The devil's heir

The devil's invitation

The rain had stopped before dawn.

The Romano estate stood silent beneath a blanket of silver mist, its towering walls rising like an ancient fortress against the pale morning sky. From her bedroom window, Isabella Moretti stared across the sprawling gardens, unable to shake the unease that had settled deep in her chest.

She hadn't slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him.

Luca Romano.

Those cold gray eyes.

That dangerous smile.

The way he had looked at her as though he already owned every secret she had ever kept.

She hated him.

Or at least she wanted to.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Miss Isabella?" Rosa's gentle voice came through the door.

"You may come in."

The elderly housekeeper entered carrying a breakfast tray filled with fresh bread, fruit, coffee, and scrambled eggs.

"You should eat."

"I'm not hungry."

"You'll need your strength."

Isabella looked up.

"For what?"

Rosa hesitated before answering.

"The family breakfast."

"I don't eat with strangers."

"You do now."

The words weren't cruel.

They were simply true.

Rosa placed the tray on the table and gave Isabella a sympathetic smile.

"Mr. Romano dislikes people arriving late."

"I don't particularly care what Mr. Romano dislikes."

Rosa sighed.

"I said the same thing once."

Isabella blinked.

"You worked for him before?"

"I've worked for the Romano family for thirty years."

Thirty years.

Long enough to know every secret hidden within these walls.

Long enough to fear them.

Rosa quietly left the room.

Isabella remained frozen for another minute before finally forcing herself out of bed.

She wasn't here by choice.

She reminded herself of that with every step.

She dressed simply in a cream blouse and black trousers before tying her hair into a neat ponytail.

No jewelry.

No makeup.

No attempt to impress anyone.

Especially Luca Romano.

—

The dining hall was enormous.

Sunlight poured through towering stained-glass windows, casting colors across the polished marble floor.

A table long enough to seat twenty people occupied the center of the room.

Only four seats were occupied.

Luca sat at the head.

To his right sat an elderly man dressed in an expensive navy suit, his silver hair perfectly combed despite his age.

Across from him sat a young woman with sharp green eyes and elegant features.

She looked about Isabella's age.

Everyone stopped talking when Isabella entered.

Luca slowly looked up from his coffee.

"You're three minutes late."

"I wasn't aware this was school."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"It isn't."

"Then don't treat me like a child."

The elderly man chuckled softly.

"I like her already."

Luca ignored him.

"Sit."

Isabella deliberately chose the seat farthest from Luca.

The young woman laughed.

"Trying to stay away from him?"

"I'm trying to enjoy breakfast."

"I'm Sofia Romano."

She extended a hand.

"Luca's younger sister."

Isabella shook it.

"Isabella."

"I know."

The elderly gentleman smiled warmly.

"And I'm Vittorio Romano."

Luca finally spoke.

"My grandfather."

Unlike Luca, Vittorio's smile felt genuine.

"I've heard wonderful things about you."

"I doubt that."

"I've heard you're stubborn."

"I am."

"I've heard you're brave."

"I try."

"I've heard you slapped a politician during university."

Isabella nearly dropped her fork.

"Who told you that?"

Sofia burst into laughter.

"Oh, they really investigated you."

Luca calmly buttered his toast.

"I don't invite strangers into my home without learning who they are."

"So you spied on me."

"I gathered information."

"That's spying."

"It's intelligence."

She leaned forward.

"It's creepy."

"It kept my family alive."

Silence settled over the table.

Even Sofia stopped smiling.

For the first time, Isabella noticed something behind Luca's calm expression.

Exhaustion.

Pain.

Years of carrying responsibilities no ordinary man should bear.

Then it vanished.

As though she'd imagined it.

—

Breakfast ended quickly.

Everyone dispersed except Luca.

"Walk with me."

"Is that an order?"

"Yes."

She sighed dramatically.

"I hate orders."

"I know."

He led her through endless corridors lined with priceless paintings and antique statues.

Eventually they stepped into a private library.

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves surrounded them.

A fire crackled quietly in the fireplace.

Luca closed the door.

"We need to discuss yesterday."

"I remember yesterday perfectly."

"I don't think you do."

He walked toward one of the windows overlooking the gardens.

"My enemies know you exist."

She folded her arms.

"So?"

"They'll assume you're important."

"I'm not."

"They won't care."

"What exactly do you do?"

He didn't answer.

"What kind of business creates enemies like yours?"

Still silence.

"Luca."

Finally he turned.

"There are things you cannot know."

"I hate secrets."

"They keep people alive."

"I'm tired of hearing that."

"So am I."

Their eyes locked.

Neither looked away.

Finally Isabella spoke quietly.

"My father worked for you."

"Yes."

"What exactly did he do?"

Luca remained silent for several seconds.

"He protected something."

"What?"

"You."

The single word echoed through the library.

"My father protected me?"

"Since the day you were born."

"From who?"

His jaw tightened.

"The people who killed your mother."

Her heart stopped.

"My mother died in a car accident."

"No."

She stared at him.

"No?"

"They wanted everyone to believe it was an accident."

The room suddenly felt too small.

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying your mother was murdered."

Every memory Isabella had shattered in an instant.

The funeral.

The newspaper reports.

Her father's tears.

The police investigation.

None of it made sense anymore.

"You're lying."

"I wish I were."

She backed away.

"No."

"Isabella—"

"No!"

She grabbed the nearest book from a shelf and threw it across the room.

It slammed into the wall.

"You don't get to rewrite my life!"

Luca didn't move.

"You asked me the truth."

"I don't believe you."

"You will."

"I'll never believe anything that comes out of your mouth."

She stormed toward the door.

Before she reached it, Luca spoke again.

"There are files."

She stopped.

"What?"

"Your father left evidence."

Her hand froze on the doorknob.

"He knew he might die before telling you everything."

Slowly she turned around.

"What evidence?"

"I'll show you."

"When?"

"When you're ready."

"I'm ready now."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because once you read those files..."

He stepped closer.

"...there's no going back."

His voice carried no threat.

Only certainty.

For the first time since meeting him, Isabella saw something frightening.

Not the ruthless mafia boss.

Not the feared leader.

A man carrying a burden so heavy it had changed him forever.

Outside, thunder rumbled once more.

Far beyond the estate gates, hidden in the shadows of the forest, a black SUV watched the mansion through high-powered binoculars.

A man lowered the binoculars and smiled.

"So," he whispered.

"The girl is finally here."

He picked up his phone.

"Tell the boss."

A pause.

"Phase two begins tonight."

The line went dead.

The hunt had officially begun.