The CEO's Secret Vow

Episode 2

The ride to the Montello mansion was silent, the beating of the car engine a low background to the storm that was churning through the mind of Izzy. Two weeks. She had a mere two weeks to prepare the life she was being pushed towards that was not her choice.

She hardly even saw the streets of the city she was traveling through, as she was thinking of the man she was going to marry. Dante Montello in his entirety was all she detested in the world she had once belonged to. Cold. Calculating. Ruthless. Having him in her life was like a constant reminder that she could not run away of the past and revenge was much more powerful than any love she could give.

And what had Dante said about her father? His father was a mafia boss and he had earned his wealth not by doing business but by fear and intimidation. He was fast on his way to power with the help of revenge, and now he was sealing his empire with the help of her family.

Her hands were clenched in Izzy. She hated him. She did not even know him, but she despised him as a symbol of what he was. The manipulation years, the cold business transactions, the blood that must have stained his way up to power.

And yet, when the car drove to the great house, something drew her. A curiosity. Was it only a heartless businessman in him? Was he just after all a revengeful man, or was there something in him--something she might have to come to terms with when they were living together?

The car halted, and suddenly Izzy was rudely awakened to her thoughts. The mansion was standing in front of her, a great emblem of all that Dante Montello struggled to achieve. The big iron gates were thrown open and the chauffeur ushered her into the long driveway to the imposing glass doors.

As they walked into the mansion, the first thing that she noticed was the extremely sharp contrast between the cold luxury of the environment and the heat that appeared to be coming out of the very air that she was breathing. Home was not a place, but a stronghold of Dante.

A great personage came into her path, and his presence was authoritative, but it was not Dante. It was his lawyer. The contract deliverer was the same man.

The lawyer told her, in his usual detached manner, that he had been requested to take her to the drawing room. "Mr. Montello is expecting you to come to him.

Izzy gave his nod, making her face as unreadable as possible. The attorney did not even give her a chance to speak and guided her to the luxurious halls of the mansion with every single step bringing her a step closer to the future it could not get rid of.

When she at last walked into the drawing room her eyes fell at once on Dante Montello, whose back was turned to her, commanding the city. As he turned, the tension in the room was made even heavier, his dark eyes looking up at her, the cold calculating look she had learned to expect of him, fixed in his eyes. But it was not only that, it was something that stopped her breath in her throat.

Welcome to your new life, Mrs. Montello, he said with a low and disturbing voice.

Izzy's pulse quickened. This was just the beginning. The atmosphere in the room was stifling and the words of Dante Montello were like the fog of death between them. Izzy continued to stare at him, her heart racing wildly at the center of her chest. she continued to hear his words, Welcome to your new life, Mrs. Montello.

It was not warmth to which she had expected to receive, but this was business, and there was something in his voice, something unsaid which made her heart beat quicker. It was not only the command in his voice, or the coldness in his eyes which was calculated. He had something, there was something quiet intensity about him that she could not disregard. And it disturbed her more than she would like to say.

Dante did not take his place by the window, his long frame silhouetted on the city lights, a black figure of strength and dominion. He was too big to be present, and even his stillness told a lot about him- of a man who did not need to demonstrate his superiority: it was just in him.

Izzy made a deep breath to steady herself, and her voice came surprisingly steady. "This isn't a life. It's a transaction."

Dante looked at her and his lips twitched upwards, and the smile did not come into his eyes. A convenience of marriage, yes. But I am sure you will see it is plenty more than that. Twelve months are not a great deal of time to be used to settle down to your new life, Mrs. Montello. You will get to know how things are around here.

He wheeled and faced her and, as though he were estimating the distance he could go before she broke, his gaze appeared to assess her. It was disturbing the amount of power that he possessed, and how easily he could discern every gesture.

Izzy had to make herself stare at his face. She could not allow him to see how he was shaking her. You think you can put me on this contract? She could not help the bite she had on her words, but she felt it was foolish to provoke him. But she couldn't help it. Something about him was prickly on her skin, both fear and something--she could not say what.

The lips of Dante twisted, and his eyes sank into a deep, inexplicable feeling. He moved toward her and the distance between them appeared to be narrowed. "Control? No, Izzy. I don't need to control you. You'll do that on your own. You will get used to the life I am providing you. And when the year ends round, you will be carrying it all you ever asked of you. You will be free and your company will be safe in the company of your family.

It was worse, Izzy thought, to think of living with him in the same house a year long, or to know in his cold voice that he was right. She might have sworn that the deal was closing in on her like an iron cage.

"But what about you?" Izzy spoke in a shaky voice even when she tried hard not to lose her composure. What becomes of you when I am out of the way? After you get what you want?"

Dante stopped and lifted up his eyes, it almost seemed to him that he had not foreseen the question. That is none of your business what happens to me.

He was lying, she could tell. However, that was not important at the moment. It was the next thing that mattered. Izzy sat up, and she felt a wave of revolt in her heart. She could not allow him to witness her terror which chewed at her heart.

Then we had better have it over with, she thought, and cleared her throat.

A momentary shadow went across the face of Dante--it was nearly recognition, perhaps even admiration--but it had disappeared before she could get the full reading of it. I already told you, Mrs. Montello, we are already past the point of no return. His voice was low, a little darker now, with something dangerous in it. "You'll stay here. We'll live as husband and wife. You'll play your part. And I'll play mine."

He approached and his presence came between them. Izzy made a half-step backward, yet he never gave up. His closeness was stifling, like he was a power of nature that she could not get rid of.

I suppose you will want to sleep in the guest bedroom? Dante questioned, with a suggestion of humor. But there was no gentleness in his look, but cold computation.

Izzy looked momentarily surprised at the question. Naturally he would give the guest room. This was a business affair and she had not been stupid enough to believe that it would be any different.

No, she said to herself to her astonishment. "I'll sleep in our bed. After all, it's only a year."

The eyes of Dante fluttered, and she had a glimpse of something, something--approval--that came through them, but in a moment she could not read it.

"As you wish," he replied. But see this, Izzy: I am not going to be your knight in shining armor. It is a contract, not a fairy-tale. And it is not I that will rescue you.

I do not require rescue, she replied in a firm voice. It is not I who is drowning in my revenge.

Dante drew up his face, and the momentary delight lost out of his eyes. He made another stride in her direction, bringing still nearer. He appeared to engulf the room.

Be careful, he said, with a low voice, as a reproach. You are entering into a world that you do not know. It is just that I am letting you be here.

Izzy looked directly at him. And no I am here because you have no choice.

The silence which ensued was pregnant. There was a long silence between them, which was broken by the sparkling of air between them.

At last Dante turned and walked away to the large staircase, with his feet ringing in the silence. Follow me, said he without turning back. You need to know what it is like to be married to me. She took a sharp inhalation and after him up the stairs.

When they got to the head of the staircase Dante opened the door to her new room.