You belong to me Isabella Valenti

Isabella

"Who's there?" I turned swiftly, my chest tightening in fear.

"I ask again, who are you?" This time, I squinted trying to see someone but the darkness was doing me no good. Maybe I was just overthinking.

I blew the thin hair on my face forgetting how difficult that would be considering how wet it was due to the heavy downpour. A few steps forward, I heard footsteps again,which wasn't mine. I can't possibly be mistaken for the second time. Someone is after me. It was a really bad idea taking a late night walk in the quiet streets of Palermo, Sicily but you wouldn't blame me.

It's hard losing the man that was the backbone of the family. I just can't come in terms with how mysteriously he died. Damn! My father laid six feet in the ground now and there was nothing I could do to bring him back–Absolutely nothing.

"Shit!" I screamed as a sharp blade scraped against my arm, causing a shallow cut. I was right after all. I am no longer alone. Someone is after me. I turned once again, trying the second time to identify the culprit. The only thing helping my vision was the moon and the rain aiding my hearing.

"You f*cking vigliacco(coward)! Why not show your ugly face?!" I spat out, gritting my teeth in pain. I waited, expecting someone to come out but nothing.

"Fucking a**hole!" I yelped as another blade grazed the same arm. One thing registered in my head-This person wants me dead.

I took to my heels, running like my life depended on it and of course it did. The only thing I had in mind was to hide somewhere safe. I can't die now, not when my mom and little brother still needed me.

'You are no coward Isabella! You are the daughter of Don Rodrigo Valenti! You are to fear no one. Nessuno Isabella!' I came to a halt almost immediately. Dad's words rang in my ears and he was right. I am no coward!

I turned to see the person after me. Oops! People. I looked at the men in front of me, well built and ready for action. I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed.

"Can we stop with the Tom and Jerry game already?" I asked, trying to catch my breath.

"You have to come with us, Miss Isabella." One of the men with dirty blonde hair styled in a ponytail said. To think that they even knew my name. Wow!

"Unbelievable!" I scoffed, dramatically throwing my hands up in the air. "For a second I thought you were here to kill me." I looked at my injured arm, still dripping with blood. I need to get home faster and get this cut dressed.

"Like I said Miss, you have to come with us, either peacefully or we will have no option than to take you against your will." The same guy said again. I counted the men to see if I could take on all of them. I never knew I was that important for someone to bring seven men after me. It's no surprise, I expected this after the death of my father.

"What is your name again?" I pointed to the blonde hair guy. His brows etched in confusion but he replied anyway.

"Ian," He answered.

"Look Ian, I'm going nowhere with you. Go and tell that to whoever sent you." I crossed my arms on my chest, enjoying their scared and confused looks.

"The boss doesn't want her bruised." I heard one of the men whisper to Ian.

"We can't go empty handed either." This was getting interesting. Who is their boss and why does he or she want me captured?

"It is settled. We are taking you with us." Ian turned to face me, attempting to give me a scary look.

"You don't scare me, duh!" I rolled my eyes at him. "But if you want to take me against my will, go for it then. I just remembered I am the daughter of my father." I smirked, staring deep into Ian's eyes, my hands on my waist now. The rain seemed to be on my side as it came down heavily.

"Argh!" The only petite man in the group charged at me with a flurry of punches. I dodged the punches with ease and caught hold of his fisted hands.

"It's been a while since I did this. Did you send this little man as a test?" I inquired, smiling. I was caught off guard for sometime till I felt a sting on my cheek. It hurt, f*ck! I spat out blood as I twisted the fist in my hand.

"You should have kept your other hand in check, bastardo." The petite man fell to the ground, rolling and screaming while holding his twisted hand. It will be difficult to take on the others as they weren't like the first man.

The other men lurched at me throwing swift punches while I did my best to dodge and counterattack at every given opportunity.

"Damn!" I fell to my feet as a kick made contact with my leg. There is no way I'm giving up now. I can't let them take me, at least, not this easy. I got back on my feet hurriedly and delivered a knee to Ian's groin.

"Screw you!" He screamed. I watched in satisfaction, forgetting there were more men to finish. I feel my arms grabbed to my back and my knee forced to the ground.

"Hold her down!" Ian commanded. He must be their leader or something. "We will have to bundle her up to the boss." He growled, his face twitching in pain and his hand protecting his crotch from another possible hit. I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Take the damn lady away!" My laughter seemed to have annoyed him as he ordered his men who in turn lifted me to my feet, dragging me into the darkness. Is this how easy they are going to capture me? I feel too weak right now, very weak.

"You are not taking her away. Well.. unless you beat my ass up." That voice! I'd recognize it anywhere, anyday. I turned together with the men who held me and there he stood, with his unruly waves and piercing blue eyes, looking charming as ever under the dim moonlight. He was here to save me again, like he always did.

