Chapter 5: Unveiling the Truth

Isabella’s POV

My fingers were shaking as I sat in my dark apartment, scrolling through many articles and reports on my laptop. The weight of my reality weighed me down like a crushing force, the more I discovered. Beneath his wealth and power, Daniel was more than simply a domineering husband—he was a monster.

I had initially simply been searching for proof of his financial crimes, something that would allow me to escape his control. However, as I dug deeper, I saw hints of something more sinister. Old police files kept mentioning a name: Nicholas Moretti, a reputed criminal leader who had suddenly disappeared years before. The implication of each piece was the same: Daniel was connected to him.

When I clicked on a long-forgotten forum thread about Moretti's disappearance, a shiver went down my spine. One post caught our attention:

"Moretti didn't simply vanish. They erased him. And you'll discover who was holding the knife if you follow the money.

I took a deep breath. Even though the author was anonymous, and the thread was old, it felt like a warning.

Daniel was not merely bribing officials or laundering money. His hands were covered in blood.

I was startled out of my reverie by a knock on the door. As I closed my laptop and crept nearer the door to look through the peephole, my heart was racing.

Tony.

I opened it after hesitating. As he entered, his presence filled the tiny room, and his black eyes surveyed me. In a hushed voice, he remarked, "You appear to have seen a ghost."

I gave a trembling breath. "I believe I just did,"

He raised an eyebrow. "Speak to me."

After a moment of hesitation, I went to my laptop, opened the article again, and pointed at the screen. Daniel wasn't merely stealing. He was acquainted with Nicholas Moretti.

Tony's mouth clenched. His face was unreadable as he inhaled slowly.

I scowled. "You were aware."

Tony gave me a stern look at that moment. Isabella Moretti wasn't just any criminal. He was the type of man who made people vanish. Daniel was standing right next to him.

It sent a chill down me. "Whatever became of Moretti?"

Tony stared at me, his silence more ominous than his words.

I took a deep breath. "Did Daniel murder him?"

Tony rubbed his jaw and let out a deep exhale. "Isn't that the question?" He moved in closer. "Whatever you've discovered is hazardous. Daniel won't just stand by and watch if he discovers you're digging.

I twisted my stomach and crossed my arms. "I can't simply stop. I require evidence.

Tony looked at me for a while and then nodded. "Then we proceed with caution." He spoke in a firm, protective tone. "I'll assist you."

I wanted to think I was safe because of that.

In my heart, though, I was no longer certain.

The following night, I was standing close to the huge window that looked out over the city in Tony's apartment. Everything I had discovered was making my head spin. But more than that, I was troubled by what Natalia said.

"You don’t know the real Tony."

I looked over at him. He was pouring himself a drink while standing close to the bar, his motions deliberate and controlled. Too regulated.

I took a swallow. "I have a question for you."

Tony's black eyes met mine as he looked up. "All right."

I paused, then took a step forward. "I was warned about you by Natalia."

His face remained the same. "Did she?"

"She instructed me to leave." I hardly raised my voice above a whisper. "That there's no getting out once you own someone."

Tony's hand gripped his glass more tightly. "And do you think she's real?"

I let out a trembling breath. "I'm not sure what I should believe anymore."

Something sparked in his eyes, something primal, for the first time. He put down his glass and approached me slowly and methodically. He reached out when he was just a few inches away, gently tipping my chin up till I was forced to look him in the eye.

"Yes, Isabella, I have done certain things. Things for which I will never apologize," he stated in a firm yet quiet voice. "I've ruined people." Most people wouldn't be able to handle the decisions I've made. However, I have never caused harm to someone who didn't deserve it.

I had a dry throat. "And me?"

His feather-light touch travelled down to my wrist. "You believe I could ever harm you?"

My body reacted to him so quickly, and I detested that. How my flesh still scorched under his touch, terror still coiling in my stomach.

"I was shown a picture by Natalia." My voice faltered. "Of you. Younger. Standing above a corpse.

Tony didn't recoil. "I have previously stood over a body."

My heartbeat.

"Who was it?" I said.

We were silent for a long time before he eventually said something. "Moretti."

I felt a chill go down my back. "You took his life."

Tony exhaled deeply. "No." His eyes grew gloomy. "But I was present when he passed away."

My hands were shaking. I was unsure of how to feel and what to think. I was gradually getting into a dangerous situation with this man, whom I trusted.

I responded, scarcely raising my voice above a whisper, "Tell me the truth." "Am I safe in your presence?"

Tony looked into my eyes, and I briefly believed he would not respond.

Then he said, "No one will ever touch you as long as I'm breathing," leaning in and putting his lips to my ear.

I was shivering from more than just terror when he said it. From a deeper source.

And I was most afraid of that.

I ought to have gone. I ought to have turned back, left Tony's apartment, and kept as far away from him as I could. However, I didn't. My heart was racing as I stood there and stared at him while his words weighed heavily on me.

"As long as I’m breathing, no one will ever touch you."

It was more than just a pledge. It served as a warning.

He was a threat. Daniel, however, was as well. And for some reason, I never felt safer in my husband's house than I did here, with a man who acknowledged his darkness.

Tony moved in closer, and there was a strong, unmistakable charge in the air between us. His voice was low as he whispered, "You don't trust me." "Not just yet."

I took a deep breath. "I'm not sure what I should believe anymore."

I felt a chill as his fingers touched my wrist. He answered, "Then stop thinking." "Only for tonight."

I ought to have declined. I ought to have retreated.

But I melted as his lips touched mine.

At first, the kiss was slow, teasing, testing, but then something broke. With a hard, possessive hold, he drew me into him, and the fire that had been building between us for weeks finally erupted. As though he wanted to own me—not with words or promises, but with touch—his hands moved over my body as though he was mapping out every inch of me.

His tongue moved down my neck, burning my skin as I gasped, and he pulled me onto the counter. I lost myself in the sensation of him with each kiss and caress.

"You're trembling," he whispered against my flesh.

Yes, I was. Not out of terror, though.

Out of desire. Out of necessity.

From the horrifying knowledge that Tony DeLuca was the only person I had ever desired.

His dark eyes searched mine as he drew back a little. Isabella, say the word. I'll also cease.

I remained silent. I wanted him to keep going.

I knew I was in trouble because of that.

I awoke by myself.

The room next to me was deserted, and the covers were cold. I lay there looking up at the ceiling for a while, trying to tell myself that last night had been a mistake.

However, I was unable to.

His touch and the way he made me feel like more than a shattered woman fleeing a horrible marriage still caused my body to hum.

I rubbed my face with my hands as I sat up. What had I done? This was not only risky but also careless. I was caught up in something that I didn't understand and that, if I wasn't careful, could ruin me.

My heart leapt when I heard a knock on the door.

I hesitated before opening it, then wrapped the covers about me. There was a hotel employee with a small black package in his hand.

"Ma'am, this was left for you."

I took it with shaking hands and scowled. "Who abandoned it?"

The man shrugged. "No name."

I shut the door and perched on the side of the bed, staring at the box, my stomach churning. As I carefully raised the lid, my heart pounded in my ears.

One folded piece of paper was inside.

I gingerly unfolded it after picking it up with unsteady fingers.

"Walk away, or you’ll regret it."

As though it had burnt me, I dropped the note. Panic clawed its way up my throat, and I breathed quickly and shallowly.

I was being watched.

I was no longer merely fleeing Daniel.

In this game, there was another player. Furthermore, I didn't know who they were.