Isabella's POV
"Marcello…" Dad said as one of the hefty-looking men threw a jab at him. I screamed as they dragged us away.
The jab my father was given knocked him out and put him to an immediate slumber. It also gave him a black eye and made me so restless. I couldn't hide my hurt as tears began to rush down my eyes.
I was threatened to keep quiet as they drove us to an unknown destination. Marcello told me that if I made a sound I would end up like my father. All I could do was sob quietly. My phone as well as Dad's phone was taken and worse, it was jettisoned. We were being kidnapped.
"Where are you taking us?" I asked, tears streaming down my eyes.
"Don't worry child, you will soon know," Marcello responded with a knowing smile as he blew a puff of smoke to my face. He was sitting next to me in the SUV they bundled us in.
"I'm not a child!" I retorted, irritated by such the fact that he kept calling me that. I am twenty-one years old so I’m far from that.
"Feisty one uhn?" he said to the other men sitting next to Dad as they laughed.
"Tell me where you're taking us. If I'm going to die today at least let me know where I'll be laid to rest," I begged.
The three men alongside the driver laughed again. Marcello just looked at me, inhaled smoke from his cigar, and focused on the road.
I looked at Dad whose head rested on the armrest of the car. I pitied him. He must have gone through a lot. Losing a wife to alcohol and trying to save her while having little returns on all his menial jobs and still taking care of me must have been hard.
I could not stop crying. I looked outside the window to see if I'd recognize where we currently were and I noticed that we were heading towards the airport.
"Are we leaving Louisiana? Where are we going? Where are you taking us!" I yelled as I began to tremble because these men could easily dump us in a foreign country and nobody would know.
I looked at Dad and thought; What have you done Dad? How did you get involved with this kind of people?
I was ignored by Marcello and his men and something just told me to give it a rest. All my questions fell on deaf ears.
We arrived at the airport and were subtly led to an entrance where a private jet stood. It was ready to take off.
One of the bouncers carried Dad like he was a feather and headed for the plane. I came out of the car and stood still.
"I don't have time for this," Marcello said as he brought out a gun from his trousers and pointed it at me, "Move! Now!"
I jumped up and followed the men to the plane.
"Please Marcello, I know we are probably going to die but please tell me where you're taking us," I asked as I was forced to settle in.
"We are going to meet Don Rodrigo. We are going to Mexico. Now shut the fuck up, don't be a bitch, and enjoy the trip!" he said tired of my incessant questions.
**********
"We are here. Wake up child," Marcello said as he tapped my back.
I had cried myself to sleep. After Marcello yelled at me, telling me not to be a bitch, I knew there was nothing I could do but accept my present predicament. I was out of strength to even fight so I did the only thing I could, cried myself to sleep.
I looked around searching for Dad but I could not find him. I hastily stood up from the seat and almost fell.
"Where's my father?"
"Get down now!"
I obeyed the order as we entered the car and then I noticed Dad was inside the vehicle, he had regained his consciousness and it seemed like he immediately knew what was happening. He gave me a small smile that told me to stay calm and I did. We drove to a mansion and we were led inside.
"The Don will be here soon," A man I presumed was the housekeeper said.
After about 30 minutes of sitting and waiting. I noticed Marcello and his team stood up. I followed their gaze and met a man that looked to be in his thirties coming down the stairs.
He had the first three bottoms of his fitted white T-shirt opened which revealed his chiseled chest dotted with strips of hair. His hair was dark brown with red highlights and his eyes were blue like the ocean. He was about 6 ft tall and my eyes went to his jawline which was perfectly aligned. This folded T-shirt revealed the tattoo on his hands. It was not ugly but rather inviting, it gave off a Mafia God vibe. I wonder if he is a mafia.
This man was sexy without a doubt and you could mistake him as a runway model.
Only that his aura was dangerous. He looked cold and stoic.
This must be Don Rodrigo, I thought. If this was him, then I have to control my sudden admiration and my lusty eyes, I said to myself. I already hated him.
