Isabella's POV
I watched Diego vanish into the darkness from the passenger's seat of my car.
He ran like a man whose life had already been stolen once.
"Boss, why did you ask me to step down from the car at the murder scene and follow the boys to derail them and keep Diego safe?" Angel asked.
"Normally I should have ordered you to finish him off,
That is how our world works—witnesses shouldn't survive.
But there is something about his fear that felt different.
And for reasons I can't explain, I chose silence over blood." I said.
I could see the confusion on Angel's face as we drove home but I had so much to worry about that I didn't care if he believed me or not.
My head drifted to my engagement tomorrow, to a man I have no emotional connection with.
As I entered the house my mood changed—today is my last evening as a free woman.
I couldn't sleep, I lay on my bed trying to accept the reality I have to live in from tomorrow.
Early the next day.
As sunlight filtered through silk curtains and painted my bedroom in soft gold, I felt something worse than fear.
I felt trapped in my Father's ambitions and dreams.
The house was already lively with movement. Invitees were already flooding the mansion. Staff hurried past my door with clipped urgency. The air smelled of expensive perfume, fresh flowers, and beautiful decorations.
Today is my engagement lunch.
I stared at myself in the mirror as the maids adjusted my dress—cream silk gown, fitted perfectly, bringing out my curved hips and beautiful shape, elegant enough to make any cartel daughter look like royalty. My hair fell in soft waves down my back. Diamonds jewelry rested against my chest.
"Señorita Isabella," one of the maids said gently, "you look beautiful."
Beautiful!
That word followed me everywhere. It had nothing to do with who I was—only what I represented. I was just a bargaining object to my Dad. A bargaining piece in alliances forged with blood and money.
Andrew Demelo, the heir to the Bonga Cartel, the man my father chose for me, my fiance was already at the mansion.
Andrew had made sure everything was on point for the engagement. He is a man of details and perfection. Five-star catering, imported wine, musicians flown in from Spain, both families seated like royalty around a long polished table.
He knew how to impress my father and he knew how to show off what he has. He wanted people to appreciate him, to hold him in high esteem. Most especially he wanted me, he had been obsessed with me since the day he saw me.
Even if our parents didn't arrange this, he would have still come after me. When he looked at me, he saw what he wanted in his woman. The truth is, I have never loved him and our world, I was just trained to be like my Dad, so I can take over one day.
As I descended the staircase, heels clicking softly, I got a glimpse at the beauty of the atmosphere, I felt pity for Andrew. For he had put so much into this when I didn't feel anything for him. As I arrived downstairs I caught sight of Andrew standing near the table. Tall, elegant and well-dressed. Handsome in a polished and predictable way. He smiled when he saw me—the kind of smile meant to reassure both families that everything was perfectly under control. Deep inside he knew this was just one sided.
I took my seat beside him.
My father, Mateo De La Cruz, sat at the head of the table. Looking calm and chilled. If only people knew that behind this calmness is a cold blooded monster. I hate what he represents but he is my father.
And I love him.
Andrew leaned closer. "You okay?" he whispered.
I nodded automatically.
The ceremony began.
Speeches were made, people were laughing and clapping. The parents talked of future plans, the marriage date. Expansion deals concerning the underworld were discussed by the fathers secretly. We were practically spoken off like commodities to be acquired.
I got fed up.
I felt like I was suffocating in silk and lies.
Andrew stood at one point, lifting his glass. "I just want to say how honored I am to be joining the De La Cruz family.
Isabella means everything to me, and I promise to protect her, cherish her, and—"
I stood up.
The room froze.
Forks paused midair.
Voices died.
Andrew looked at me, confusion flickering across his face. "Isabella?"
My hands trembled, but it was like a load I had to offload.
Even though I was scared, my voice was steady.
"I'm sorry," I said.
That was all.
I turned and walked away.
Angel followed me.
"Isabella, wait! Wait! Angel screamed."
I kept running, I knew what I did was going to rain hell on me but all I could think of at that moment was myself for once in my life. Andrew calling my name.
My father's voice—sharp and dangerous—cutting through the room.
"Isabella."
I didn't stop.
I didn't look back.
I ran out of the mansion, into the sunlight, into freedom that tasted like terror.
I didn't know where I was going—only that I couldn't stay.
