The first move
753 Words
Anna couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes burning into her back. Even after Romano left, the weight of his attention lingered.
Mitchelle tugged her hand. “We should go. Now.”
Anna nodded, her stomach still twisting from what had just happened.
But as they stepped outside, the chill night air didn’t calm her nerves.
“Are you sure it’s safe to just walk like this?” Anna whispered.
Mitchelle rolled her eyes. “Safe? Girl, nothing about last night was safe. You’re in his world now. Just keep your head down and your charm up.”
Anna didn’t reply. She barely heard Mitchelle over the roar of a sports car engine approaching fast.
The car stopped beside them. The windows tinted, but Anna knew immediately who was inside.
Isabella.
She stepped out with that perfect smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She walked toward Anna slowly, deliberately, heels clicking against the pavement like a countdown.
Anna’s heart rate spiked. Something told her Isabella didn’t come to chat.
“Anna, darling,” Isabella said, voice sweet but sharp. “We need to talk.”
Anna forced a smile, keeping her distance. “About what?”
Isabella leaned in slightly, lowering her voice, “About him. About Romano. You’ve made him… distracted.” Her words were sugar-coated but venom dripped between them.
Anna swallowed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Isabella’s smile widened. “Oh, come on. Don’t play dumb. You think stepping into a club and catching his attention was an accident? That man doesn’t notice anyone unless it matters.”
Anna’s stomach churned. “I didn’t do anything. I didn’t”
Isabella cut her off. “Exactly. You didn’t. And that’s the problem. He’s intrigued. And when Romano gets interested…” She leaned in closer, her perfume suffocating. “He never lets go.”
Anna’s eyes widened. “So… you’re saying
Isabella smirked, taking a small step closer. “I’m saying be careful, little girl. You’re playing a dangerous game.”
Anna’s hands trembled slightly. She felt the weight of the warning, but also something strange ,a spark of defiance.
Before she could say anything, the sound of a car door slamming behind them froze both women.
Romano.
He had been parked a short distance away, observing the encounter. His presence alone shifted the air. Suddenly, Isabella’s confident smile faltered.
“Romano,” she said, her voice sharp but uncertain.
Romano’s eyes scanned Anna quickly, then locked on Isabella. He stepped forward slowly, a quiet authority in every movement.
“Step back,” he said, his voice low and controlled.
Isabella stiffened but did not retreat immediately. She opened her mouth to speak, but he didn’t give her the chance.
“Step back now,” he repeated, sharper this time.
Isabella’s jaw clenched. She knew better than to challenge him openly, but the fire in her eyes didn’t die. “This isn’t over,” she whispered, before turning sharply and retreating to her car.
Romano’s eyes returned to Anna. For a moment, it felt like he was measuring her, weighing her against the world around them.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his tone softening slightly for only her to hear.
Anna nodded, though her heart was still racing. “I… I think so.”
He gave a small, rare nod. “Good. Stay close to me. You’re not alone in this.”
Anna felt a strange warmth in his words. Protection. Power. Something she didn’t understand fully yet, but she knew it wasn’t just a warning anymore.
The night air grew quiet as Romano turned and walked back to his car, Scott following closely behind.
Anna exhaled, her legs weak. Mitchelle grabbed her arm. “Girl. You are officially in deep.”
Anna looked after him, a mix of fear, confusion, and excitement coursing through her veins.
She had just realized the truth: Isabella wasn’t the only danger tonight. Romano’s world was far bigger than she could imagine.
And somehow, she had stepped right into the center of it.
- Writer