"Isaac. Have you made a decision?" He asked as he sat on the single couch in the living room facing all of us.
I looked at my father and noticed the terror he felt before suddenly resurfacing.
What decision was he talking about? I didn’t understand.
"Don, please. I can't make that decision. She is my only joy. Please give me some time," Dad replied with a tremble in his voice.
"Isaac, I'm a busy man. I will not ask you again," he barked with an evil glint in his eyes.
"Don, please, I will pay you back. I have plans to do so. Please, please…" Dad said as he knelt, begging.
The scene in front of me was infuriating. How could this monster make my father act this low? For what? How much was even the money? I could work for it and pay back even if it meant working for life. I'd rather do that than see my dad look this pathetic.
"Isaac, if I ask one more time…," Don threatened.
"Wait, what's the decision?" I cut him short. I looked at my dad and he began to weep. "What decision Dad?"
My father couldn't look at me. Rather, he looked away and covered his face with his palms. He looked embarrassed like he couldn’t believe the shit he had gotten himself to.
"You are either to marry me for a year while your father works for me to pay up the debt because you’re the ransom," Don Rodrigo said as he eyed me. "Or work for me as one of my whores in my hotel to pay the debt.”
Wait, what?
Isabella's POV"There is no way in hell I'm getting married to a devil like you!" I shouted immediately after the words left his mouth. “Who do you think you are? How much is the money that you want to force me into a marriage?” I shrieked at the top of my voice.I was so confused. What sort of proposal is this? Are these how shiny debt collectors were?If only I could find a way to dial the police…“Oh your father didn’t tell you?” Don questioned with a sneer. “You’re talking to the mafia lord of the Valentino cartel. You don’t know who you’re messing with.”What? Of all the people in the world…my father borrowed from a mafia lord?Then it hit me. Don Rodrigo. The notorious mafia lord of the Valentinos. No wonder his name seemed so familiar. He's the most notorious cartel lord in Mexico and nobody wants to mess with him. I’ve seen his name in various newspapers in Louisiana because of his rumored numerous links and connections there and now my life has become entwined with his.If he
Isabella's POV Jennifer returned the smile and started telling me about all the good stuff happening in Mexico. She could not stop talking about all the wonderful things she assumed we would do together and how she was happy to meet me. We arrived at a store called Carla Fernández and entered the classic-looking store. You could tell by the ladies in the store that this place screamed rich. I've always been a girlie girl who, even though was shy, loved looking good. However, this time, I could care less. Getting a wedding dress for a wedding I'm not happy about could not make me happy."Miss Jennifer, Hola," a 5ft tall lady approached us immediately as we entered the store with the most dashing smile ever. You could tell that it was not a fake smile. What is it with Mexicans and looking beautiful? I thought."Buenas tardes, Diana," Jennifer answered as they hugged, "Have you gotten our session ready?" she asked."Of course, you know you're my best client. If you ask me to jump, I'
Isabella POVWhat was he expecting? Did he expect me to be happy over a measly compliment that I'm certain is not sincere? I know I said I will pretend to be happy about my recent predicament to not let anyone suspect a thing before I execute my plan but I could not hold my mouth in front of this monster. Seeing him made me infuriated and slightly scared."You heard me right. Don't come here pretending to like how I look. We are both aware that this is an arranged marriage so do not pretend to care," I said as I started approaching the dressing room to undress."You stop right there!" He said making me halt in my track as he moved and stood in front of me. His words and actions have a way to command respect."You will not walk out on me until I'm done with you," he said, " I own you and as long as you are mine, you do as I command. If I say you're beautiful, it means you are beautiful and you appreciate my compliment," he added"You can not…" I said but was shut up as he used his hug
