CHAPTER EIGHT: A DANGEROUS GAME
342 Words
Chapter 8: A Dangerous Game
And then his phone rang — unknown caller. He glanced at the screen, his brow furrowing.
Isabella’s heart nearly stopped. She watched as Dante answered the call, his sharp gaze never leaving hers.
“Who the hell is this?” Dante’s voice was low, a lethal warning wrapped in silk.
There was a crackle on the other end, and then a voice distorted through some kind of modulator.
“She’s lying to you, Romano.”
Dante’s expression darkened, his grip tightening around the phone. “What did you say?”
Isabella’s blood ran cold. She felt her knees weaken, a cold sweat breaking out along her spine. Whoever this was… they weren’t bluffing.
“Check her messages,” the voice continued. “You’ll see for yourself.”
Then the line went dead.
Isabella’s mind raced. Could it be one of Dante’s enemies? A rival? Or worse — someone from inside the house? The possibilities were endless, and each one more terrifying than the last.
Dante lowered the phone slowly, his gaze narrowing on her.
“Isabella…” His voice was dangerously calm, the kind of calm that came before a storm. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
Her throat dried up. She opened her mouth to deny, to make up a lie — anything. But her phone buzzed again. Another message.
“You have one hour before I tell him everything.”
Dante saw the way her eyes flicked to the screen.
“Give me your phone,” he ordered.
Isabella hesitated, torn between handing it over or trying to stall. The entire plan, her mother’s life, everything hung in the balance.
“I… it’s nothing,” she stammered.
Dante stepped closer, crowding her against the wall, his hand gently brushing her cheek, though his eyes burned like fire.
“Don’t lie to me, bella. I can forgive anything… except betrayal.”
And then, without warning, his lips crushed against hers.
But neither of them noticed the shadow outside the window, watching them.
- Writer
