.”
“This… this isn’t real.” Her voice cracked, just a little. “It’s a game to you. A way to prove you’re untouchable. But you’re not. You’re just a scared little boy hiding behind your money and your threats.”
The words hit like a punch to the gut, but I didn’t flinch. “And you’re just a girl who’s too afraid to admit she likes the chains.”
Her hand flew up, but I caught her wrist before she could slap me. “Don’t,” I warned, my grip tightening. “You won’t win that way.”
She struggled, but I didn’t let go. Her pulse pounded under my fingers, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. The air between us crackled, electric and dangerous.
“Let me go,” she said, her voice shaking.
I leaned in, so close our breaths tangled. “Not until you admit it.”
“Admit what?” she spat, her eyes blazing.
“That you need me as much as I need you.”
Before she could respond, my phone buzzed on the table. I ignored it, my focus entirely on her. But it buzzed again. And again.
“Answer it,” she said, her voice trembling.
“No.”
“Alex-”
“Not until you say it.”
Her eyes softened, just for a moment. “I…”
The phone buzzed again, louder this time. Annoyed, I grabbed it, glancing at the screen. The message was short, but it was enough to send a chill down my spine.
“They know about her. Move fast.”
My grip tightened on the phone, the plastic groaning under the pressure. Isabella frowned, stepping closer. “What is it?”
I slipped the phone back into my pocket, forcing a calm I didn’t feel. “Nothing.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re lying.”
I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. Because the truth was, everything I’d built-every wall, every plan-was about to come crashing down.
“They’re coming for you, Bella,” I finally said, my voice low. “And I won’t let them take you.”
Her lips parted, but she didn’t speak. She didn’t need to. The fear in her eyes said it all.
I said, turning toward the door. “This isn’t over.”