I climbed into my car and Angel opened the passenger's door and hopped in and I drove off fast.
Music blasted from open windows. The city was very busy, with cars driving up and down and people walking.
My phone buzzed relentlessly.
Father, Andrew, Mother, and Unknown numbers. The same happened to Angel's phone, but I warned him not to pick. We both finally turned our phones off.
As the sun began to set, I felt my bones and body exhausted from emotional stress.
Then my memory wandered to Diego, the boy I let survive after what he saw yesterday.
"Boss you need to calm down, and talk to me, what is your plan now after what you just did? You know your Dad and Andrew wouldn't let this slide." Angel said softly.
"I wish I knew what my next action will be, all I know is, I am a De La Cruz, the Lioness born of a Lion. Not even my Dad can force me into a marriage I don't agree with. For now, I just need to go somewhere noisy so I can forget who l am just for a while," I said.
All i felt like doing is clubbing,
The bass hit my body the moment I stepped inside the club—loud and relentless. With lights of different colors flashing on and off, people dancing and sweating with shouts of joy and fun.
For the first time that day, I breathed.
I ordered whisky for myself and Angel.
I took a shot of whisky, as I scanned the club—when I saw a tall guy. He was loud, more comfortable in noisy places like this. It was obvious he was talking with someone seated in front of him but I couldn't see the person. As he laughed and tried to take his seat, I saw the face of his friend.
Isn't this Diego? I whispered to myself.
Suddenly he stood and slapped Diego's shoulder as they laughed and moved toward the dance floor.
Diego looked different here. Less afraid. Still tense—but alive.
Our eyes met.
Something sparked.
He looked so cute. He had a broad hairy chest which fitted well into the t-shirt he wore. His pants that brought out his strong manly legs. His blue eyes and neat hair style. Short at the sides and long in the middle.
We both gazed at each other, and there was a silent recognition.
I approached him slowly, weaving through dancers until I stood close enough to feel his warmth.
"You look like you didn't sleep," I said.
He smiled weakly. "You could say that."
"Rough day?"
"Rough life."
I laughed softly. "Fair."
We talked about nothing that important, and about everything. Music, School, Dreams that felt too big for the world we lived in. He didn't tell me what he'd seen. I didn't tell him what I was running from.
But we both knew.
The air between us was heavy with unspoken truths.
We both felt there was something missing.
For the first time in years, I felt… normal.
Then the doors slammed open.
Gunshots ripped through the music.
Angel ran to me and pulled me behind the bar counter. Screams continue to erupt, people scattered, while Diego and some other people lay flat on the ground.
Andrew stormed in with his men—guns raised, fury carved into his face.
My blood ran cold.
"ISABELLA!" he shouted.
My heart stopped for a minute.
Andrew ordered his men to pick any person from the crowd and they picked Diego, yanking him forward. A gun pressed hard against Diego's head.
"Isabella, I know you don't want me to spill innocent blood, come out now or I blow his brain off." Andrew threatened.
I peeped through the mirror and I saw it was Diego whose life was at stake.
"Angel i have to save him," I said
Before Angel could say anything, I stood up
"No!" I screamed.
Here I am.
Andrew's voice was venom. "Come with me. Now."
Diego's eyes met mine—trying to indicate I don't follow Andrew.
"This is between us," Andrew said. "Surrender, or he dies."
The club was in chaos—broken glass, blood on the floor, music still pounding like a heartbeat refusing to stop.
I stepped forward.
"Let him go," I said. "This has nothing to do with him."
Andrew laughed bitterly. "Everything has to do with him now."
I raised my hands slowly.
"I'll come."
Diego shook his head. "No—don't—"
The gun pressed harder.
I had made one choice the night before.
Now I am making another.
I don't know why I keep risking it for Diego but it felt like the right thing at that moment.
And this time—There would be consequences.
At that point Angel had called the boys and they came in just as I was about getting close to Andrew. Gun fire started.
Diego airbowed the gunman's stomach and threw himself to the floor and I took his head and smashed it on my knee, then I took Diego and we ran off.
Gun fire continued between the Cartels,
Andrew shouted, "don't shoot Isabella or you will face my rod. Instead shoot that son of a bitch."
Angel went for Bruce to keep him safe. Screams continued to increase as more gun shots were fired.