CLAIMED BY THE OUTLAW KING

(Isabella's POV)

“Oh, Bella.” Maria’s voice goes soft behind me. “How many men are going to be heartbroken when they see you dressed like this for someone else?”

Maria pushes herself off the big vanity and moves toward me, smoothing the creases on my gown with careful fingers. I stand in front of the full-length mirror and try to keep my breathing steady, though the heavy satin feels tighter with every passing second. The dress is beautiful. The kind of gown every little girl dreams about. Layers of soft white that fall like water to the floor.

I turn a little so the light from the lamps catches the satin, and a short laugh slips out before I can hold it back.

Maria catches my eyes in the glass and offers a small, practiced smile. The same one she’s given me since I was twelve and crying over scraped knees.

“You look perfect,” she says softly. “Luca won’t know what hit him.”

I force a smile back, the one I’ve rehearsed for weeks, and smooth my palms down the front of the dress. The lace at my wrists feels delicate enough to tear at the slightest touch.

“At least I get to wear the prettiest dress,” I smiled. “Even if this isn’t the happiest day of my life.”

Maria goes still for a second. Then she steps closer and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Her fingers feel warm against my flushed skin.

“Bella,” she whispers. “Look at me.”

I stare up at her.

“You don’t have to pretend with me,” she says.

The words hit me harder than I expect it to. My throat tightens.

“I’m trying,” I say. My voice comes out smaller than I want. “I’m really trying, Maria.”

“I know you are, tesoro.” She squeezes my hands. “And you’re doing it for the right reason. For your family. For your papa.”

I nod, because if I speak I might cry and ruin the makeup.

“Papa said this is the only way to save the family.” The words taste bitter as they roll off of my tongue. “That doing this, marrying Luca, is the only way to keep everything from falling apart.”

Maria’s expression softens. She pulls me into a quick hug, careful of the dress. She smells like rosewater and hairspray.

“Then let’s make sure it’s worth it,” she murmurs against my hair. “Let’s make them remember you tonight. Let’s make Luca fall so hard he never looks at another woman again. Okay?”

I pull back and give her a watery laugh. “You always know what to say.”

“That’s my job.” She winks and straightens the veil. “Besides, in that dress? He doesn’t stand a chance.”

Maria glances toward the closed door. Beyond it the faint murmur of the party drifts upward, voices rising and falling like distant waves. Music. Laughter. Glasses.

“Anthonio spared no expense,” she says. “He wants everyone to remember this night.”

“Of course,” the sides of my lips tug up. “He’s my papa after all.”

A soft knock interrupts us. One of the staff members peers inside, face careful and neutral.

“It’s time, Miss Isabella.”

Maria and I exchange one last look. She straightens my short veil while I steady my shoulders. We smooth the skirt, check the tiny buttons at my wrist. My heart beats faster, not from pure joy, but from the simple fact that the night has arrived and there is no turning back.

“Tell me I don’t look terrified,” I whisper.

Maria grins. “You look like a queen who’s about to take her throne. Terrified queens are still queens.”

Together we step into the hallway. The sound of the party grows louder. A warm blend of music and laughter that should feel welcoming but somehow feels staged. Like a movie set. Pretty on the surface and hollow underneath. I glance at Maria and give her a small smile. She looks pretty tonight, just like she always does. Gold dress, hair pinned up, eyes bright.

“You’ll be right there, right?” I ask quietly.

“Front row,” she promises. “I won’t let you do this alone.”

The tall double doors swing open and warm golden light spills over us.

Luca stands at the far end of the long room. The moment he sees me his eyes brighten and a real smile spreads across his face. He looks like a man who’s been given exactly what he wanted. Like he’s been waiting his whole life for this walk.

Conversations hush. Eyes turn. Chairs scrape. I begin the slow walk toward him as the music rises around my steps. The string quartet. The same song Papa picked months ago. Everything feels choreographed. Perfectly rehearsed.

And yet a small, cold thread of unease slides down my spine.

I keep my eyes on Luca. I keep smiling. This is for Papa. This is for the family. This is the only way.

From somewhere, a low, distant rumble reaches my ears.

At first it could be thunder, but it does not fade or soften. Instead it grows. A steady mechanical growl that vibrates through the floor beneath my shoes.

I falter for half a step.

Heads begin to turn toward the tall windows lining the ballroom. Outside, the night remains dark, yet the sound keeps coming. Closer. Heavier. Until it seems to press against the glass itself.

My heart jumps with a small hope and my smile widens.

My Papa sent a surprise after all. So this is his gift. I search the crowd for his face, scanning past the guests in tuxedos and gowns, looking for the man whom I'd do anything for.

I want to catch his eye. I want him to nod. I want to give him the smile that says I trust you, Papa. I’ll do this for us.

Then the rumble becomes a roar. Bright beams of light slice across the lawn beyond the windows. Many of them. Moving in tight formation.

Motorcycles.

But the engines don’t sound like party guests arriving late. They don’t sound celebratory. They sound rougher, lower, and more deliberate. Like men who ride with a purpose.

My heart begins to thud faster. Conversations falter. The music continues for a few stubborn seconds before the violinist misses a note. Then another. The band falters into silence.

Luca’s smile slips. He looks toward the windows too.

“What is that?” someone whispers.

“Security?” another voice answers, but it doesn’t sound sure.

The low growl peaks, right outside the doors, then cuts off all at once.

Silence.

A ringing, heavy quiet that feels louder than the engines ever did.

For a heartbeat no one moves. No one breathes.

Even the chandeliers seem to hold still.

Then the main doors at the far end of the ballroom burst open so hard the wood cracks against the wall.

Men step inside.

They don’t look like a surprise group. They don’t look like Papa’s friends or hired entertainment.

They wear black jackets, dark pants, boots, and carry no flowers.

Their faces are hard and unreadable. Eyes moving over the room in quick, assessing sweeps, like they’re counting exits. Counting people.

Their shadows stretch long across the polished floor.

And the way they’re standing, the way the room goes cold in an instant, terror slides down my spine.

Because these men didn’t come to celebrate.