Chapter 3 The Meeting

The air of the night was cool, Izzy stood in the doorway as her eyes rested on the shiny black car that was coming to a stop at the front of the estate. The headlights broke through the darkness and cast long shadows across the driveway. Her chest throbbed with her heart. She wanted to turn around, close the door and act like nothing of this sort ever happened-part of her. But another part, the part that had always been drawn to danger, to power wanted to step outside and face whatever was coming

Of course the challenge was not something she could shy away from. But it was not just any challenge for that matter. This was Santino DeLuca.

There were footsteps coming up the hallway behind her and she turned around to see Giovanni standing at the top of the stairway, his face full of worry.

"Izzy, what are you doing? You can't" He cut off as he caught the resolute expression on her face. "Are you meeting him?"

Izzy was silent for a while. She simply took a deep breath and walked out of the doorway. Her brother's voice followed her, but she did not break.

"Izzy!" Giovanni's voice was louder now, laced with frustration and fear. "This is a mistake. You don't understand what you're getting into. You"

"I know exactly what I'm getting into, Giovanni." Her tone was strong, her spine rigid as she turned to look at him one last time. "I'm not hiding anymore. I need to know what this is all about."

"You don't have to prove anything," Giovanni said sharply. "This is not a game, Izzy. Luca is dangerous. His family is not based on the same rules as we are."

Izzy felt a sharp pang of irritation. "I know how the DeLucas play, but I'm not scared of him."

"If Santino wants something from me, I'll find out what it is on my own."

Giovanni's eyes darkened with worry but nothing more came from him. He simply turned his back and went upstairs again. Izzy heard him mumbling, but she couldn't catch the words. She was already walking toward the driveway, thinking about the meeting ahead.

The car door opened, and Santino DeLuca emerged, tall and imposing in a dark suit that almost vanished in the night. His gaze fell on hers instantly, a faint smile curving his lips.

"Miss Moretti," he said, his voice silky and tranquil as if the whole history between them wasn't ruled by blood feuds and power struggles. "I'm glad you could come."

Izzy didn't return the smile. "I didn't come here because I wanted to. I was because you wouldn't stop until I did."

Santino's smirk widened a little more. "I'm persistent. I always get what I want." He stepped closer, his aura palpable. "You don't mind taking a drive with me, do you? I promise I won't bite." he said.

"I don't think so," Izzy said, crossing her arms and not budging. "I stand badly being manipulated, Luca. And if this is some sort of game to you"

Santino's face hardened for a second, but then the glimmer of amusement returned to his eyes again. "If I were into playing games, Izzy, you'd be in my bed by now. This is business. Well, actually it's more than that. But I think you'll get it once we talk."

Izzy hesitated. She was already out of her front door, and part of her knew that this conversation, whatever it was, was inevitable.

"Fine," she said, nodding toward the car. "Let's talk."

Santino directed her to the rear of the vehicle, where a black SUV was waiting. He opened the door for her in a show of exaggerated courtesy, and Izzy hesitated for only a moment before climbing into the seat. The door shut behind her, and she looked out the window to see Giovanni watching from the front door. She could feel his eyes on her, filled with warnings and unspoken threats. But this wasn't his decision anymore.

Santino slid in beside her and the car began to glide pretty smoothly down the street.

It was a silent drive for the next few moments. Izzy could feel and sense the tension building between them, the weight of his gaze never leaving her. The gentle thrum of the engine was not enough to drown out the moment until Santino finally spoke.

"Do you know why I called you tonight?" he inquired, his voice low and velvety like the type that made it impossible to refuse.

Izzy flicked her eyes to him for a second and then looked straight back at the road. "I guess it has something to do with my family or maybe just me."

Santino chuckled under his breath. He replied in the same tone. 'It's more than just that. But it's more than that'. Santino stood up a little moving closer to her still sitting on his seat. 'I think you've been given the wrong story about DeLucas or let me say about me. Your family has painted us as the enemy, but the truth is far much more complex'.

Izzy's brow furrowed. "Complicated? How?"

She felt his eyes on her and she waited until his look moved away to the screen before he talked once more. "You see, Izzy, this conflict that exists between our families? It is not power sharing. It is not even territory. You know what it is? It is survival. For a long time now the DeLuca family has been in a ceaseless battle just to retain their positions in this city, now it has reached its breaking point and your family whether you realize it or not is part of the equation."

Izzy looked at him, trying to grasp his words. "What does that supposed to mean? Why are you telling me this?"

"Because, Izzy, I think you have the power to change things," Santino said, his voice getting serious now. "I've been watching you. You're not like the others. You're clever and very determined. Most importantly, you do not hesitate to challenge your brother and the family's thought process. That makes you pretty important."

Izzy's pulse quickened. "You're not asking me to join you, are you?"

Luca's lips curled into a smile, but it wasn't funny. "Not yet, but I'm asking you to help me. To ensure your family doesn't keep me at war because if that happens, there won't be a family for anyone. Your brother is blind to that, but I guess you see it."

Izzy shook her head, trying to take in all he was saying. "Why should I help you then? After everything the DeLucas have done to my family?"

Santino's gaze softened for a split second. "Because, Izzy, the enemy is not always what you think it is. Sometimes it's the people you thought you could trust the most who are just holding you back."

A shiver ran suddenly down her spine. She turned to face him fully now, and her breath was slightly faster than usual. "What do you mean by that?"

The faint smile of Santino was almost too knowing "You will understand it later on."

The car slowed while taking a turn into an unrecognized alley, the atmosphere inside inarguably dense with tension. Santino didn't speak anymore as the car finally stopped before some non-public premises, its windows obscured. The air was electric, tinged with something she could not quite identify.

"Where are we?" Izzy asked, her voice tight with uncertainty.

Santino turned toward her, his eyes hot. "You'll see what I mean. Just follow my lead."

The door opened, and in its light a figure moved out of the shadows and stood before them.