A New Alliance

Chapter 33: A New Alliance

The night air was thick with tension as Isla stepped out onto the dimly lit balcony of Dante's mansion, her body still sore from the events of the past few days. The weight of her choices pressed against her chest like an iron grip. She should have been gone by now, far away from the chaos that Dante DeLuca had pulled her into. Instead, she was still here—trapped in his world, in his bed, and worst of all, in his hold.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the balcony railing as a low, familiar voice whispered from the shadows behind her.

"You look troubled, bella."

Isla stiffened, recognizing the voice immediately. Nico Bianchi.

She turned slowly, keeping her expression neutral as she faced the man standing just beyond the shadows. He was tall, lean, and dangerous in a way that was different from Dante. Where Dante was all raw power and control, Nico exuded a smooth, calculated charm that made him just as deadly.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice steady despite the slight tremor in her heart. If Dante found him here, it would be a bloodbath.

Nico smirked, taking a step closer. "Relax, bella. I came with an offer."

She crossed her arms. "I'm not interested."

His smirk deepened. "You haven't even heard it yet."

Isla stayed silent, waiting.

Nico leaned against the balcony railing, his piercing blue eyes studying her intently. "Dante DeLuca isn't your savior, Isla. He's your captor."

She clenched her jaw. "I don't need you to remind me."

"But you do need me," he countered smoothly. "Because I can offer you something Dante never will."

She arched a brow. "And what's that?"

"Freedom."

Her breath hitched slightly, but she quickly masked it with a scoff. "Freedom? From what?"

Nico tilted his head, watching her with keen interest. "From him. From the leash he has around your neck. From the inevitable destruction he'll bring to you." He leaned in closer, voice lowering. "You know I'm right. Dante is losing control. He's eliminating threats left and right, and soon, you'll be one of them."

Isla swallowed, but she didn't respond.

Because a part of her feared Nico was right.

Dante was becoming more possessive. More dangerous. He had killed for her, locked her away, and now, he barely let her breathe without his presence hovering over her.

But despite that…

She still wanted him.

And that was her biggest problem.

Nico took her silence as an invitation to continue. "You were never meant to be his prisoner, Isla. You came here with a mission, didn't you?"

Her heartbeat quickened. "How do you—"

"I have my sources." His smirk was knowing. "Antonio DeLuca is the real enemy here. Not Dante. I know exactly why you want him dead."

Isla's fingers twitched. "Then why don't you kill him yourself?"

Nico chuckled darkly. "Because that's not how this works, bella. But you? You're in the perfect position. You have Dante's trust. His obsession. That's a powerful weapon if you know how to use it."

Isla turned away, gripping the railing again. "And what do you want in return?"

"The fall of the DeLuca empire," Nico said simply. "Dante's power is growing. If I let him continue unchecked, soon there won't be a mafia left that isn't under his control."

She glanced at him. "So this is about business?"

Nico shrugged. "It's always about business. But for you, it's personal, isn't it?"

Isla's throat tightened.

She should take his offer.

She should betray Dante before he inevitably destroyed her.

But why did the thought of hurting him make her chest ache?

"Think about it," Nico murmured, his voice a seductive whisper. "I can get you out of here. I can make sure you disappear before Dante even realizes what happened." He leaned in close, his breath ghosting over her ear. "All you have to do is choose freedom over your foolish attachment."

Isla closed her eyes for a brief second, her mind racing.

Was it foolish?

Was it madness that she felt something for a man who had stolen her agency, her plans, her very life?

Maybe.

But she wasn't ready to answer that question. Not yet.

"I need time," she said finally.

Nico grinned. "I'll be waiting."

And then, just as quickly as he had appeared, he melted back into the shadows, leaving her alone with nothing but her own warring thoughts.

---

The Storm Inside

She barely made it back inside before she felt him.

Dante.

He was standing in the middle of the room, his posture rigid, his dark eyes locked onto her like a predator who had just caught his prey trying to escape.

Her breath caught. "How long have you been standing there?"

Dante didn't answer.

He didn't need to.

The tension in the room was suffocating.

Finally, he spoke.

"Who were you talking to?"

Her stomach twisted.

"I—"

"Don't lie to me, bella." His voice was dangerously low, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "I saw him."

Isla's blood ran cold.

He had seen Nico?

Dante took a slow step toward her, his eyes dark with something primal. "What did he want?"

She had two options.

Tell the truth.

Or lie.

She knew which one was safer.

But she also knew Dante would know.

She lifted her chin slightly. "He offered me freedom."

Dante's entire body tensed. His jaw locked, and something violent flickered in his eyes.

"And what did you say?"

Isla hesitated. "I said I needed time."

The air shifted.

And then, in one swift movement, Dante was on her.

His hands gripped her waist, yanking her flush against his body. His breath was hot against her ear, his voice a dark growl.

"Time?" He laughed, but there was no humor in it. "You think you have a choice, Isla?"

Her heart pounded. "I always have a choice."

Dante's grip tightened. "Not anymore."

Her breath hitched. "You can't keep me locked up forever."

His lips ghosted over her skin, his voice like silk and steel. "Watch me."

She shivered, torn between rage and something far more dangerous.

Because despite everything—despite Nico's offer, despite the war inside her—

She wanted Dante.

And she feared she would never escape him.

Even if she tried.