Blood and Desire

6. Isabella Romano

I woke that morning with the uneasy sense that something was about to happen. The silence in the mansion felt heavier than usual, as if even the walls were holding their breath, waiting for Dante’s next move. I still remembered the night before — the food I had spat in his face, his barely restrained fury. He hadn’t shouted, hadn’t touched me, but his eyes… those icy eyes promised consequences.

My heart was at war. Part of me was proud that I had resisted, that I hadn’t bowed. The other part trembled, imagining what kind of punishment a man like him could invent.

I sat on the edge of the bed, biting my lip, when the door opened without warning. Dante entered, flawless as ever. The dark suit, the perfectly aligned tie, the woody scent of his cologne filling the room before his voice even did. He looked like a dream far too expensive for my world — except this dream was a nightmare.

“Stand up, Isabella.” The order was low, firm, leaving no room for questions.

“I won’t.” My voice was steady, even though my hands trembled in my lap.

He raised an eyebrow, almost amused.

“You will. And now.”

“For what? Another one of your little games? Want to see how stubborn I can be?” I shot back, lifting my chin to meet his gaze.

Dante took a deep breath, like he was trying to contain himself. He approached slowly, stopping in front of me.

“You spat in my face yesterday, Isabella.” His voice was almost too calm, which made it far more terrifying than if he had shouted. “That doesn’t go unpunished.”

I swallowed hard.

“Then hit me. That’s what men like you do, isn’t it?”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. He leaned in, our noses nearly touching.

“I never hit women. But I know how to punish in ways you can’t even imagine.”

My body shivered, but I tried not to show it.

“What kind of punishment? Lock me up without food? That won’t work. I’m already not eating, remember?”

He smiled, but it wasn’t a real smile. It was more like a sharp cut across his face.

“No. Today, you’re coming with me. You’ll see how my world really works.”

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, confused.

“Get dressed. Something simple, but decent. I’ll be here in ten minutes.” And without waiting for a response, he turned his back and left, leaving my heart pounding.

***

Of course, I tried to refuse. But two of his men appeared in the room and simply waited until I changed. I knew I had no choice. I ended up in a simple light-blue dress I found hanging in the wardrobe. My feet shook as they touched the floor. I was weak.

In the car, the silence was sharp, cutting through me. Dante sat beside me, fiddling with his watch, as if it were just another day of business. I, however, felt like an animal led to the slaughter.

“So this is your punishment?” I broke the silence. “Dragging me to a boring meeting just to bore me to death?”

He let out a short, humorless chuckle.

“You talk too much, Isabella.”

“And you talk too little.” I crossed my arms, looking out the window. “At least tell me where we’re going.”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Do you always have to control everything? Even what I know or don’t know?” I pressed, feeling the weight of my boldness.

He turned his face to me, serious.

“Control is what keeps people alive in my world. Including you.”

I stayed silent for a few seconds, trying to decipher his words. Then I shot back:

“And who said I want to live in your world?”

Dante rested his arm on the seat and leaned toward me. His eyes burned with intensity.

“You already do, Isabella. Like it or not.”

***

We arrived at a remote warehouse, with tall windows and concrete walls. From the outside, it looked abandoned, but inside it was luxurious, with a long glass table and leather chairs. A man was already seated there — a short, chubby man, wearing shiny rings on every finger. When he saw us enter, he forced a smile.

“Dante!” the man said, standing to greet him. “What a pleasure to see you.”

“Carlo.” Dante’s voice was icy. He didn’t smile. He simply pulled out a chair for me. “Sit, Isabella.”

I looked at him, hesitant.

“I don’t want to…”

“Just sit.” There was an undertone of command in his words, but also a veiled promise.

I obeyed, though my whole body screamed to run.

Carlo glanced at me with curiosity.

“And who is this young lady?” he asked, his smile nauseating.

“None of your concern.” Dante’s reply was sharp, cutting.

The atmosphere grew heavy. Carlo swallowed and tried to continue.

“Business is going well, as agreed. I’ve made the deliveries on time…”

Dante interrupted.

“Is that so?” He grabbed a leather folder and tossed it on the table. Papers scattered — numbers, notes, photos of Carlo meeting with people, and records. “Then how do you explain this?”

Carlo started to sweat.

“I… it must be a mistake…”

“Mistake?” Dante leaned over the table, his presence consuming the room. “You stole from me, Carlo. Did you think I wouldn’t find out?”

My heart raced. A chill ran up my spine. I looked at Dante, then at Carlo, sensing something terrible was about to happen.

“Dante, please…” Carlo raised his hands. “I can explain…”

“I don’t want explanations.” His voice was steel. “Ask for forgiveness. But know this — I won’t grant it.”

Carlo went pale.

“I have a family… children…”

Dante pulled a gun from inside his jacket with the same calmness as if he were picking up a glass of water. He placed it on the table, metal glinting under the cold light.

“You should have thought about that before betraying my trust.”

My breath caught in my throat.

“Dante…” I whispered, almost unconsciously. “You don’t have to…”

He looked at me for a second, his eyes nothing but cold determination.

“Watch, Isabella. This is the price of disloyalty.”

Carlo fell to his knees, pleading.

“Please! I’ll do anything!”

The shot echoed through the warehouse like thunder. I screamed, covering my ears. Carlo’s body fell forward, motionless, blood spreading across the shiny floor.

“Oh my God…” I whispered, vision blurring, the bitter taste of fear rising in my throat. “You’re a monster.”

Dante cleaned the gun with a handkerchief, as if nothing had happened. Then he looked at me.

“I’m a man who keeps his word. That’s something you should learn.”

The walls seemed to spin around me. My heart raced, my breaths came short. I still saw the blood, the fallen body, and Dante — so calm. It was too much.

“I… I…” I murmured, before everything went dark.

I fainted.