The Mafia's Mistress

Into the Abyss

The ride back to Luca's mansion was agonizingly quiet, and Bella's mind raced with a thousand thoughts. Marco's warning echoed in her ears, his words gnawing at her resolve. You're in over your head. She tried to shake the feeling, but it clung to her, a constant reminder that she had willingly stepped into a world she didn't fully understand.

When the car finally pulled up to the front of the mansion, the massive iron gates slid open, and Bella felt the heavy weight of her new reality settle in. The driver opened her door, and she stepped out onto the cobblestone driveway, her legs slightly shaky from the tension of the encounter.

As she made her way inside, she expected to be greeted by Maria or one of the other staff, but instead, Luca stood by the entrance, his gaze focused squarely on her. His suit was impeccable, as always, and his expression unreadable. He was like a statue—cold, composed, and impossible to decipher.

Bella's heart pounded in her chest. She had done what he'd asked, but she didn't know if it had been enough. Would Luca be satisfied? Or had she missed some unseen test?

Luca watched her approach, his dark eyes scanning her face for any sign of weakness. Bella felt herself stiffen under his gaze, doing her best to appear calm and unshaken. When she finally stood in front of him, he raised an eyebrow.

"Well?" he asked, his voice low and deliberate. "How did it go?"

Bella took a deep breath before answering, her words careful and measured. "I delivered your message. Marco knows what's at stake."

Luca's eyes narrowed slightly, as though he were reading every detail of her face, searching for cracks in her composure. "And how did he respond?"

"He agreed to pay," Bella said. "You gave him a week, so I did the same."

For a moment, Luca was silent, his gaze piercing through her. Then, slowly, he nodded, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Good," he said, his voice soft yet filled with approval. "You did exactly what I needed you to."

Relief flooded through Bella's body, though she kept her expression neutral. She had passed the test. But just as quickly as the relief came, it was replaced by something darker—an unsettling feeling that her success came at a price.

Luca stepped closer to her, his presence overwhelming as he looked down at her, his eyes never leaving hers. "I knew you had it in you," he murmured, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "There's more strength in you than you realize, Bella."

Bella swallowed hard, her throat dry. Luca's words felt like both a compliment and a warning, as if he was reminding her that he saw more in her than she saw in herself. She wasn't sure whether that was a good thing or a dangerous one.

"I did what you asked," she said quietly, her voice more uncertain than she intended. "But is this what you wanted from me, Luca? To become someone like this?"

Luca's expression softened just a little, and for the first time, she saw a glimmer of something almost human behind his cold exterior. "You misunderstand, Bella," he said, his tone gentler now. "I'm not trying to change you. I'm showing you what you're capable of. The world we live in demands a certain strength, a certain ruthlessness. You have it in you—you just haven't tapped into it yet."

Bella's breath caught in her throat as his words sank in. He was shaping her, molding her into something new. And whether she liked it or not, she was being drawn deeper into his world.

"You said this life would be dangerous," Bella replied, her voice wavering. "But I didn't realize how quickly I'd have to prove myself."

Luca's hand lifted, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. The gesture was so unexpectedly tender that it sent a shiver down her spine. "Everything in this life moves fast," he said softly. "You either keep up, or you're left behind."

Bella's heart thudded in her chest as his fingers lingered just a moment too long against her skin. There was a magnetism to Luca, something dark and alluring that pulled her in even when every instinct told her to run. But running wasn't an option anymore. Not when she was this deep.

"I'll do what I need to," Bella said, her voice firmer this time. "I'm not going to fail."

Luca's lips curved into a small, approving smile. "That's what I like to hear."

He stepped back, breaking the tense moment between them, and Bella let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Luca's gaze lingered on her for a few more seconds before he turned toward the staircase, motioning for her to follow.

"There's more I need to discuss with you," Luca said as he led her toward his private study. The heavy wooden doors loomed ahead, and when they opened, the room beyond was as opulent as everything else in Luca's mansion. Dark leather chairs, a massive oak desk, and bookshelves lined with old volumes filled the space.

Luca gestured for Bella to sit as he moved behind the desk, pouring two glasses of whiskey. He handed one to her before sitting across from her, his eyes never leaving her face.

"There's a reason I wanted you to handle Marco Rossi," Luca began, taking a slow sip of his drink. "It wasn't just about testing you. Marco is part of something bigger. Something I need you to help me deal with."

Bella frowned, her fingers tightening around the glass. "Something bigger?"

Luca nodded. "Marco owes more than just money. He's involved with a rival family, one that's been making moves against me for months. I needed you to show him that I'm not weak, but more importantly, I needed you to make an impression."

"An impression?" Bella repeated, confused.

Luca leaned forward, his eyes dark and calculating. "Word will get out, Bella. Marco will talk, and people will start to wonder about you. Who you are. Why you're with me. And that's exactly what I want."

Bella's heart raced as she listened, the full scope of Luca's plan starting to become clear. He was using her, not just to deliver a message, but as a symbol of his power. Of the control he had over her.

"And what happens when they find out I'm just... me?" Bella asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Luca's smile was cold, dangerous. "You're not 'just' anything, Bella. You're with me, and that makes you powerful. Whether you realize it or not."

Bella felt a chill run down her spine as Luca's words settled into her mind. She had become more than just an outsider in his world. She was becoming a part of it, a tool in his arsenal of influence and control.

And as much as it terrified her, part of her couldn't help but feel drawn to it—the power, the danger, the way Luca made her feel like she belonged to something bigger, even if it came with a price.

"I understand," Bella said quietly, her voice steady but her heart still racing. "I'll do what needs to be done."

Luca raised his glass in a silent toast, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "To your future, Bella. Welcome to the real game."

Bella clinked her glass against his, the sound sharp and final. She had crossed a line, and now she was deep inside Luca's world—a place where strength, loyalty, and survival were all that mattered.

There was no turning back now.