Chapter 5 Bullets and Black Roses

"You should let her go. The lady said no, and you should respect that". Alessandro said in a low but dangerous voice, his hands balled into a fist.

Isabella's eyes swept over the tall, broad-shouldered man, her gaze lingering on his ripped arm as a shiver ran down her spine, a spark of recognition danced in her eyes.

He was handsome, sinful, absurdly handsome. He had short, jet-black hair, pushed back in a lazy sweep. High cheekbones, a strong jawline with a hint of a scar just below his left eye, tanned skin, intense blue eyes. He exuded confidence and power in his black suit, tailored to fit his muscular frame.

"Holy hell, this guy is hot," Isabella gulped. "Insanely hot, a very unnecessary distraction". She thought to herself.

She knew she had met this alpha god somewhere but her mind was too fuzzy from the alcohol in her system to think straight.

Luca's eyes bulged before he regained his composure.

"Who are you?" he spat, staring down atAlessandro.

Alessandro moved and stood in front of Isabella, took her hand in his, then looked directly into her eyes.

"I'm Alessandro, and she is with me" he said, his voice a low murmur, his eyes holding hers for a fleeting moment. Then he leaned down, his lips brushing the back of her hand. Electricity shot up her arm as his lips touched the back of her hands. Maybe it was the alcohol in her system, but for a moment, she almost believed him. She couldn't take her eyes off the handsome stranger that just staked his claim. A warm shiver ran down her spine.

Then out of the fog in her mind, she heard Luca's voice.

"If she's really your woman, you shouldn't let her run wild. Put your bitch on a leash." he lashed out.

Alessandro turned to him "What did you just say"?

Luca advanced towards Alessandro. "I said, get your bitch on a leash".

Before Isabella could blink, Luca's face was smashed on the table, but not by Alessandro, but by a man dressed in all black. She turned around and then realized she was surrounded by men who looked like guards, all dressed in black, watching the scene. Then a gunshot rang out, making Isabella jump in panic. There was a collective gasp among the audience. Chaos erupted as glasses shattered, bodies leaped, and panic screams filled the room.

Suddenly, a group of guys moved in their direction, toppling tables, and one of the men fired a shot at a bottle of wine in the bar, shattering it and causing the liquid to spill across the floor.

Isabella watched in shock as Alessandro's men fought ruthlessly with Luca's squad. A muscular man with a shaved head, one of Alessandro's guys, tackled an opponent and sent them flying into an adjacent booth. A second guard deftly took a knife-wielding thug's arm and twisted it until the weapon clattered to the ground. A thug lunged at Alessandro, but he easily sidestepped and delivered a strong punch to the attacker's gut. The man doubled over, gasping for breath, and Alessandro kicked him aside with a dismissive sneer.

Isabella could hear the grunts of pain, the sickening thuds of fists meeting flesh, and the sharp cries of those caught in the crossfire. Despite the mayhem, Alessandro remained calm, his eyes never leaving Isabella.

Alessandro's hand tightened on Isabella's "Stay with me," he barked, pulling her close as he weaved through the throng of people running to safety. Some of his men who were not fighting, formed a protective wall around them, their hands hovering near concealed weapons. Her heart pounded in her chest. As they reached the club exit, they could hear the sound of police sirens blaring away.

Alessandro pushed them through, urging her on with a silent command as they burst out of the club's exit.

Sirens could be heard blaring in the distance.

"Who are you?" she slurred, looking up at him in awe and attempting to push him away.

Alessandro sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I know you're angry and scared, but I'm trying to help you. Luca is dangerous, and you were in over your head back there."

"I was handling it," Isabella snapped.

"Sure you were," Alessandro replied dryly. "That's why I had to step in."

Isabella glared at him. "I didn't ask for your help."

Alessandro tightened his hold, his voice calm but firm. "You're coming with me."

"Let me go!" she yelled, her voice drawing attention. "I don't need a man to save me and I definitely do not need you!".

As she took a step in the opposite direction, a gunshot rang out, making her duck. Alessandro immediately sprang into action, grabbed her hand and as she turned, they collided against each other. They both froze, their eyes locked on each other as the air cackled with electricity. Then another shot rang out, jolting them from their reverie and Alessandro pushed Isabella to the floor and covered her with his body. Alessandro stared down at Isabella crouched beneath him. He could feel the heat radiating from their bodies in such proximity.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his eyes searching for any sign of discomfort. Isabella nodded. Then their eyes met again. Isabella gulped while Alessandro licked his lips. They remained like that for some seconds before Alessandro regained himself.

"We need to get out of here"

"I need to get my sister," Isabella replied.

"Your sister is in safer hands, I promise you" he said.

"You don't know that," Isabella said, her voice cracking.

"Trust me I do" he affirmed. Isabella ignored him and pushed against him, trying to stand up straight. "I don't trust you Alejandro."

"It's Alessandro," he huffed. Isabella ignored his protest and began to work towards the car park.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn, Chula" ?

"That's not my name Alejandro," Isabella replied intentionally, making Alessandro chuckle. She began to dial Camilla's number, but she did not pick it up.

"Boss, we need to leave now". One of Alessandro's men ran up to him.

"Chula, you have to make a choice now" Alessandro barked.

"My sister..." Isabella whispered, dread squeezing her throat.

Alessandro seemed to sense her fear. "Your sister is safe. We have people looking after her." He reassured her, his gaze never leaving hers.

"You have people?" Her voice rose, laced with a mixture of disbelief and anger. "Who are you, some kind of mob boss?".

A flicker of humor crossed Alessandro's face, a dangerous glint in his ocean blue eyes. "Not exactly," he said cryptically. Before she could pry further, one of his men, the one with the shaved head, materialized beside them.

"Boss," the man rasped, his voice urgent. "The back exit is compromised. We need to move right now."

"You could wait here for your sister, or you could make the right decision, your call." With that, he left with his gang members.

After about 10 seconds, Isabella called out.

"Fine, you win" She gritted out.

Alessandro halted in his tracks. A flicker of surprise flitted across Alessandro's face before a slow, genuine smile touched his lips. "You bet Chula," he replied.

"If anything happens to my sister, I'll hold you responsible," she threatened before she began to make her way to join them.

As they made their way to Alessandro's car, Isabella's mind raced. Who was this man who had appeared out of nowhere and claimed to protect her? Why did she feel a strange pull towards him despite her better judgment, and why did he look and feel awfully familiar to her? Then she remembered.