Vows and vendettas

ISABELLA’S POV As I fought the rough material of the sack dug against my face. My chest pounded fiercely in my chest, and the ropes cut deep into my skin, hence my wrists burned. Every road bump shot my body with agony; the air within the sack was stifling and suffocating. It was very uncomfortable at that moment but I had been waiting for them to find me. Even with the agony, a bitter grin pulled at my lips. Knowing completely well how my threats had been answered, I had sent them knowing that it was only a matter of time before Alex Blackwood took the bait and came to find me. The vehicle scratched to a stop. Hard steps beat on the road. Rough hands dragged me out a moment later and my knees banged against what seemed hard marble, so I stumbled. When the sack was torn off, my head spun and the unexpected brightness startled me. “Can’t you treat a lady with care? Who do you think you are?” I said in an authoritative tone. As my vision was corrected, I saw a beautiful office decorated with stylish black furniture and a huge window commanding the cityscape. The man in front of me was equally arrogant, great broad-shouldered, with penetrating dark eyes full of years of deliberate malevolence. It was none other than Alex Blackwood. Despite the pain in my limbs, I made myself stand erect. "Finally you found me. You have no idea how long I have been waiting for your response," I said with no atom of fear in me. Alex clenches his jaw. His men withdrew as he motioned, so we were left alone. He circled me as hunters examined their quarry. His voice cool and menacing, he said slowly, "You've been sending me threats to expose documents and evidence that might destroy my name. You really have guts, I will give you that. But do I have to remind you that no one has ever crossed me and gone scot free." I returned his gaze with no flinch. “I’m going to scot free and we both know it. Besides i have nothing to lose but you have a lot to lose." His gaze sparkled with interest and amusement. “And what exactly do you want? ” Exhaling and steadying myself. The time was finally here. “I need you to help me get in. I said resolutely. “I want to be a part of the Blackwood family, more specifically Nathaniel Blackwood." Alex raised his eyebrow. "That is a daring demand. " I crossed my arms. “You and I clearly see you are scheming something against your nephew. Just help me get into his life, and i can take care of him for you. You will be killing two birds with one stone. ” He smirked but kept his eyes cool. “Exactly why do you need to be in Nathaniel’s life? ” I raised my view. "I’m not obligated to tell you that.” Alex chuckled softly. “You're playing an unsafe game, little girl. ” "I am not playing," I answered. "Help me, or I will bring to light every unsolicited broken secret you have tried so much to hide " He lost his cool, moving closer to me, his lofty presence bearing down on me. "I can silence you right here, right now and no one is ever going to find out about it." I smiled, an evil smile. “No one might find out if you hurt but they will find out about everything else you did. Should anything happen to me, my evidence goes public. ” I laughed out loud. “You really didn’t think i was going to come this far without a plan be He flexed his jaw and a muscle in his cheek ticked. “If you think you could control me, you are a silly young woman.” "Desperate people are the most hazardous; I'm a desperate woman. " For a long time, Alex stared at me intensely. With a frustrated sigh he turned away and poured himself a drink. Say we agree! Say I allowed you into Nathaniel's house. Exactly what do you bring to the table?” I moved a step forward. “I am aware of how the game is played. I can make him trust and get anything that might help you with your plan out of him. " Sipped his whiskey and gazed at me through the rim of his glass. “Nathaniel is not the one to trust people easily. What if he doesn’t fall for your bait, what do you do then?” I turned my head. “There is no second option for me, I will do everything to make him trust me because that’s the only way to get what I want. ” Laughing softly, he shook his head. "You are nuts. " “Yes I am because I have a goal that I must achieve.” Leaning against his desk as he folded his arms, he strolled around it. "Provide me with one compelling justification for not killing you this minute. " I grinned. “Because you need me to keep your secret safe. And also, I’m your best shot at getting deeper into Natheniel's life and bringing him down.” He examined me once more, the silence growing between us. At last he put his glass down with a thump. “Ok, you have three months to bring Nathaniel down.” And with that the agreement was made. *************** With a triumphant smile, I walked to our dirty flat. Cross-legged on the sofa, Sophie typed away. She turned her pointed blue eyes upwards as she caught sight of me. "What got you all smiling? Did you win the lottery?." Straining my sore arms, I fell onto the seat across from hers. “Our plan worked. ” She blinked. "Could you explain more?" I could not help but let the joy show in my tone: "I got him. Alex Blackwood bit the bait. He agreed to help me enter Nathaniel's life." Sophi released a soft whistle. “Damn it. That was fast. ” “I told you it would work.” She shut her laptop and gave me her full attention. "Are you sure about this, Isabella? This is not just some corporate sabotage. It’s the Blackwood we are talking about here." I balled my hands. "I’m dead sure about this. They set up my father. They had him killed. I won't stop until I have them pay. " Sophie sighed, twisting her head. "Exactly what is your plan once you're in and Nathaniel sees through you? " My chest was on fire with resolve; I leaned forward. "I will make sure he doesn’t. " Sophie looked upset. “And in case he does.” I met her eyes; my voice unchanging. "I will destroy him before he gets the chance to destroy me.”