(Isabella’s POV)
The helicopter ride back to Chicago was a blur of noise and vibration. I was so tired that the world outside the window seemed like a dream. But the moment we stepped out of the private elevator and into the quiet, warm light of the penthouse, I felt like I could finally breathe again. The danger of New York, the cold memory of the safe house, and the chilling face of Vittorio Bianchi all seemed to fade away, held back by the invisible walls of this place. Our sanctuary.
Alessandro’s team was there, their faces serious. He gave them a few quiet orders, and then they were gone, leaving the two of us completely alone in the huge, silent apartment. The exhaustion from the past few days hit me all at once, a heavy weight that made my bones ache. I had been a Countess, a stra
