The Mafia's Captive Bride

Isabella's POV.

"Isabella, run!" my mother yelled, pushing me towards the underground tunnel.

I heard a gunshot and her scream followed, then everything went silent.

I shut my eyes and I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, my heart pounding in my chest, as tears streamed down my face.

The tunnel seemed endless, but finally I saw a glimmer of light and emerged into the woods.

Branches scratched my face, and I could taste my blood in my mouth. I didn't dare look back, fearing what I might see.

My life was perfect. I had loving parents and a beautiful home. But in the blink of an eye, everything was shattered in a senseless quest for power.

The memories came flooding back. The sound of gunfire, screams, lifeless bodies and my father's headless corpse.

Vincenzo LaRosa, the city's most dangerous mafia lord, massacred the whole Moretti clan in a blood battle.

He stood over my father's body, cut his head off and put it in a plastic bag. The sight was horrible.

I shook the thought off my mind, and remembered my mother's last words, "Survive, darling and avenge the death of your father."

The rain poured down heavily soaking me to the bone. I shivered in my thin pajamas. Feeling cold was the least of my problems, but how to escape these dangerous-looking men that are chasing me tirelessly.

I grew tired of running, but the fear of being caught made me carry on.

I increased my pace, suddenly I stumbled, my ankle twisting in a hidden hole. I cried out in pain, falling hard on the ground. As I struggled to get up, I heard the sound of footsteps closing in.

My heart raced with terror. I quickly dragged myself behind a tree.

They pointed their light in my direction. "I heard her scream from this direction." One of the men said.

"We need to find this girl. How do we explain ourselves to the boss if a small girl escaped the three of us?"

"Maybe a beast caught her." Another said.

"Let's search somewhere else then."

Just as they were about to turn back, I spotted a snake crawling towards me, its beady eyes fixed on me like a target.

Why has fate decided to be cruel all of a sudden? I cried.

It is better to die at the hands of a snake than at the mercy of my enemies. I thought.

The snake drew closer, its forked tongue darting in and out, sensing its prey. Out of fear, I picked a stone and threw it at it, which caused the leaves to shake, calling the attention of the men.

They emerged from the darkness, their flashlights fixed on me. "There she is!" One of them shouted. The snake, startled by the sudden commotion lunged at me, but I quickly dodged it just in time.

My relief was short-lived, as the men pounced on me, grabbing me roughly and dragging me away. I struggled and kicked, but they were too strong.

As they carried me away, I caught a glimpse of the snake crawling away, its mission accomplished, it led my enemies straight to me.

I was dumped in the car, and a sack was put over my head.

I became silent, not daring to talk. I wondered what awaited me in Vincenzo's hands.

After a few hours of driving, the car stopped and the sack was removed from my face.

I closed my eyes, scared of what awaits me if I open them. But one of the guys gave me a huge slap across my face. I opened my eyes immediately as he dragged me down from the car.

My cheek throbbed in pain as I held back my tears.

The building was massive, a beautiful edifice. The outside was painted in white. Cars of different models of limited edition were scattered across the compound that I couldn't see the end of and I marveled.

Thinking that his wealth was built on the blood of innocent people made my inside burn with rage.

I will make him pay dearly for all he has done.

I followed gently behind as I was led into the building. My heart raced as the words of my mother came back to me. "Survive and avenge the death of your father." But how do I go against this ruthless man? I thought. Tears fell from my eyes as I remembered her face which was drenched in blood and my father's headless body.

We stopped in front of a room, and one of the men knocked gently on it. "Bring her inside." He ordered.

My heart raced with fear, wondering what he had planned for me.

The door opened slowly, revealing a man seated majestically in a chair, whirling a black pen in his hand. His aura was dominating.

I stared deeply at him, not believing my eyes. I didn't get a clear picture of his face when he was at our mansion.

How can a heartless man be this gorgeous? I mused. Wondering if my eyes were playing tricks on me.

I swallowed hard, as I felt butterflies in my stomach.

He gazed at me and my legs wobbled. His ocean blue eyes were piercing. His long raven black hair fell down his shoulders, giving him the look of a god.

His lips were pink and full, tempting me for a kiss. He wore a white shirt, with the two top buttons undone revealing his chest. The sleeves were folded and a striking tattoo of a beast adorns his right arm. It was both beautiful and scary as he sat cross-legged.

I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. "I am not supposed to be admiring a man who destroyed my life. I said to myself."

His gaze never left mine. "Sit!" He commanded.

I sat down gently. Our eyes never left each other. I don't want to appear weak before him.

My inside burned with anger as I watched him closely.

"What do you want with me?" I asked him, and he smirked.

He rested his back on his chair, looking straight into my eyes. He was trying to look for any form of discomfort, but I tried my best to hide it.

"Let's get married." He declared. And I didn't know when I stood up and gave him a slap across his face. My hands trembled. What have I done? I asked myself. Fear enveloped me like a cloak.