Isabella

"Alessandro," I called out, calmness settling deep within me. He moved forward slowly but steadily, his hands in his pocket. He winked at me and I couldn't help but smile in return. I noticed the grip on my arms loosen.

This was a good opportunity for me to escape.

With fluid movements, I kicked the stomach of the man who held my right hand, causing him to release his hold on me. The other guys charged on me while the man on my left tightened his grip on my left arm. I jabbed his nose and he released me immediately. I saw Alessandro join in, fighting the others.

My hair was yanked from behind making me scream in agony. The hold on my hair was released but the pain was still there. My scalp was burning.

"Grazie!" I shouted to Alessandro and returned to kicking some arses.

Moments later, whimpers of the men could be heard in the stillness of the night. Alessandro was still battling with Ian and I could tell none of them was willing to back down. Ian was momentarily distracted by the whimpers giving Alessandro the chance to give a sharp elbow to his jaw. Alessandro ran over to me, holding my hand as we took off.

"I didn't know you brought a car. Besides, how did you know where I was?" I inquired with raised brows as we got into the car.

"You seem to have forgotten I have a tracker on you." He smirks proudly. I hated the idea of my father having a tracker implanted in me but I was thankful he made that decision. Who knows? I would have been carried by some strange men to God knows where and I bet it would have been difficult to find me.

The people of the underground are ruthless. No single person had a heart. They all are cold hearted and kill their enemies without mercy and dad was no exception. Now that I think about the 'what ifs' surrounding his death, I can't help but wonder if he was killed by someone in the underground. Then again, how can that be possible? The mansion had tight security that would make invasion difficult for people.

"Who are those people and why are they after you?" Alessandro's question breaks through my thoughts.

"I have no clear idea but I think they were sent by someone probably from the underground to capture me." I sighed. "For a moment I was scared thinking they wanted me dead." Even though they were sent to capture me, what would my fate be in the hands of my captor if they had succeeded? I was born into a world full of darkness and now, I have to bear the consequences. I look out the window, my mind a jumbled mess of thoughts.

"We will get to the root of this but for now, that cut needs to be dressed." I had forgotten all about the cut on my arm but I was glad Alessandro remembered.

"We are here." He announced as the big black gate of the mansion opened allowing us access into the house. I stepped out of the car when it came to a stop.

"Welcome Ma'am!" The guards greeted in unison. I look around in surprise and then to Alessandro, wanting answers.

"I know you said we should allow them go back to their family but your mother disagreed. Moreover, they are happy to continue working for the Don's family." He explained running his hands through his hair. I stomped into the house angrily ignoring Alessandro's explanation.

Why would mom make them stay back? They have families out there. I don't want them risking their lives for nothing.

"Isa! Isa!" Alessandro screamed, running after me but I had no intention of stopping. He held my arm firmly and pulled me closer to him.

"Don't be in a rush to do anything Isa. Whatever decision Mrs. Ann makes is for the best." He tries explaining again.

"You don't seem to get it do you?" I shifted uneasily under his grip. "These people have families out there who are worried about them but they are here risking their lives to protect us!" I shouted.

"They are happy doing it, Isa." He pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly frustrated.

"Happy dying for us? How long are we going to have innocent blood on our hands?"

The darkness in this world is consuming. I don't want this life. I don't want people risking their lives for us!

"Alessandro," I sighed. "Just let me have a word with my mother. Those people out there–" I point to the exit. "They have to leave this place, they have families." I tried to break free from his hold but it was impossible.

He pushed me against the wall not too hard to injure me but enough to shock me.

"Don't do something you will regret later, Isa." There was barely any space between us. I could feel his hot breath on my skin. I suck in deep breath suddenly feeling too hot.

I trembled in his hold as his hand trailed my wet body then to my already hardened n*pples.

"Isa!" He growls, placing a kiss on my neck. I wonder what dad would have done if he ever got the hint that I was sleeping with his trusted guard. He would have been so disappointed but who cares? I've always had a crush on Alessandro ever since he stepped foot into this house. He was just so handsome and I never had a problem ending up on his bed.

I let out a startled gasp when his hands went inside my tube top and grab hold of my b**bs.

"Ales," I squirmed in discomfort. Noticing how uncomfortable I was feeling, he lifts me up while I wrap my legs around his torso. His lips on mine, kissing me softly but eagerly. The world around us seems to have disappeared leaving the both of us alone.

"What are you two doing?!" The voice echoed, bringing me back to my senses. I jumped off Alessandro in haste, pushing him away from me.