Isabella POVIt was my wedding day, however, I was dressed as if it was my funeral. My eyes were puffy and red since I was crying all night. I couldn’t shake off the feeling that I was getting married to Don Rodrigo, a man I know nothing about and don't have feelings for. If it wasn’t for my Father and mother, I wouldn't be here, no, I would not have had anything to do with Rodrigo. Sitting on the vanity mirror while staring at my reflection through the mirror, one could say that I was digging my own grave. When I drew out the compartment, I took out a folded picture of Maxwell I always carry along wherever I went to so that he will be close to my heart, staring at it for a moment, running my index on his face imagining him walking into the room to look at me one more time before heading to the altar. We have talked so much about our dream wedding. Maxwell has always loved a simple wedding at the beach but that wasn’t my dream wedding, I have always wanted something classy with my be
Rodrigo's POVWhen I saw Marcello walking behind Isabella, a smile formed on my lips as I stared at her just thinking about what she said to me in the dressing room. With the manner Marcello walked very close to her, I had a feeling she attempted to run away and he caught her. He had a gun held very close to her but no one knew about that. With a smile plastered on her face, anyone would assume that she was happily walking down the aisle to meet her Prince Charming.This wedding was every socialite's dream but Isabella was not one of those women, she wanted nothing more than to escape from this world that I was dragging her into. But I will never let her go, she was my woman and I want to spend the rest of this year with her by my side. The first time I discovered that Issac had a daughter, I never wanted to meet her till I saw her portrait in his living room, Right there I decided that she was going to be the collateral if Isaac found it impossible to meet up with the deal that he si
Isabella's POVMy heartbeat pulsates as anxiety dwelled in my heart, Never did I assume that he would do such a thing. But who was I kidding? This was not Maxwell who was standing here or one of those noblemen, I was standing with the deadliest Mafia leader who was capable of anything. "What did you just say?""I have no interest in sleeping in the same room with you Don" As the latter left my mouth, his eyes darkened as he pointed his gun at me once again which made my heart jump. "What are you doing? That's a gun Rodrigo"He smirked lowering his gun down. "It's good you know when to correct yourself, Isabella, Now we are married and you will have to obey every one of my orders"The tears that I was fighting so hard not to fall on my cheeks poured down as I couldn't take it anymore. That was the ugly reality that has engulfed my soul and there was nothing I could do to fight this nightmare. More than anything, I tried to fight this nightmare, to get away from Rodrigo and run into Ma
Isabella's POV"What do you think you are doing?" The man asked staring at me. The look in his eyes was so frightening that I wished I hadn't walked towards that telephone."I…I…" I was lost for words to say. Then again, this was my honeymoon, at least that what's they said which means that I had a right to be there, he was the one who did not have any right to be here especially since I know nothing about him. As if sensing that a lot of things were running through my mind, he pokes his index finger on my forehead pulling me back to reality."Who are you trying to call?""How good is your eyes?" I asked almost immediately which made him scoff glaring at me. Staring at him, I sensed that he was nothing like the other men who worked for Rodrigo, at least he was nothing like Marcello. The man was annoying as ever and I was glad he was not on this trip with us. He had something to take care of so he had to stay back, without having to ask Rodrigo knew it had to do with something illegal
Rodrigo's POVWhen I returned to the room, I wasn't surprised that Isabella was not in the room where I left her. Glancing around the corner and checking the bathroom she was gone. My Adrenaline rushed up as I realized that Juan Carlos lied to me as well. Just as I suspected he was talking with Isabella and probably covering for her, I felt like a fool but wasn't fazed by Carlos's thoughtless act, he was a brazen fellow with a weak heart which is why he gets disappointed and dumped by women a lot.Talking about my mobile phone, I was about to call Juan Carlos when Isabella entered the bedroom."And where have you been?""I went to the bathroom," She said without blinking an eye. This woman was getting on my nerves, if she wasn't pretty I would have cut her open the day that she defiled me. "What bathroom?" I stared at the bathroom in our bedroom dropping my gaze on the wooden door before gawking at her as I took a step closer to her."The other one""What happened to this one?""It w