Leandro’s POV
I stared at the phone in my hand, the weight of my next decision pressing down on me. The screen was still glowing with the final text from Isabella, and my gut twisted. She was so damn perfect, so full of life, and here I was — stuck in a world where I didn’t belong, but couldn’t escape.
I wasn’t supposed to care about someone like her. She was a D’Angelo, and I was a Moretti. The lines were drawn the moment we were born. But that didn’t matter anymore. What mattered now was that she needed me, and somehow, I was tangled up in a mess I couldn’t undo.
I had to make the call. There was no way around it. I’d let her down before, but I wouldn’t let it happen again. I couldn’t. Not with her.
I pressed the phone to my ear, waiting for the voice I knew was coming.
“Leandro,” Lucian’s voice crackled through the phone, cold and sharp. “It’s about damn time.”
I exhaled slowly, my heart pounding in my chest. “I want Isabella D’Angelo,” I said, the words heavy. “I want her safe, I want to stop the wedding between her and Elio, and maybe kill him in the process so she can be mine.”
Lucian was silent for a moment, no doubt considering the implications. When he finally spoke, his tone was dark, almost amused. “You’re an idiot, you know that, right? You think you can just ask for her and I’m supposed to hand her over? What makes you think you have that kind of leverage?”
“I’m offering you something you want,” I replied, my voice steady despite the storm in my chest. “You’ve been trying to get that package for weeks. I’ll get it for you — but you’ll help me keep Isabella safe. No more games.”
“Which package are you talking about here? Becaus you know—”
“The Red Ruby. The 5 million dollars worth of Rare Rubies that’s usually being transport every 2 weeks to Milian Jewelry. The next shipping will happen soon, I will steal it and give it to you. I have a big favour to ask so I’m giving you a big favour in return.”
Lucian laughed. It was a harsh, mocking sound. “You really think you can bargain with me, Leandro? You’re a fool. But you know what? I’ve been waiting for you to come around to consider that mission.”
I felt my pulse quicken. “So, you’ll help me?”
“I’ll help you,” he said, his tone suddenly serious. “But you’re going to do exactly what I want. You think you can just have her, walk away, and live your little fairytale? You’re a Moretti. She’s a D’Angelo. You’re nothing but a tool in this game. You don’t get to choose the rules.”
I gritted my teeth. “I’ll do what needs to be done. I just need her out of this. I can’t lose her, Lucian. And I’ll get that package for you, no matter what.”
Lucian’s voice went low, dangerous. “If you fail, Leandro, I’m going to kill her and you. I’ll make sure of it. And don’t think I won’t make her suffer for your failure. You understand me?”
My jaw tightened. “I understand. I will succeed and you will keep your promise”
There was another long pause before Lucian finally spoke again, this time more like he was speaking to a child. “You’re a damn fool, but fine. I’ll help you get her. But only if you do the job. The package is being delivered in four days, and you’ll be the one to get it for me. If you succeed, I’ll keep my word.”
I clenched my fists. “And if I fail?”
“Then you’re out of luck,” Lucian said bluntly. “You’ll lose her and yourself. And I’ll make sure everyone knows it was your fault.”
The call ended abruptly, and I sat there for a moment, letting his words sink in. I was getting deeper into this world. Too deep. But there was no turning back now.
I needed her. I needed Isabella more than I needed air in my lungs.
Hours later, after the phone call, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that was building in the pit of my stomach. The job was going to be dangerous. I knew that. But I also knew that I had to do it. For her.
Isabella was worth every risk, every danger. If she was going to be mine, I had to protect her. I had to keep her safe. Even if it meant sacrificing everything else.
And the truth was, I was starting to care more than I’d ever intended. I cared in ways I couldn’t explain. Ways that scared me.
The knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I straightened up, taking a deep breath, and opened the door to find her standing there. Isabella. Her eyes were red, her face streaked with tears, but she still looked like the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
“Leandro…” she whispered, her voice shaking.
Before I could say anything, she stepped into my arms, clinging to me like I was the only thing keeping her together. I held her close, feeling the weight of her fear pressing into me. My hand stroked her hair as she cried softly into my chest.
“I’m so sorry,” she said between sobs, her body shaking in my arms. “I didn’t want any of this. I never wanted you to be hurt because of me.”
I kissed the top of her head, feeling a tightness in my chest. “It’s not your fault,” I murmured. “This is my mess. My choice. I chose to be with you.”
She looked up at me, tears still in her eyes. “But you’re risking everything for me, Leandro. This is too much. You don’t have to do this. We can find another way. Please, just tell me there’s another way.”
I cupped her face, my thumb brushing away the tears. “There’s no other way. This is the only way we can be together. And I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you’re safe.”
She shook her head, her voice breaking. “But you might not come back. I can’t lose you, Leandro. I won’t be able to live with that.”
“I’ll come back,” I said, my voice firm even though I wasn’t sure I could promise that. “I promise.”
But even as I said the words, I knew the risks were high. I didn’t know if I would make it out of this alive. But there was no way I could walk away.
I pressed my lips to hers, soft and gentle, and for a moment, the rest of the world disappeared. All that mattered was the two of us. And in that moment, I made her a promise — one that I wasn’t sure I could keep, but one I had to make.
“I’ll stay alive for you,” I whispered, my forehead resting against hers. “I won’t leave you. I’m not going anywhere.”
As the night stretched on, the world outside felt like it was closing in on us. But for that brief moment, all that mattered was Isabella. And no matter what happened next, I was going to make sure she knew that she was my priority.
For her, I would risk everything.