This man can kill me and no one will judge him. I thought.

He let out an evil laugh. "Hmm, feisty! I like it." He said, standing up.``

I tried running away, fearing that he might hurt me, but unfortunately, the

door was locked.

I looked at him, tears streaming down my face. His gaze was deadly as he approached me.

"What will he do to me?" I wondered.

Vincenzo's POV.

My eyes widened in shock as she landed a slap across my face.

My eyes burned with pleasure. No woman has ever raised her hands at me.

She tried escaping, but the door was locked.

Well, I wasn't going to hurt her though, because I loved her audacity.

No wonder I felt attracted to her when I first saw her.

Tears fell down her gorgeous face and my heart ached.

"What is wrong with me?" I wondered. Had any of my men seen this scenario, they would have thought I had gone crazy. If it was someone else who slapped me, the person would have been covered in blood by now.

She stood at the door, trembling. I smiled, closing her in, I stared deeply into her hazel eyes. She is so beautiful. I marveled.

"I thought you were bold. Why are you trembling like a wet kitten now?" I asked, trying my best to sound harsh.

"I can't marry you." She said. "How do you expect me to marry a man who killed my parents?" She said. The look in her eyes communicated pain and sheer hatred.

I smirked. "I don't care. You are living with me, and that's it." I gripped her neck tightly. Her face turned red. She shook, trying to free herself to no avail.

"Killing you will take me nothing. If you want to stay alive, you must obey me!" I yelled at her.

I loosened my grip on her neck, and she coughed loudly. She sat on the floor, breathing heavily.

"Don't you have a conscience?" She asked, looking up at me. I bent to her level. Mused by the sudden question.

"No dear, I already sold my conscience to the devil." I said, laughing maniacally.

She looked at me, shaking her head. "I would rather kill myself than spend the rest of my life with you." She stared at me, anger burning in her eyes. "I have no life anyway. I am better off dead than being known as the wife of a killer." She stated.

I opened my mouth to speak, but a knock on the door interrupted me. "Come in!" I said.

One of my men walked in. I remembered telling him this morning to go get me a marriage certificate.

He handed the paper over to me, and I collected it. "You can leave." I said. He bowed slightly and exited the room, shutting the door behind him.

I stood up, and went back to my seat. I dropped the papers on the table. I picked up the black ball pen and signed my part on the papers. "Get up, and sign the marriage papers." I ordered.

She sat there, adamant. "Don't make me force you." I said, trying my best not to sound harsh, but she didn't budge.

"Then you leave me no choice." I said, picking up the remote and I switched on the TV.

News was displayed on the screen, as the news reporter was giving a report on the death of the Moretti family.

The video of their house burning was displayed. Isabella's mouth hung open, as tears streamed down her face.

"Did you…" she stammered.

"Finally, we have seen the end of the notorious Moretti Clan that has terrorized our city for a long time. Mr Massimo Moretti, set his house on fire, as he killed himself and his whole family. The whole city is in jubilation as the government has confiscated his whole property.

Their bodies were burnt to ashes., But the body of his only daughter wasn't found. She is probably dead somewhere." The news reporter said.

Isabella screamed as she threw her shoe on the TV screen. She couldn't believe her ears. "You are so heartless!" She exclaimed angrily. She walked towards me, and gripped my shirt. "You killed my family, you still burnt down our house!" She cried, hitting my chest with her tiny fist. With loud screams and tears filled her eyes.

She raised her hand to slap me, but I held it and twisted it backward, pushing her to the ground. "If you do not want to end up like your parents, sign these papers now!" I yelled.

"You are getting on my nerves already." J said, throwing the papers at her.

Her eyes were red, and phlegm streamed down her nose like a river.

She picked up the papers and pen, looking at me, she signed the papers.

With the look in her eyes, I knew she would seek revenge. She looks so determined to make me pay, and I am so ready for it. I love women who are thick-headed and think they can achieve something.

"You are now mine!" I declared, opening my arms, enveloping her in an embrace. She didn't fight, she stayed still.

Why do I want this girl so badly?" I wondered.

My grandfather had instructed me to kill Massimo Moretti and his family, leaving no one alive, but I had disobeyed.

There's something about this woman in my embrace. Have I met her before? I wondered.

She pulled away from me, and she stared at me.

I looked intently at her, and for the first time in my life, I felt sorry.

"It's not my fault, I can't help it either.

I was just obeying instructions." I said to myself.

"I want to change my clothes." She said.

I nodded, allowing her the momentary reprieve. She walked to the closet, selecting a dress with trembling hands. As she stepped into the bathroom, I sat back, my mind racing. Her presence was unlike anything I had encountered. She challenged me, stirred emotions I thought were long dead.

The door clicked open, and she emerged, looking more composed but still defiant."I'll never forgive you," she said, her voice steady but eyes full of hatred. I met her gaze, feeling an unfamiliar pang of regret.