Chapter 4 A Dangerous Bargain

Isabella

The rough texture of the rope had left angry red marks around my wrists, and as Matteo finally cut through them, the relief was fleeting. His blade moved with precision, too close to my skin for comfort, but he didn't slip-not that I expected him to. I pulled my hands close to my chest, rubbing at the soreness, but my gaze never left his. He towered over me, his dark eyes watching, waiting.

"Eat," he said, gesturing to the tray on the table. His tone was calm, but I could hear the edge beneath it.

I glanced at the untouched plate and scoffed. "Not hungry."

His lips twitched in amusement. "You're stubborn. I'll give you that."

I crossed my arms, refusing to respond.

Matteo's eyes swept over me, calculating. "Suit yourself," he muttered before turning on his heel. "Starving won't change your situation."

I clenched my fists, anger bubbling beneath my skin as the door clicked shut behind him. My stomach growled in protest, but I refused to touch the food. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

---

Matteo

I didn't have to check the camera feed to know she was still sitting there, staring at the food like it had personally offended her.

"She's got a hell of a spine," Angelo said, standing by the door with his arms crossed. "Three days and she's still not caving."

I smirked, not looking up from the files on my desk. "She will."

Enzo walked in, holding a thick folder, his grin sharp. "Boss, you'll want to see this."

I flipped it open, my eyes scanning the details. My smirk widened. "Well, well... looks like our little princess is engaged."

Angelo whistled low. "Giovanni Visconti, huh? Damn, her daddy's ambitious."

I leaned back in my chair, tapping a finger against my chin. "Of course he is. The Romanos and the Viscontis joining forces would make them untouchable."

Enzo grinned. "What do we do with this?"

I tossed the folder onto the desk and stood, rolling my shoulders. "We use it."

Angelo raised a brow. "Think she knows?"

I chuckled. "Not a chance."

I found her exactly where I left her-sitting stiffly on the edge of the bed, eyes locked on the tray. She glanced up as I walked in, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"You're wasting away, princess," I said, closing the door behind me. "Starting to think you don't appreciate my hospitality."

She glared at me but didn't respond.

I sighed dramatically, pulling a folded paper from my jacket and tossing it onto the table. "Thought you might want to see this."

Her brows knitted together as she hesitated before picking it up. I watched as her expression shifted, the color draining from her face. Her hands trembled slightly, but her voice was sharp.

"This... this isn't real," she said, her eyes snapping to mine.

I smirked. "Oh, it's real. Your father promised you to Giovanni Visconti. Nice catch, huh?"

Her jaw tightened, the paper crumpling in her fists. "Why are you showing me this?"

I leaned against the wall, enjoying the fury simmering in her gaze. "Because I think it's hilarious. You didn't know, did you?"

Her silence was answer enough. I laughed, shaking my head. "Poor Isabella. Daddy didn't tell you he was selling you off like a prized possession?"

She shot to her feet, fire in her eyes. "I'm not some bargaining chip!"

I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "In our world, princess, that's exactly what you are."

Her breathing was ragged, but she held my gaze. "What do you want from me?"

I tilted my head. "Everything."

She swallowed hard but didn't back down. "I'll never help you."

I grinned. "We'll see."

---

Alessandro Romano

The tension in the study was thick. Luca stood by the window, pacing back and forth, while I sat behind my desk, staring at the maps spread across the surface.

"We need to move now," Luca said, his voice sharp. "Every second we waste gives Matteo more control."

I didn't look up. "We can't go in blind. Matteo's expecting us to make a move."

Luca slammed his hand on the desk. "And what if he-"

The shrill ring of the phone cut him off. I picked it up, my voice calm. "Romano."

"Alessandro," Giovanni Visconti's smooth voice filled the line. "I heard troubling news."

I gritted my teeth. "It's being handled."

Giovanni chuckled darkly. "Handled? Your daughter is missing, and yet you expect me to believe everything is under control?"

I closed my eyes, forcing my voice to remain steady. "Isabella will be back soon. The deal stands."

A long pause followed before Giovanni spoke again. "See that it does. I don't like being made a fool, Alessandro."

The line went dead, and I set the phone down with more force than necessary.

Luca stared at me. "Giovanni's patience won't last forever."

I nodded slowly. "Then let's make sure he doesn't have to wait."

---

Matteo

I watched Isabella through the camera feed, pacing in her room, the crumpled contract still clenched in her fist.

"She's starting to break," Angelo said from beside me.

I smirked. "Not yet. But soon."

Enzo walked in, his face serious. "Romano's making moves. They're gathering men."

I leaned back in my chair. "Let them come. We'll be ready."

Angelo grinned. "And what about Giovanni?"

I chuckled. "Giovanni will get his answer soon enough."

---

Isabella

I couldn't sit still. The room felt smaller by the second, and the weight of the marriage contract in my hand was suffocating. My father had promised me to Giovanni Visconti without even telling me.

I took a deep breath, trying to think. Matteo wanted me rattled, wanted me broken, I couldn't let him win.

The door creaked open, and Matteo sauntered in, leaning against the wall with that infuriating smirk.

"Ready to talk yet?" he asked.

I glared at him. "You think this changes anything?"

He chuckled. "It changes everything."

I crossed my arms. "You're wasting your time."

He pushed off the wall and took a step closer. "Am I?"

I swallowed hard but didn't back down. "You'll regret keeping me here."

His smirk grew. "Doubt it."

I clenched my fists. "I'm not scared of you."

He leaned in, his breath warm against my skin. "You should be."

My pulse raced, but I refused to let him see it. "Let me go."

He pulled back, his eyes dark with amusement. "Not a chance, princess."

Back at my father's mansion, Luca was gathering men, and Giovanni was losing patience. But here, trapped in Matteo's den, I knew one thing for sure-no one was coming for me fast enough.

And I was running out of time.