The ballroom looks like heaven.
That's the cruelest part.
Crystal chandeliers drip gold light from the ceiling, catching on diamonds, silk, champagne
glasses. Music floats through the air, it's delicate, refined and beautiful.
No one here looks like a killer.
No one here looks like they will trade their only daughter for power.
This ball has only two rules: No weapons and no violence.
It's a time where all mafia family in the city of Milan come together to celebrate.
My hand rests on Damian's arm
His suit is black. He always wears black like he's in a permanent mourning, maybe it's for
Lorenzo.
People murmured as we walked hand in hand into the ball room, I wanted the ground to
swallow me.
"Smile" Damian said, it was an order.
My practice paid off because I smiled so brightly and I could see my father was pleased.
I tightened my grip around him without even knowing, I felt overwhelmed.
He didn't react, he never does.
I tried not to look at him because I'll only imagine how he killed my brother, but I did. I looked at
him.
He didn't look like a killer at this moment, he looked calm and breathtaking.
His slow gaze shifted to me and we locked eyes, I looked away immediately and swallowed a
lump in my throat.
Did I just admire my brother's killer? What is wrong with me?!
I faced the crowd and continued smiling like I was the happiest person in the world. I just can't
wait for this to be over.A grown man approached us. He looked at Damian and nodded and Damian did the same, they
exchanged greetings.
"Good day Miss Rossi, or should I say Mrs. Volkov" The man said, only the sound of someone
calling me that makes me what to rip my heart out, God forbid I marry the devil himself.
I didn't react much to what he said but my body Language betrayed me.
I smiled "Good day Mr…" I didn't know who he was.
"Edoardo. Edoardo Volkov" He said.
I nodded.
He's one of them.
Mr. Edoardo tried to grab my hand but I flinched.
He chuckled "calm down little one, I wasn't the Volkov that murdered your brother." he said it
while looking at Damian
Damian hardened his fist and let out a deep breath.
"Excuse us uncle, I have to dance with my fiancé" Damian voice sounds cold and demanding.
Oh God, please can I die now, I don't want to be stuck with him.
I sighed and Damian looked at me instantly "What's wrong?" He said.
"uhm… Nothing Mr. Volkov, I feel just fine" I don't feel comfortable around this man.
"You don't have to be formal with me, you'll be my wife soon" Damian said with a little smile.
I couldn't hold it anymore. I looked at him straight in the eye and said "I'd rather die than marry
you, Damain Volkov."
His smile faded and I saw a bit of hurt and then anger. "Let's dance." without letting me oppose
him he grabbed my arm and waist and started dancing, I didn't know how to dance properly so I
kept stepping on him but he didn't complain.
Then it happened, the only song I knew, the only song I could dance to, the song me and Enzo
loved dancing to.
The background noises faded, people left the dance floor and the spotlight was on me and
Damian and all I could hear and feel was the music.
It felt like Lorenzo was there with me, he held my hand and waist and we danced until the music
dropped.Everywhere was quiet and I could feel the tears building up in my eyes, I looked up to avoid
them falling and ruining my makeup.
The crowd started cheering and clapping but Damian just looked at me, worried.
"Are you okay Isabella?" He asked.
"I was. Five years ago." I said with a fake smile and walked away.
He didn't try stopping me, he just let me.
I went straight to the restroom, I couldn't withstand the crowd anymore, I get frightened when
someone got close to me, it felt like they wanted to hurt me.
I was washing my hands while looking at the mirror until a guy walked into the bathroom.
I looked at him instantly "Excuse me! What business do you have in the female's restroom?"
He smiled and looked behind me, I followed his gaze and I saw a wall mounted urinal. My eyes
widened, not in horror but in shame.
I looked at the young man and smiled "so sorry for the discomfort." and I walked past him out of
the restroom.
He followed me out "Hey, Isabella." he said and I looked back at him. "You know me?" I asked
him.
"of course I do, everyone knows you." he said with a smile "I'm Dante Volkov"
"Oh. You're one of them, no wonder you look so much like him" I said with a bored tone and
wanted to dismiss the little conversation and leave.
"Don't. Don't ever compare me with that monster" he said it calmly. Is he always calm?
"Why?" I asked.
"Sweetheart, let's just say I don't want to be associated with the devil himself" he said.
I nodded and left.
I went into the ballroom but it was very busy, people were interacting with each other, this is
the perfect time to make allies.
I sighted my father and Damian talking to another mafia don and mom just stood beside papa
like a puppet, I feel so sad for her. Seems like father really benefited from selling me off.
I sighed and walked out of the ball room, I needed fresh air.
The music fades as the door closes behind me.Cool air brushes against my skin. I grip the stone railing of the terrace and inhaled deeply. I
could see the city from here because this event is hosted on the hills.
The door opened and closed behind me. Foot step echoed. Slowed and measured. I knew who
it was so I refused to turn back.
"I was wondering how long you would last." he said.
"I needed air." I said
"You needed space from Dante."
My head snaps towards him.
He's leaning casually against the doorway, jacket unbuttoned now, tie slightly loosened.
"You were watching?" I asked.
"I watch everything."
There's no arrogance in it. Just the truth.
"He hates you." I say quietly.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Silent stretches between us. The wind lifts a strand of my hair, and he stepped forward and
brushes the strand from my face.
His fingers barely touched my skin.
Barely.
But it feels like fire.
"You should be careful of who you trust tonight, Isabella." he murmurs.
His eyes darkened slightly at that.
"I don't trust anyone.
"
"Good."
A sharp crack splits the night.
Not firework. Not champagne. A gunshot.
The sound echoes across the estate, loud and unmistakable.My heart slams into my throat.
Before I can react, Damian's arm wrapped around my waist and pulls me down against him,
shielding me.
Another shot rings out closer. Too close.
His voice dropped, all softness gone.
"Stay behind me."
And then I see it.
Across the garden, near the hedge, a man stepping out of the shadows, aiming.
Not at Damian.
At me.