Captured Beauty

Chapter 1

Bound by Shadows

Isabella's POV

Rafael, you cannot hold me here contrary to my desire. A combination of indignation and dread made my voice shake.

"Watch me, Isabella." His gaze, frigid and unrelenting, met my own. Your new reality is this.

I stood in the rich surroundings of the Costa estate, its opulence oppressive. My situation's burden bore down on my chest. Days ago, lost in my work, I ignored the sinister undercurrents of my family's past. I was now a piece in a game I hardly grasped.

Why me? I asked, hands balled into fists.

For a brief period, Rafael's eyes softened. Your father is in debt.

My father has passed away.

Really? Rafael's enigmatic answer made me shiver.

The door opened to see Mateo, Rafael's younger brother. His face showed a mix of worry and annoyance.

Rafael, we have to speak.

Rafael nodded, his gaze fixed on me. Remain here.

With the door closing behind them, I felt the walls closing in. Desperation gnawed at me. I had to look for a way out.

Minutes seemed like hours. The quiet was blaring. Then the door cracked open once more and Sofia, my childhood buddy, slid inside.

Bella, are you alright?

Sofia? What brings you here?

I currently work for Costas.

Her discovery was a stomach hit. You should have told me.

I was unable to. It's not easy.

Everything is difficult right now.

Listen, more is happening than you are aware of.

Then say it.

Sofia looked toward the door and then back at me. Not present. Meet me tonight in the garden.

She was gone before I could answer. My thoughts were racing as I fell into the soft couch. What mysteries lay hidden with her?

Night fell and I walked to the garden; the cold air was a sharp contrast to the strain rising inside me. Sofia was already there, walking about.

Bella, you should be aware of something.

What is that?

Your father... he lives.

The globe tilted. That is not feasible.

I saw him, Bella. He is cooperating with Viktor Morozov.

The Russian gangster?

Sofia agreed. They have something major in mind.

Why didn't you let me know earlier?

I meant to save you.

Save me? By leaving me in the dark?

It's not that easy.

Nothing ever is.

A rustle in the woods drew our notice before Sofia could answer. We turned to see Rafael's right-hand man Enzo Ricci coming out of the shadows.

Ladies, it's not safe out here.

We were only conversing.

Inside. Presently.

Back in my room, I paced, rage and bewilderment fighting inside me. My father lived. He was working with risky people. I was caught in the center.

Rafael came in through the entrance; his face inscrutable.

Isabella, we have to speak.

Regarding what? Your dad?

He blinked a little. What do you understand?

Sufficient.

So you know why you are here.

Using it as leverage?

Somewhat. Still more, though.

Then clarify.

Running a hand over his hair, he moaned. Your dad let us down.

In what way?

He sold Viktor our secrets.

What would motivate him to do this?

Greed. Power.

You believe employing me will draw him out?

This is our greatest chance.

Touch me again and I swear I'll kill you.

My pulse racing, I hissed the words between gritted teeth. Rafael's icy blue eyes burned with something dark—something hazardous as his grip around my wrist tightened.

"Give it a shot, princess," he said, chuckling. "See how far you go."

Chest heaving, I pulled my arm free. Too many shadows and too much power coiling between us like a storm ready to break made the room suffocating.

You believe you can keep me here for all time? I spat, looking at him angrily. You believe I'll simply take this?

Rafael's lips twisted into something not quite a grin. Isabella, I don't need you to agree with it. I only require your compliance.

Anger burned in my veins. Costa, I am not a puppet.

His eyes grew darker. "No, you’re a weapon. Whether you like it or not, you are now mine.

A shiver ran down my spine—not just from fear, but from something far more dangerous. Because despite everything, despite the hatred and the fury, there was an undeniable pull between us.

And Rafael knew it.

Before I could jerk back, the door blasted open. Mateo stormed in, tension rolling off him in waves.

"Rafael," he murmured, voice tense. "We have a problem."

