Captured Beauty

Chapter 3

The Devil’s Bargain

Isabella’s POV

"Come with me, Isabella. Before it’s too late."

My father’s voice cut through the chaos. He stood there, gun still smoking, eyes locked on mine.

I couldn’t move.

Rafael’s grip tightened around my arm. His body was tense, ready for war. "You’re not going anywhere with him," he growled.

Lorenzo chuckled darkly. "You still think you can keep her, boy?" His eyes flicked to me. "Isabella, if you trust him, you’re a fool."

My mind spun. My father was alive. Alive and standing in front of me after years of thinking he was dead. And now, he wanted me to leave with him?

I swallowed hard. "Why should I trust you?"

Lorenzo’s countenance softened—just for a second. "Because I’m your father."

Rafael drew me closer, his chest pressing into my back. "And yet, you left her to fend for herself."

Lorenzo’s jaw tightened. "I did what I had to do to survive. And now I’m here to mend my faults."

"By shooting people?" I snapped, glancing at Luca Romano, who was still groaning from his gunshot wound.

Lorenzo smirked. "Sometimes, fixing things requires breaking a few pieces first."

Rafael let out a dark laugh. "You’re not taking her."

Lorenzo’s eyes went chilly. "And you think she belongs to you?"

The tension was suffocating.

My pulse raced as I looked at Rafael. Speak the truth. Did you know my father had been alive all along?

Rafael was silent for much too long.

That was all I required in response.

"You son of a—" I shoved him, wrath rising through me. "You knew! You let me assume he was dead!"

Rafael grabbed my wrist. "I was protecting you, Isabella."

From what? From my own dad? I trembled in my voice.

His jaw tightened. From the beast he has turned into.

Lorenzo laughed. So I'm the beast? Not the guy who took my daughter? Not the man who pulled her into the mafia life she never wanted?"

Rafael’s grasp on me intensified. She was always present in this world. You ensured that the day you betrayed the Costas.

Lorenzo's expression soured. Rafael, you don't know the whole tale. You never did.

Rafael's voice fell to a deadly whisper. Then why not clarify for me?

Lorenzo moved closer. Let her go and I will.

My stomach turned.

This was a war. And I was the prize.

"I make my own choices," I said, my voice steady.

Both men turned to me.

I took a deep breath. "And right now, I want answers."

Lorenzo extended his hand. "Then come with me, Isabella."

Rafael’s grip was unrelenting. "If you leave with him, you’re choosing his side."

My throat tightened. "And if I stay with you, I’m choosing yours?"

Rafael didn’t answer.

Lorenzo’s eyes gleamed. "That’s exactly what he’s saying. He doesn’t love you, Isabella. He just wants to own you."

Rafael’s muscles tensed behind me. "That’s rich coming from you."

My chest ached.

I had spent my whole life wondering about my father, missing him, hating him for leaving me. And now he was here, offering me a way out.

But Rafael… Rafael had become something else. Something dangerous. Something I couldn’t ignore.

I turned to him. "If I stay, will you finally tell me everything?"

Rafael’s jaw tightened.

Lorenzo sighed. "He won’t. Because the truth will make you hate him."

I exhaled shakily. "Then I guess I already know my answer."

I pulled away from Rafael.

His fingers slipped from my wrist, but I felt the loss like a wound.

I turned to my father. "Let’s go."

Lorenzo smirked in victory.

Rafael’s voice was deadly soft. "You’ll regret this."

I swallowed hard but didn’t look back.

Because I was afraid he was right.

Isabella, you still believe you can leave me?

Against my ear, Rafael's voice was a sinister whisper; his hold around my wrist was like iron. I gasped. The fire between us was dangerous, palpable.

I gulped. Rafael, I am not yours.

His fingers grew tighter. You fit with me.

Though a chilly wind blew down the shadowy lane, the fire in his gaze held me still. A few steps away, Lorenzo was observing with an inscrutable look. The man who raised me. An unknown person. A specter from my past.

Ignoring the way my flesh burned from his touch, I yanked my wrist away. I am gone.

Rafael let out a quick breath. Him? His voice was full of rage.

I raised my head. I want solutions.

