The Mafia's Mistress

Beneath the Surface

Bella stared at the door long after Luca disappeared, his words echoing in her mind. You'll belong to me. The weight of that promise, that warning, hung heavy in the air around her. She hadn't expected to feel so off-balance, so vulnerable in his presence. Her life, once predictable and safe, now felt like it was teetering on the edge of something much darker.

But she had made her choice. She'd chosen to stay. Now, she had to face what came with it.

The tension in the room was palpable, wrapping itself around her like a suffocating blanket. She rose from her seat, walking to the large windows that overlooked the estate's sprawling grounds. The city skyline blinked faintly in the distance, a reminder of the world she'd just left behind. A part of her wanted to run, to bolt out the door and never look back. But the other part—the part that had drawn her to Luca in the first place—kept her rooted to the spot.

What was it about him that had captured her so completely? It wasn't just his power or his wealth. It was something more, something that gnawed at her, pulling her deeper into his orbit. He saw her, in a way no one else had before. And that scared her more than anything.

The door creaked open behind her, and Bella turned to see Luca standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable. He took in the scene, his dark eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her pulse quicken.

"Follow me," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Bella hesitated for only a second before following him down a narrow hallway. The mansion felt even more imposing now, the quiet overwhelming. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was stepping into a world where she no longer held the reins—where Luca controlled everything, including her.

He led her to another room—much smaller, more intimate than the grand sitting room they'd just left. The walls were lined with bookshelves, but this wasn't a study. It was a space meant for private moments, for secrets. In the middle of the room was a long wooden table, polished and empty. On the wall behind it, a massive painting of a stormy sea hung ominously, the waves crashing violently against jagged rocks.

Luca gestured to the table. "Sit."

Bella complied, sliding into one of the chairs as Luca took his place across from her. He leaned back, his fingers steepled in front of him, watching her closely.

"You made a bold choice tonight," he said, his voice low and measured. "But do you truly understand what that choice means?"

Bella swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. "I'm not sure," she admitted. "But I want to know."

Luca's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "This isn't a game, Bella. The moment you chose to stay, you tied yourself to me—and to everything I do. You won't just be a part of my life. You'll be involved. You'll see things you're not ready to see, and do things you're not prepared to do."

His words sent a shiver down her spine, but she held his gaze. "And if I said I was ready?"

Luca studied her for a moment, the silence stretching between them like a tightrope. Then, without warning, he stood and walked toward her. He moved slowly, deliberately, like a predator closing in on its prey. When he reached her, he leaned down, his face inches from hers, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Don't say things you can't take back."

Bella's breath caught in her throat. His proximity was overwhelming, his presence consuming her completely. She could feel the heat radiating off his body, the intensity of his gaze holding her captive.

"I'm not afraid," she whispered back, though the tremble in her voice betrayed her.

Luca's lips curved into a dark smile, but there was no amusement in it—only possession. "You should be."

He straightened, his eyes never leaving hers as he circled the table slowly, like a panther stalking its prey. "This world," he began, his voice smooth but laced with danger, "isn't one you can dip your toes into and then walk away. If you stay, you'll be part of my operations. That means blood on your hands, secrets to keep, and enemies you'll have to face."

Bella's heart pounded in her chest, the reality of his words sinking in. She hadn't thought this far ahead—hadn't considered what it truly meant to be involved with a man like Luca Moretti. This wasn't some thrill-seeking adventure. It was life or death.

"And what do you get out of this?" she asked, her voice soft but steady.

Luca paused, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. "You."

The simplicity of his answer sent a shockwave through her. He wasn't offering her protection, or money, or anything tangible. What he wanted was her—her loyalty, her body, her mind. All of her.

Bella's breath came shallow, her skin tingling with the intensity of the moment. "You already have me," she said, barely above a whisper.

A shadow of satisfaction crossed Luca's face, but his expression remained controlled, as if this was exactly the response he had expected.

"Good," he said, his voice soft but firm. "Because once you're in, Bella, there's no turning back. And if you betray me—" he leaned forward, his eyes flashing with a deadly promise—"you won't live long enough to regret it."

The coldness in his voice sent a chill down her spine, but at the same time, it ignited something deep inside her. The thrill of danger, the pull of forbidden power—it was intoxicating. She couldn't deny that she wanted this, wanted him, despite the darkness that surrounded him.

Luca straightened, walking to the door, his back to her now. "You'll stay here tonight," he said, his tone returning to its usual commanding calm. "In the morning, we'll talk about what comes next."

Bella stood, her legs feeling unsteady beneath her, but her resolve firm. She was in too deep now, too far gone to turn back. And the truth was, she didn't want to. She wanted to see where this path would lead, even if it meant stepping into a world that would devour her whole.

Luca opened the door and gestured for her to follow him. As they walked through the mansion's darkened halls, Bella's mind raced with questions. What did this new life look like? What would he ask of her? And more importantly—what would it cost her?

He led her to a lavish bedroom at the far end of the mansion, its wide windows overlooking the quiet, moonlit grounds. The room was large, but it felt suffocating in its opulence, as if it belonged to someone else—a person she wasn't sure she wanted to become.

Luca stopped at the threshold, his eyes lingering on her face. "Get some rest," he said quietly. "Tomorrow, everything changes."

Bella nodded, but her mind was spinning. She watched as he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving her alone in the room. She stood there for a moment, taking in the weight of his words.

Tomorrow, everything would change. She had stepped over the line. Now, there was no going back.

And as she lay down on the plush bed, staring at the dark ceiling above her, Bella couldn't help but wonder what kind of woman she would become by Luca's side—and whether she would survive the transformation.