Chapter 6

Isabella's eyes widened in shock after she heard the message which her neighbour passed down to her. Her heart raced with thoughts, her home, her belongings, her security all being consumed by flames. She could feel herself burning with anger and a wave of panic washed over her. She knew exactly who was behind all this.

“Matteo,” she muttered under her breath, her grip tightened on the phone as her gaze met Lorenzo's gaze.

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed, he sensed that something was really wrong with Isabella, with the change in her mood after she heard his plans and the phone which she picked. “Isabella, what's happening ?” He asked, his voice low and concerned.

Isabella didn't answer, her mind was not with Lorenzo but her eyes were fixed on him, she could only sense the moving of his mouth but didn't hear anything. Her mind was processing the chaos that was unfolding in her mind. It was like her world had come to an end. Her home, her sanctuary was being destroyed, and she knew it was all because of her debt to Matteo.

She didn't want to involve Lorenzo into this, but her mind just reminded her, her words. “ keep your enemies close”

Lorenzo was really concerned about Isabella. Was she playing some joke with him? By not answering him. He stood up from his chair and moved closer to her resting one of his hands on her shoulders. “Are you okay De la Cruz” Lorenzo yelled into her ear.

Lorenzo's words brought Isabella back from her reveries, as she released a big sigh and turned facing Lorenzo whose face was inches away from hers. With a shaking hands Isabella placed the phone down on the table, her eyes fixed on Lorenzo. “I have to go now,”she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

“You can't just go like that without letting me know what is happening, besides if something is wrong I can protect you” Lorenzo said, his voice from being the hard nut to crack mafia boss to being protective.

Isabella didn't know what to do at this time. Is this a good time for her revenge to come through?

Isabella's eyes locked into Lorenzo's searching for a sign of understanding. But she knew she could not reveal her debt to Matteo to him, but she knew that he could be of help to stop Matteo's plans.

“But I need to go, is more of a personal issue that I need to attend to if any problem I would let you know, i …I need to go” Isabella stammered.

Lorenzo's grip on her shoulders tightened, “ you are not going anywhere unless you tell me what is going on, you saved my life from the first day of not knowing who you are and I think it is my responsibility now to return the favour, what is going on Isabella? Lorenzo asked his voice firmly but filled with concern.

Isabella hesitated, weighing her options. She could try to push him away, but it seems like this is the perfect time for her revenge to come through. She released a big sigh. “Lorenzo my house is on fire” she said her eyes heavily waiting for the rain to start falling.

Lorenzo's eyes widened in shock and alertness processing the words of Isabella. “ Your house is on fire?” He repeated her words, as his voice was firm and commanding.

“Then I am coming with you, you can't just go alone.” He said as his grip softened.

“No, Isabella waved her head in disagreement, you can't follow me. It is a personal issue and I need to take care of it, it is my problem and I need to handle it.” She said as they both locked their eyes into each other.

But Lorenzo was insistent, he could just leave her to go face her problems alone, she is his and he protects anything of his and no one dares to touch them. His eyes narrowed and filled with curiosity and questions building up within him. Is Isabella trying to hide something from him? What are her plans?.

But he waved them aware, his concern now is to help her. “ I insist Isabella, I am with you now, we will face your problems together.” He said,

Isabella felt a surge of gratitude towards Lorenzo, No one has ever opted to help her like this. But how could a caring and kind man get involved in the murder of my brother?

She thought, but her mind was all about the revenge she needed to take on him and the Santoro family. She nodded to his words.

“Let's go” Lorenzo said, his voice firm and commanding as he held her hands and they walked out of the hotel. As they were walking, Isabella's gaze couldn't leave Lorenzo's face, as she was trying to catch up to his pace.

As they walk out of the hotel, Isabella knows that her plans are coming through, at least with Lorenzo by her side she can scale free from Matteo until she pays him and after she can launch her revenge plans on the Santoro family.

Lorenzo's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Isabella's pale face. “We would take off his bella,” he growled, his voice low and menacing as he held the steering. “No one touches what is mine” he said, not concerned how Isabella would feel but she is his now, he couldn't wave off the attraction between them. And he has to also protect her and execute his plans.

Isabella felt a shiver run down her spine hearing Lorenzo's possessive words. “Bella” she muttered within her, her mind racing with confusion. They weren't even dating just allies of convenience. She just saved his life at the hospital and now he is acting like she belonged to him.

As they drove to her sanctuary, her little heaven was all covered by flames. “You have to stay here” he said as he looked at Isabella who was in tears. Just then as he walked toward the house, Isabella could hear footsteps. She wiped away her tears as she scanned around but she was not fast enough and everything went black.