Rafael didn’t take his eyes off me. "What kind of problem?"

Mateo hesitated, then threw a glance in my direction. "Your fiancée might want to hear this too."

Rafael stiffened. "Mateo—"

"It’s about her father," Mateo cut in, jaw tight. "He’s alive. And he’s making moves."

The room slanted.

I grabbed the edge of the desk behind me, my nails digging into the wood. "No," I said softly. That is not feasible.

Mateo looked at me grimly. So did I. Until now."

I looked at Rafael, pulse hammering. "You knew, didn’t you?"

He didn’t deny it.

"How long?" My voice trembled. "How long have you known my father was alive?"

Rafael’s jaw clenched. "Long enough to know he’s coming for you."

Everything inside me twisted. Betrayal. Anger. Fear.

"He abandoned me," I said, more to myself than to them. Years passed during which I believed him dead. So now you say he's been out there all along?

Rafael moved closer. "And now he wants you back."

I stared at him, my breath shallow. "Why?"

Mateo exhaled sharply. Viktor Morozov was the one he dealt with.

The head of the Russian mafia. The name alone sent ice through my veins.

I looked between them. "What kind of deal?"

Rafael’s expression was unreadable. "A trade."

A sick feeling curled in my stomach. "What trade?"

Rafael’s voice was quiet, but lethal. "You."

The air left my lungs.

"He wants to hand you over to Viktor in exchange for power," Rafael continued, watching me carefully. "He thinks you’re his leverage. His negotiating tool.

I shook my head. "No. No, that doesn’t make sense."

Mateo’s voice softened. "Isabella, he’s not the man you remember. He’s ruthless now. He doesn’t care about you—only what he can gain from you."

A lump formed in my throat. I hated that it hurt. I hated that I still wanted to believe my father had loved me once.

Rafael’s hand suddenly curled around my wrist, dragging me back to reality. His touch was firm, grounding.

"You’re staying here," he said, voice like steel. "Where it’s safe."

I yanked my arm away. "I’m not your prisoner."

"You’re not leaving, Isabella," he warned, his eyes flashing with something primal.

I met his glare with equal fire. "Try and stop me."

The tension snapped like a live wire.

The next second, Rafael’s mouth was on mine.

It wasn’t soft. It wasn’t gentle. It was a collision—fury, heat, possession all wrapped into one brutal kiss.

I gasped against his lips, my hands pressing against his chest, but he didn’t let me go. He kissed me like he wanted to own me, like he needed to break me apart and put me back together as something that belonged to him.

And the worst part?

I let him.

My fingers curled into his shirt, pulling him closer even as my mind screamed at me to stop. I hated him. I wanted to destroy him. But right now, all I could think about was how intoxicating he felt, how his body fit against mine like a perfect storm.

When he finally pulled back, his breath was uneven. His eyes burned with something dark and unspoken.

"You belong to me now, Isabella," he murmured against my lips. "And I don’t share."

I shoved him away, my breath coming in ragged gasps. "I’m not yours, Rafael."

His sneer was slow, deadly. "Keep telling yourself that, princess."

Before I could react, the door swung open again.

This time, it was Enzo. And his expression was murderous.

"Rafael," he said, voice like ice. "We have company."

I frowned. "Who?"

Enzo’s gaze moved to me, then back to Rafael.

"Lorenzo De Luca."

My blood ran cold.

"Where?" Rafael demanded.

Enzo’s face was inscrutable. Outdoors. He wishes to speak.

The room whirled. I felt a tightening in my tummy. This was not occurring. It was impossible.

Rafael looked at me, his face shadowy with something unknown. You remain here.

Stepping forward, I shook my head. Not at all. I have to meet him.

Rafael's grip on my wrist was like a vice. I declined.

My heart thudded against my ribs. My dad was present. All these years later.

And I had no idea whether he would come to rescue me...

Or kill me.