Taken By The Mafia

CHAPTER TWO

Don Lorenzo DeLuca sat in his opulent office, bathed in the soft glow of the morning sunlight streaming through the ornate curtains.

He had a cup of espresso in hand, sipping it thoughtfully as he reviewed the information he had about Isabella Romano. The stack of papers in front of him held the details of her life – a life filled with struggles, loss, and determination.

Isabella's profile contained her name, age, and the stark fact that her parents had passed away, leaving her to care for her sick sibling, Marco.

The young woman had dropped out of college, finding herself juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet, not just for herself but also for the medical bills her ailing brother so desperately needed.

Don Lorenzo was known for his ruthlessness in the criminal underworld, but he wasn't devoid of a sense of responsibility and a touch of compassion, particularly when it came to the women under his care.
          He knew he held power over their lives, and he often used it to both protect and exploit. He understood that Isabella was in a vulnerable position, and her life had taken a sudden, unexpected turn.

With the information in hand, Lorenzo decided to summon Isabella. He picked up his office phone and dialed a number he knew well, calling one of his most trusted men, Jason, to come to his office.

Shortly after, Jason entered the room with a respectful nod and a warm "Good morning, boss."

The two shared a history that went beyond mere business, a friendship that Lorenzo refused to acknowledge openly, though his faint smile hinted at their closeness.

"Porta Isabella qui" (Bring Isabella here) Lorenzo said in Italian, his mother tongue.

Jason replied in kind, "Sì, boss," and promptly left to carry out the orders.

Meanwhile, in the room where Isabella was staying, a room far grander than her tiny, modest apartment, she had spent a sleepless night. Her mind raced with thoughts of her brother's condition and plans for escape.

The overwhelming worry for Marco weighed heavily on her, but she knew that any attempt to break free from her current situation would require careful planning.

Isabella was jolted from her thoughts by a knock on her door. She approached it, hesitated for a moment, then turned the doorknob to find herself face to face with a strikingly handsome man with dark hair and fair skin. His rugged charm was undeniable, but it was also laced with an air of danger.

He's cute

A polite smile played on the man's lips as he spoke, "Boss wants to see you in his office."

Boss?

Isabella was momentarily puzzled by the reference to the "boss," until she realized he was referring to the other striking gentleman.

The one she would soon call her husband. Fear crept up her spine, but she nodded faintly and replied, "Ok."

With that, she made her way to Don Lorenzo's office, her heart pounding with every step.

Jason had walked ahead of her, knocking lightly on the office door before it swung open, revealing a spacious and tastefully decorated room.

Lorenzo was seated behind a polished wooden desk, his sharp eyes locked onto Isabella as she stood hesitantly in the doorway.

"Entrare" he said, a language foreign to her.

Jason flashed a reassuring smile and told her, "Don't worry, he doesn't bite... not now," before leaving her to face the formidable mafia don alone.