Veil of Vengeance

Chapter 15: A Night Out

Isabella's POV

The weeks had felt like a never-ending spiral of tension and relentless pursuit of justice for my family. My friends, Claire and Sara, had been persistent, sensing the weight on my shoulders. Tonight, they were determined to pull me out of my self-imposed exile and drag me into the pulsating heart of the city's nightlife.

"No arguments, Isabella," Claire insisted, her tone brooking no disagreement. "We're going out tonight. Just you, me, and Sara."

"I really don't know," I protested, glancing longingly at my stack of case files. "There's so much work to do."

"No way," Sara chimed in, her eyes sparkling. "You need a break. We all do."

Before I could protest further, they had me out of my apartment and into a vibrant bar, buzzing with energy and neon lights. The music was loud, and the crowd was lively. For the first time in weeks, I felt the tension lift slightly as I immersed myself in the rhythm of the night.

We found a booth, and I ordered a cocktail, then another. Claire and Sara were determined to make this night memorable, and they succeeded. We danced, laughed, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a sense of normalcy. The worries of the world seemed distant.

As the night wore on and the alcohol began to take its toll, I felt the familiar spin of drunkenness. Claire and Sara's voices sounded distant as they tried to keep me steady.

"I need some air," I said, my words slightly slurred.

"Good idea," Claire agreed. "But don't wander off. We'll be right here."

I stumbled outside, the cool night air hitting me with a refreshing contrast. Leaning against the wall, I tried to clear my head, but the world still seemed to spin around me.

That's when I saw him—Alessandro, emerging from the shadows, his dark eyes scanning the crowd. Our gazes locked, and I felt a strange flutter in my chest, intensified by the alcohol.

"Isabella," he said, his voice a low, concerned rumble. "What are you doing out here alone?"

"I needed air," I managed to say, though my speech was still uneven. "Claire and Sara are inside."

Alessandro's gaze was assessing, his concern evident. "You've had too much to drink. Let me take you home."

Before I could respond, a group of men emerged from an alleyway, their faces leering and menacing. They eyed Alessandro with a mix of curiosity and hostility.

"Hey, beautiful," one of them called out, his voice dripping with sleaze. "Why don't you come over here?"

Alessandro's expression turned cold. "Not interested."

The men laughed, moving closer. "You think you can just tell us what to do?"

Alessandro's face hardened, his eyes darkening. "I'm warning you. Leave now."

The men didn't back off. They advanced, and Alessandro sprang into action. His movements were precise and ruthless—he fought with an intensity that was both mesmerizing and terrifying. The way he handled the situation, with cold efficiency, was a stark contrast to the warmth in his eyes when he first saw me.

The fight was brutal, and I watched in a daze as Alessandro took down the men one by one. It was clear he had no intention of showing them mercy. The scene unfolded with a raw intensity, leaving me both awed and shaken.

When the last man was subdued, Alessandro's gaze returned to me, a flicker of concern still present. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, though the room still spun slightly. "Yeah, thanks to you."