Lucas

"You were not able to capture a girl! Una ragazza!" I threw the glass angrily across the room. "You all are well trained men. You should have been able to take her with ease. You are all useless!" I moved closer to them.

"We are sorry sir, she beat us–" One of my men tried to say but I cut him off.

"She beat you!" I spat, my voice coming out as a growl. "You let a girl beat you up!" These people were useless. I moved to the man who had tried to speak. "That means you are useless to me!" I drew out my gun and shot him in the head.

"Thud!" He dropped dead, the others cowering in fear.

"Take his body away. I don't want to see any of you here if you don't want to be next!" I went back to my seat as the men scurried away in fear. I took out a cigar and was just about to light it when the door burst open.

"Lucas!" That annoying friend of mine was here. I ignored him and went ahead to puff the cigar.

"I called you Lucas!"

"What is it, Giovanni? You can't just enter this room shouting out my name." I calmly replied.

"You just killed one of your men!" He screamed, his eyes widening in surprise.

"So?" Is not like this is the first time he saw me put a bullet in a person's skull.

"So? He was one of your best men!" Giovanni pulled a chair and sat across from me. "You are acting unbothered."

"Do I need to be bothered about killing someone who is no longer useful to me?" I threw the cigar to the floor, stomping my feet on it to quench the fire. "They couldn't capture a girl Giovanni! Just one girl!" I lamented.

"We all know that one girl you wanted as a captive is not an ordinary girl. She is the daughter of a mafia boss and that alone will make it difficult to take her."

I needed Isabella here. That is the only way I can be at peace.

"Besides, why do you need that young lady? I've been thinking about it but nothing seems to be making sense. I know you had something against her father but not her." He furrowed his brows in confusion.

"I have my reasons and I won't stop until I have her here in my house." I stared into space, losing focus for a while.

"So what do you intend to do now that your plan failed?" He asked again.

I poured myself a glass of wine and took a sip. "I always have a plan B." I responded. "I've spent a long time planning on how to get to Isabella and now that the opportunity is here, I won't let it slide." I focused on drinking the wine, ignoring Giovanni's existence.

I wouldn't have had her followed all this while if I had no proper plan. I know exactly what to do and how to get her.

"Man! You are far gone in thoughts. Is she that important?" I stared briefly at him before averting my gaze to the wine on the desk. I am well aware of what he is trying to do– Getting me to blow my cover someway.

"She isn't!" I grit my teeth in anger.

"Woohoo! Chill man! Just kidding!" I pushed away my chair, standing to my feet. "I have to go and check on Sofia. She hasn't seen me today." I darted forward heading outside when Giovanni's voice stopped me.

"But it's late now and she should be sleeping now." He stopped a few steps behind me.

"I know." My tone finalizes everything.

Moments later, I came to a stop in front of the pink door and slightly pushed it open. Just like Giovanni said, Sofia was asleep. I dragged my feet to her bed and sat a little close to her. My hand finds its way to her silky hair.

"Baby," I called calmly. "Daddy is sorry for being too busy today." I sighed heavily, placing a light kiss on her forehead. "I will make it up to you." I covered her up with her duvet and switched off her lights. I turned to leave only to find Giovanni standing in the room.

"I thought you left already." I eyed him questioningly, dipping my hands into my pockets.

"Have some heart Lucas, it's late already. I bet you won't want to find me dead the next morning." He gave a cocky smile.

"I won't be surprised. On the contrary, I will be excited to get such wonderful news early in the morning." I countered. He gaped in surprise, his smile faltering.

"You are heartless!" He exclaimed, holding his chest and squeezing his face as if in pain, forgetting we were still in Sofia's room. I gave him a bone-chilling look shutting him out immediately but it didn't last long.

"You know–" He moved closer to me, poking his finger on my chest. "It surprises me how gentle you become whenever you are dealing with Sofia. She really is your weakness." He backs away, smirking.

I closed my eyes, Giovanni's words ringing in my ears. 'She really is your weakness.' He is right. Sofia is my debolezza and I will do anything to protect her.

"Why are you still here?" I opened my eyes to see him smiling like a weirdo.

"Nothing." I noticed how his countenance changed at the response. I knew something was bothering him.

"Spill!" A silent huff escapes his mouth.

"Lucas, don't you think it's time for Sofia to meet Gabriella." I stared intently at him and I know he regretted his question from the look in his eyes. A ferocious growl left my throat unknowingly, my fist clenching and unclenching. I close my eyes to calm the anger brewing within.

My eyes snapped open moments later causing Giovanni to move back in fear.

"Don't Giovanni! Don't you ever mention that name in this house! Ever!"

At this moment, I cared less about the little girl sleeping in the room. I stormed out angrily, leaving Giovanni in there. A name I have come to despise – Gabriella!