Rescued

Isabella’s POV

I didn't know how long I had been there, but there was a sour taste somewhere at the back of my mouth.

I tried sitting up in the darkness and regretted my actions immediately. The pain bolted through my head with a force that left me breathless.

After the pain washed over me, the next thing I felt was fear. My heart raced suddenly.

Where the heck was I?

A lot of wrong things had happened in my life just in the space of a day.

The footsteps I heard made me recoil backward. Suddenly, my senses started working, and I could perceive the metallic smell of blood.

I could hear a group of men having an argument in the native language.

The footsteps had gotten close now. There was a pause, and soon I heard the loud clunk of something being turned on. Light suddenly filled the room, and I closed my eyes immediately, wincing.

“Oy, ma bella. You're awake already? That's not good. This will be painful,” I heard, and slowly, I opened my eyes.

A man with tattered long hair was standing in front of me. He was bare-chested and covered in tattoos. He reeked of alcohol.

I winced and looked around.

The building looked like an abandoned warehouse.

I had a bad feeling that I was very far away from home.

“Please…” I called out, but my throat was parched and dry.

“No need to beg me. You already had an ill-fated life when you got chosen as the Don’s bride,” he said nonchalantly.

My eyes widened when I saw him bring out a penknife.

“Please… I never consented to marry him,” I said eagerly. Even if the Don heard I was dying, it would be of no concern to him.

“Like you have a choice. We can't let you bear an heir. Don't take this personally, okay?” he said, coming toward me.

I started to scream out in fear as he gripped my hand, the knife slashing into my flesh.

“You went to the mansion, isn't that right? What do you remember?” he asked fiercely. From behind, I could hear the sound of men’s laughter.

“She’s such a weakling. It would be no fun if you kill her too soon.”

I shook my head.

“I didn't even know anything about the mansion. I had been literally dragged there.”

The pain was driving me senseless. I trembled, shutting my eyes tight like it would help take the pain away.

Just as I felt the cold edge of the steel press against my palm again, the sound of a loud gunshot was heard. Suddenly, something warm spilled on my body.

With a start, I opened my eyes, and I realized it was blood. The man was lying on the floor, covered in his own blood.

The sight almost made me throw up, but I had no time for this.

“Take your filthy hands off my bride, you motherfuckers!” The voice sounded through the hall.

That voice.

Before I could understand what was happening, the bulky man from earlier had started firing bullets at the men behind me.

I swear I urinated on myself, but I was already covered in blood. There was a bullet rain pouring, and I was in the middle of the battlefield.

Just like the Don could read my thoughts, he came rushing to me. In one swift movement, I was carried in his arms, hurdled again… on his shoulder.

I could hear screaming and the firing sound of guns. He had literally been shielding us from the bullets as he fired back the whole time.

Soon, the sound died down. I didn't know how long it took because I was half-conscious from all the blood I had lost, and the pain was dulling out my senses.

Giovanni's POV

When I confirmed that the men were all dead, I placed her on the ground.

“Ma bella,” I called, slightly shaking her. She didn't reply, but her eyes were open.

“You must have been shocked,” I said, holding her firmly. With a start I realized that her palm was oozing out blood.

She was passing out.

“Stay with me…” I whispered.

I carried her in my arms and yelled for Rizz to send in the doctor to the mansion.

I placed her in the backseat and moved inside the car. I drove off without thinking of speed regulations, hoping that the Moretti men weren’t after me. This was not the time.

I didn’t know why, but I was helplessly worried that something would happen to her. I didn’t know her. I shouldn’t care.

I wouldn’t treat her any differently even if she got well, so why was I so worried? Why did my heart skip?

Deep down, I knew the answer. Right from the moment I had laid in her lap and her scent had enveloped me, I couldn't move on. She had the fragrance of my mother. The way she lightly touched my head—it was enough to drive me crazy.

Something about her felt familiar.

I drove into the mansion like my life depended on it.

Hurriedly, I carried her out of the car and shouted orders for the treatment to commence. She was already unconscious by then.

Just as I was about to step into the mansion, the Godfather came out, a stern look on his face.

“You disobeyed my orders,” he said, and I winced inwardly. This was definitely not the time for this.

“Father, she's badly injured,” I said.

“Let her die. She won’t be allowed to enter.”

His words shocked me. I knew he hated my guts, but what had she done to deserve this?

“Father…”

“Leave her be. Take one step, and she will be shot dead.” His threats rang in my ears.

“Father!” I groaned, holding on tightly to her. I wasn’t even sure if she was still breathing. She felt so still in my arms.

“You won’t be allowed to come in until you get rid of her, and you know that you can’t go to a hospital, right? You’ll be taken in immediately,” he said before turning his back on me.

I stared at him, anger erupting from within me. The same way he had walked away when my mother went missing.

Just then I realized I had made a mistake my father might never forgive me for.

The look in my father’s

eyes told me she was never supposed to leave that warehouse alive.