Captured Beauty

Chapter 2

The Devil in Disguise

Isabella’s POV

Princess, you have no idea what you're going into.

Rafael's breath was warm on my ear and his hold on my arm relentless. His voice had a fatal warning, but I ignored it. Dad was outdoors. The guy I had grieved for years. The man I had told myself was dead.

Now he was present.

I have to see him.

Rafael's fingers became tighter. You have to pay attention. Stepping out there puts you in his game. And I don't allow anyone to tamper with what belongs to me.

I turned on him and pushed his chest. Rafael, I am not yours!

His eyes grew darker. You are, Isabella. You simply don't know it yet.

Though I brushed it off, a shudder went down my back. I pulled my arm free and rushed for the door. Rafael swore quietly before following me.

The moment I went outdoors, the world slowed.

There he stood.

Lorenzo De Luca

Dad.

He seemed... the same. But yet, no. The man who had told me I was his greatest treasure now appeared in front of me like a ghost wearing his face, tucking me into bed at night.

His black eyes fixed on me and something sparked in them. Astonishment? Restoration? I was unable to say.

"Isabella," he murmured, in a deliberate, suave voice. Look at yourself. You have developed.

I felt pain in my chest. You are still living.

His lips were pulled into a slow grin. Astonished?

I gulped. I wouldn't call it surprised.

Rafael was behind me, firm and unrelenting. A quiet warning.

My father's eyes darted to him and the atmosphere hummed with tension. He mused, "Rafael Costa" Still the conceited young lad who believes he controls the universe.

Rafael grinned. You are still the coward who fled.

Though my father laughed, it was not funny. Be cautious, Costa. Careful, Costa. You're treading on thin ice.

Rafael stepped forward to protect me. You came here on purpose. Speak your mind and go.

Lorenzo's grin faded. Our gazes crossed. Isabella, come with me.

I gasped. Pardon?

You don't fit here, he said. You are a De Luca. Not a pawn in Rafael's game. Come with me; I'll bring you home.

My house.

The term twisted something deep within me.

But then I recalled. The years of quiet. The evenings I sobbed myself to sleep, convinced he was dead. And now he thought I should follow him unquestioningly?

I breathed unsteadily. You abandoned me.

A flash of something passed his face, but it vanished in a second. I was powerless.

Nonsense.

His jaw tightened. All I did was to save you.

I turned down. Not at all. You did it for your own defense.

His eyes grew darker. Isabella, don't be naïve. You have no notion of what is at risk here.

Rafael's fingers touched my lower back in a quiet comfort.

Rafael said, "She's not going anywhere." Unless you wish to start a conflict, I advise you to go.

My father's look became frigid. You believe you can shield her from what is ahead?

Rafael grinned. I do not believe it. I do.

Lorenzo exhaled slowly and looked at me. Isabella, I'll give you time. But don't let Rafael's appearance lead you to believe he is your rescuer.

He came closer, speaking softly. He's simply another prison.

Then he turned his back.

I stood there, my emotions a jumbled mix of rage and uncertainty, and my pulse pounding.

Are you all right? Rafael's voice was suddenly gentler, the sharpness gone.

I looked at him. Were you aware?

He did not respond right away.

Rafael

His jaw tightened. I had my doubts.

I laughed nervously. Naturally, you did.

He tried to grab me; I backed off.

"You knew my father was alive and didn't tell me," I replied, my voice cutting. You let me think he was dead.

Rafael's face grew somber. I was guarding you.

I chuckled once again, this time bitter. You and my father must follow the same rulebook.

Running a hand over his hair, he moaned. Isabella—

I stopped him, saying "Don't." I want time.

He looked at me for a long time before nodding. Okay. No rush.

I started to walk away, but before I could move, he caught my wrist and yanked me back against his chest.

"But just so we're clear," he said softly, his lips inches from mine, "you're not going anywhere, princess."

Heat coiled in my belly, and I gulped hard as my body let me down.

Rafael, let me go.

Slow and careful, his fingers glided down my arm. Tell me you don't feel this.

I loathed him. I loathed him for his dishonesty. For hiding information from me.

But I despised myself even more for still desiring him.

I could not, I said, my voice trembling.

His lips grazed my jaw. Alright.

My heart racing, I pushed him away. You are unthinkable.

Rafael grinned. You are habit-forming.

Storming back inside, I turned before I could act irresponsibly.

But my phone buzzed the second I got to my room.

A message.

You can't trust him, Isabella, Unknown Number. Come see me. Twelve o'clock. The piers.

I gasped.

Then another message arrived.

Otherwise, you will remain ignorant of Rafael's reality.

I felt a knot in my gut.

I realized this was a terrible concept.

I knew I ought to disregard it.

But something told me... I was unable to.

You have no clue what you just accomplished.

Rafael's voice sounded low, menacing. Yanking me behind the closest stack of boxes at the docks, his fingers bit into my wrist. His body crushed on mine, thereby blocking me from sight.

My heart pounded against my ribs. Rafael, let me go.

He did not. He held on more firmly. Are you crazy? Do you have any clue who you were going to see?

I sent him an angry look. Perhaps someone who eventually speaks the truth to me!

Rafael's eyes blazed with something intense and his jaw set. Isabella, you believe the shadows will reveal the truth? His breath was hot and his lips grazed my ear. Truth does not exist here. Death is the only thing that lives here.

I felt a shudder but pressed against his chest. Then perhaps I fit here.

His eyes sparkled with something hazardous. You belong nowhere safe with me.

A noise pierced the stillness before I could answer.

Steps.

I stood still.

Cursing beneath his breath, Rafael drew his pistol. His posture was tight, lethal as he stepped in front of me. I had never seen him like this—so raw, so eager for violence.

A guy came into sight.

I took a breath.

Luca Romani.

A long-time friend of my father.

Luca grinned. Isabella, you are just as careless as your father cautioned me. His gaze darted to Rafael. Though you— I hoped for better.

Rafael kept his rifle up. Romano, you should not have come here.

Luca's grin remained constant. She should not either.

My heart raced. You texted?

Luca turned his head. I did.

I breathed out quickly. What for?

You deserve to know the truth. His eyes grew steely. Rafael is the subject of this.

I gulped. What is the truth?

Luca laughed. You believe this guy is your savior? That he's protecting you? He moved closer. Your father vanished because of Rafael Costa.

I felt a sinking in my stomach. Pardon?

Luca's grin grew. Rafael ensured your father stayed gone even though he faked his death. He chased Isabella down. He ensured you never saw him again.

My eyesight was fading, so I looked to Rafael. Say he is lying.

Rafael's face was impossible to decipher.

Quiet.

That quiet broke something within me.

I stepped back. You were aware. I spoke with a raspy voice. You knew my father was alive, yet you ensured I never located him?

Rafael let out a breath and lowered his weapon. It's not that easy.

Then make it easy! I said.

His jaw tightened. I performed what was required of me.

Luca chuckled. That's it. The truth you sought. He moved closer. Princess, tell me then what you will do now?

Breathing was impossible.

Everything in me shouted to flee. To escape both of them.

But I never had the opportunity.

A gunshot went off.

Rafael threw me to the ground, and I gasped. My breathing came in quick spurts and my ears rang.

Cursing, Luca held his shoulder. He had been shot.

I looked around, my eyes growing wide.

My father was there, pistol burning in his hand.

Lorenzo de Luca.

I felt as though someone had punched the air out of my lungs.

His gaze fixed on me. Isabella, accompany me. At this time.

I was unable to move. Could not consider.

Rafael stiffened behind me, hand on his revolver.

A storm was coming.

And I was trapped in the middle of it.