Three weeks.
It had been three long weeks since that stormy night with Leonardo, and Isabella had been living in constant conflict ever since.
She told herself it was a mistake, that it was nothing but a twisted product of fear and captivity. But every night when she closed her eyes, she felt his touch all over again—his hands claiming her, his lips setting her on fire, the way he whispered her name like it belonged to him alone.
And now… something was different.
Isabella stood in the grand bathroom, gripping the edge of the marble sink, staring at the pregnancy test in her trembling hands. The little plastic stick mocked her with its two faint pink lines.
Positive.
Her stomach churned violently, though she wasn't sure if it was nausea or pure panic.
This can't be happening. This can't—
She dropped the test, pacing the floor. "I can't have his child," she whispered to herself, panic clawing up her throat. "I have to leave. I have to get out before he finds out."
But leaving Leonardo DeLuca wasn't just difficult—it was impossible. He had tightened security around her since that night, claiming it was "for her protection." Guards shadowed her every move, the gates of the mansion locked tighter than a fortress.
And if he discovered she was carrying his heir… Isabella didn't know what he'd do.
---
Leonardo found her that evening, standing on the balcony overlooking the sprawling gardens. The golden sunset cast his sharp features in a glow that made him look even more dangerous, more untouchable.
"You've been avoiding me," he said, stepping up behind her.
Isabella's spine stiffened. "Maybe because you kidnapped me," she snapped without turning around.
He chuckled softly, the sound low and menacing. "And yet, bella, you're still here." His hand brushed down her arm, and she shivered despite herself. "You could've begged me to let you go… but you didn't."
She spun to face him, anger and fear mixing in her eyes. "Because you'd never let me leave! Don't pretend I have a choice here."
Leonardo's smirk faded, his jaw clenching. He stepped closer, his voice dropping to that dangerous purr. "You have more choices than most who cross me. Don't forget that."
Her chest rose and fell rapidly. She wanted to scream at him, to claw at his perfect composure, but instead… she felt tears sting her eyes.
Leonardo's expression shifted. For the first time since she met him, she saw something flicker behind his eyes—concern? Regret? He reached up, brushing a tear from her cheek with surprising gentleness.
"What's wrong?" he asked quietly, his voice losing its usual sharpness.
Isabella shook her head, turning away to hide her trembling hands. "Nothing," she whispered. "I just… I just need some air."
But Leonardo didn't buy it. He moved in front of her, his large hand gripping her chin, forcing her to meet his intense gaze. "Don't lie to me, Isabella. I'll find out."
Her stomach twisted painfully. The truth sat heavy on her tongue, but fear kept it locked away. If she told him now, would he even believe her? Or would he see it as a trap, another reason to keep her imprisoned forever?
She swallowed hard and pushed past him, muttering, "I'm fine," before retreating inside.
---
That night, sleep eluded her. Isabella paced her room until dawn, thoughts racing. She couldn't hide this forever. Sooner or later, Leonardo would notice. And when he did…
The door slammed open suddenly, making her jump. Leonardo strode in, his face like a storm, his black eyes blazing.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he growled.
Her heart dropped to her stomach. "W-What are you talking about?"
He slammed something down on the dresser—a crumpled pharmacy receipt. For a pregnancy test.
"I had my men search your room," he hissed, stalking toward her like a panther closing in on prey. "You're carrying my child, bella."
Isabella's breath caught. Fear surged through her, but beneath it, a strange wave of defiance burned brighter.
"Yes," she said, voice shaking but firm. "I'm pregnant."
Leonardo stopped just inches away from her, his hands fisting at his sides. His chest rose and fell rapidly, fury and something else darkening his expression.
"You were going to run," he accused, his voice dripping with betrayal. "You were going to steal my heir and disappear."
"I had no choice!" Isabella cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. "You terrify me, Leonardo! I can't raise a child in this… this world of blood and guns!"
Something inside him snapped. He grabbed her waist, yanking her against him, his face inches from hers. "That's my child," he growled, his voice rough and raw. "Do you hear me? Mine. And no one—not you, not the f***ing FBI, not God himself—will take you or that baby away from me."
Isabella's breath hitched, her body trembling against his. The possessiveness in his tone was terrifying… and yet, deep down, part of her felt a dangerous, inexplicable safety in his words.
"You think you can just claim me like property?" she spat, her voice cracking.
Leonardo's grip softened slightly, his expression twisting with something unfamiliar—something almost vulnerable. He leaned closer, his forehead resting against hers.
"You don't get it," he whispered hoarsely. "I don't do love. I don't do family. But you… you're changing everything. And I don't know how to stop it."
The raw honesty in his voice stole her breath. Before she could respond, Leonardo's lips crashed onto hers in a desperate, searing kiss that left her dizzy.
But just as her knees threatened to give out, a deafening bang echoed through the mansion—gunshots.
Leonardo ripped away from her, eyes blazing with fury. He pulled a gun from the back of his waistband, his voice low and lethal.
"Stay here," he ordered, his tone brooking no argument. "No matter what happens, don't move."
Isabella's heart pounded as she clutched her stomach, fear clawing at her. She watched Leonardo disappear into the hallway, shouting orders to his men as chaos erupted downstairs.
And for the first time, the chilling reality hit her like a freight train:
This wasn't just a dangerous love affair anymore.
She was carrying the heir to a mafia empire… and someone out there wanted them both dead.