ISABELLA

Chapter 46

I carefully hung the dress and began preparing, each movement deliberate. I could feel his presence even when he wasn’t in the room—an invisible weight, a tether that pulled me closer, whether I wanted it or not.

I stood in front of the mirror, carefully smoothing the fabric of the gown over my shoulders. The soft baby pink hugged my figure in all the right places, the back dipping elegantly down to my waist, tied with a delicate bow that made me feel… exposed, but beautiful. I ran a hand over the material, taking in the reflection that Leo would soon see, my heart pounding at the thought.

The sudden click of the door made me jump.

“Oh, come on,” I muttered under my breath. “Who doesn’t knock?”

Sabrina walked in without hesitation, her heels clicking softly against the floor. She was impeccably dressed as always, her eyes scanning me from head to toe.

“Well, well…” she began, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Is this the little Russian seductress Leo has been keeping hidden?”

I froze. “Excuse me?” My tone was sharp, defensive, though I could feel my face heating up.

She leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed. “You know… Russians have this… charm. Always slipping into people’s hearts, making them weak. And here you are, in that baby pink thing, practically screaming for attention.”

I looked down at the dress, then back at her. “This is… it’s for tonight. Leo asked me to wear it. And it’s not about seducing anyone—it’s a dress. That’s it.”

Sabrina laughed lightly, a teasing, sharp sound that made my stomach twist. “Sure, darling. Just a dress. Right. You’ll see… he’ll be wrapped around your finger by the time dinner’s over. And trust me, I know Leo. I’ve known him since we were kids.”

I tried to keep my composure, adjusting the bow at my waist. “Look, I’m not here to… compete with anyone. I just… I’m wearing what he wants me to wear. That’s all.”

Sabrina smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Just remember, sweetie… I know what Leo likes, and this little show you’re putting on… it might just work on him. But don’t get too comfortable. This mansion has rules, and I’ve been around long enough to know how this works.”

I narrowed my eyes, but she didn’t seem intimidated. Instead, she gave a playful shrug and turned to leave. “Oh, and one more thing—don’t think I don’t notice Russians slipping into his life. I’ve got eyes everywhere.”

The door clicked shut, leaving me alone again. I took a deep breath, smoothing the dress one last time and running my fingers along the soft bow at my waist. Sabrina’s words stung, but… deep down, I felt a thrill. Leo would see me in this dress, and all I wanted was for him to notice me—no games, no plans, just… him.

Leo’s pov

I stepped into her room, expecting to find her fidgeting, nervous, maybe adjusting the dress Matteo had given her.

She was standing in front of the mirror, the baby pink gown hugging her figure perfectly. The back dipped elegantly down to her waist, the delicate bow accentuating her form. My breath hitched, a sharp, dangerous edge cutting through me.

“Mamma mia… sei bellissima,” I muttered under my breath, my voice rough, low. “You’re… beautiful.”

She turned at the sound of my voice, and I saw the mix of nerves and anticipation in her eyes. I didn’t give her a chance to react further. I grabbed her hand gently but firmly, pulling her toward the door.

“Vieni con me,” I said, my tone sharp but almost reverent. “Come with me.”

Her pulse seemed to quicken as we left her room. I could feel every heartbeat between us, the tension thick and intoxicating. Downstairs, Matteo and a few of my men were already waiting, their eyes widening slightly at her presence. Even Matteo, who was used to the kind of women who moved in high society circles, looked momentarily stunned.

“Non permetterò a nessuno—nessuno—di guardarla nel modo sbagliato.”I muttered in Italian, my tone ice-cold. “Se qualcuno osa… io… rimuoverò i loro occhi.”

(I will not let anyone—anyone—lay eyes on her the wrong way, If anyone dares… I will remove their eyes.)

Her eyes widened in confusion. “Wait… what?”

I didn’t translate. I didn’t need to. The threat was clear in the way my hands tightened around hers and the dangerous heat in my gaze. She didn’t understand, but the weight behind my words was enough to silence any curiosity or inappropriate thoughts.

We continued down the stairs, her heels clicking softly against the marble, my grip still firm on her hand. Everyone else quickly averted their eyes, sensing the storm I carried with me.

As we reached the car, I leaned close, whispering in her ear, my voice low and possessive: “Stay close. Do not look at anyone but me.”

Her breath hitched, and I could feel the small tremble in her hand. She didn’t understand the language, didn’t understand the threat, but she understood me. She felt me.

And that was all that mattered.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

The engine purred beneath me as I guided the car out of the driveway, my eyes never leaving Isabella. She sat beside me, hands folded neatly in her lap, eyes flicking nervously to the passing city lights. Her presence demanded attention, yet I had to stay focused. The streets of Milan weren’t safe—not tonight, not with Dante Moretti and his men stirring trouble somewhere in the shadows.

I stole a glance at her. The pink gown still hug her form in a way that made my chest tighten. Every inch of her radiated elegance, innocence, and a hint of defiance. She was beautiful. More than beautiful. She was mine to protect. And that thought burned hotter than the engine beneath me.

“Is everything alright?” I asked, my voice low, calm, but commanding, keeping her eyes on me.

She nodded, but I could see the tension in her shoulders. “Y-yeah… just… a little nervous, I guess.”

I tightened my grip on the wheel slightly, my gaze cutting forward but my mind focused entirely on her. “Good.”

She swallowed hard, and I could hear the slight hitch in her breath. I didn’t comment. Words weren’t necessary. She would understand soon enough what it meant to be near me.

I caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror: Matteo and two of my men trailing in the black SUV behind us. Their eyes constantly scanned the streets, ready to respond to any threat. I trusted them, but I didn’t rely on anyone but myself when it came to her safety.