Rafael sneered as he approached. You believe he will be honest with you? Lorenzo De Luca lies. A backstabber.

Lorenzo laughed, entertained. Rafael Costa, and you are what? Her savior?

Ignoring him, Rafael concentrated on me. Isabella, don't do this.

Though it hurt in my chest, I made myself turn aside. Farewell, Rafael.

I only got two steps in when his arm encircled my waist, pulling me back. My back hit his chest and I gasped.

His breath was hot on my neck as he said, "You're not walking away from me."

Lorenzo's hand hovered just over his weapon. Let her go.

Rafael's grip grew tighter. She doesn't want to leave.

My heart raced. Did I

Rafael spun me around in his arms, his fingers clutching my chin to make me face him. "Say it," he ordered.

I opened my mouth but said nothing.

Lorenzo let out a sigh. This foolishness is over. He had his rifle up in a second. "Step away from my daughter, or I will force you to do so."

Rafael grinned, unbothered. By all means. Shoot me down. But she will not forgive you.

Lorenzo's jaw quivered. His finger rested on the trigger.

Stop! I shouted, pushing Rafael aside.

As I looked at my father, his demeanor soured. I will accompany you. No more threats, though. No more bloodshed.

Before putting down his weapon, Lorenzo shot Rafael one more look. Okay.

Heart pained, I confronted Rafael. Let me free.

His jaw was so rigid I feared he could c***k as he looked for my eyes. At last, he let me go.

I moved back.

It seemed as though I was splitting my soul in two.

Later on that night

Lorenzo's vehicle raced down New York's calm roads. The inside quiet was blaring.

"Are you going to explain?" I inquired.

Lorenzo maintained his gaze on the road. What do you mean?

Anger boiling, I looked at him. Your absence's cause. Why did you let me think you were dead? Why Rafael referred to you as a traitor.

He strengthened his hold on the steering wheel. Rafael is unaware of the entire narrative.

Then let me know.

A significant delay. After that,

To save you, I let the Costa family down.

My stomach turned. Pardon?

Lorenzo looked at me, his face a blank slate. Isabella, the Costas were going to murder you. You were never safe around them.

I declined. That is illogical. Rafael—

Rafael is a Costa. He was never going to be honest with you.

My head whirled. You faked your death then?

Lorenzo agreed. I've been waiting for the appropriate moment to remove you.

I laughed bitterly. "By shooting folks?"

Lorenzo grinned. Some things remain constant.

Leaning back in my chair, I sighed. I don't know who to trust.

He only said, "Believe me."

I wished to. Still, Rafael's remarks rang in my head.

I wondered, "Where are we going?"

Lorenzo's gaze grew darker. A secure location.

Secure.

The term seemed false.

Rafael's point of view in the interim

My knuckles burst open as I pounded my fist on the wall.

She had left.

I let her leave.

Shaking his head, Luca entered the room. I shouldn't have done it.

I turned on him, fury coursing through my veins. You believe I am unaware of that?

Luca let out a sigh. Lorenzo is risky. Should she remain with him—

I interrupted, "She will not." I will bring her back.

Luca wavered. What if she doesn't wish to return?

I gripped my hands. Then I'll tell her who she belongs to.

Luca's lips were pulled into a grim grin. That suddenly sounds like the Rafael Costa I know.

I breathed out quickly, my head already whirling with a strategy.

Lorenzo believed he had triumphed.

He had no clue what lay next.

Isabella's point of view

The safe place was calm. Too silent.

Lying in the strange bed, my heart weighed, I lay awake.

I had missed him.

God, how I missed him.

A gentle rap on the door caused me to sit up. Come in.

Lorenzo came in seeming worn out. Rest would be good for you.

I let out a sigh. I cannot.

He was perched on the bed's edge. This is a lot, I realize.

I agreed. It is so.

He was unsure. Still, do you love him?

The question caught me off guard.

I looked away. "It doesn’t matter."

Lorenzo studied with me. "It does."

I swallowed hard. "I don’t know."

A pause. Then—

You will have to make a decision shortly.

I scowled. For what reason?

He looked dejected. Rafael Costa will always keep you.

I felt a shiver down my back.

I already knew that.

But I wasn’t ready for what would come next.