In His Grasp: A Mafia Romance novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2: He's Her Stepbrother?

"God, spare her," Isabella murmured a prayer under her breath, her heart steeped in despair as if Death himself had once again swung his scythe in her direction.

"Isabella, you look as pale as a ghost. What's the matter?" Grazia's eyes filled with worry as she noticed the distress etched across Isabella's face.

Shaking her head slightly, Isabella tried to mask her vulnerability. However, when the man's gaze suddenly fell upon her, it was as if a vice had clamped around her throat, squeezing the air out of her lungs. She felt like a fish stranded on dry land, gasping desperately for breath with each attempt to open her mouth.

Her reaction was always the same when she was faced with an unavoidable danger – a suffocating sense of being a fish out of water, struggling to breathe even as she gasped for air. She was timid and fearful, her courage long since drained away by the relentless torment she had suffered living with her aunt and cousin.

As Isabella grappled with her inner demons, she saw a smile crack across Emanuele's icy visage. It was a strange smile, one that sent a shiver down her spine. He recognized her, too! The realization hit her like a freezing tidal wave, causing her muscles to tense involuntarily. She felt a sudden fear that this man might gun her down right there in front of everyone.

The people around them were blissfully unaware of the silent standoff between them. Grazia approached Emanuele first, wrapping him in a hug. He kissed the top of her head, murmuring, "Sorry I'm late."

Afterward, Emanuele embraced Sophia. Then, Sophia, taking Isabella by the hand, led her towards Emanuele.

"Emanuele, meet my daughter, Isabella Gould. She will be your sister from now on."

"Sister," Emanuele echoed the word, as if grappling to comprehend it. The strange smile still lingered on his face, his eyes swirling with a dark, hidden intent. He extended his hand towards Isabella. "Isabella, it's good to meet you."

Isabella stared at Emanuele's large, sturdy hand, the very same one that had been drenched in blood not long ago, the hand that had taken a man's life without remorse, and had nearly taken hers as well. Her stomach churned in discomfort. How could she possibly summon the courage to shake hands with Emanuele?

She couldn't understand her mother's decision, why she would choose to marry a retired mafia boss when she was still young, beautiful, and had so many better options. Marrying into such a family was akin to stepping into the depths of hell, and as Sophia's daughter, Isabella had no choice but to face the wide-open gates of the underworld.

The man standing before her was her grim welcome.

Seeing Isabella's hesitation to shake his hand, Emanuele's eyebrows knitted together, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. His irritation was palpable, though he managed to keep it in check.

"Since we're going to be family, I'll overlook this small breach of etiquette," Emanuele stated.

Isabella had hardly breathed a sigh of relief when Emanuele suddenly drew her into an embrace. His hold was firm and unyielding. As her cheek brushed against the rigid fabric of his suit, she winced slightly. His overpowering masculine scent, a mix of woody cologne and the faint, elusive scent of blood, enveloped her, overwhelming her senses.

"But only this once," Emanuele's hot breath tickled Isabella's ear as he whispered in a low growl, "I regret not killing you when I had the chance."

With just those words, Isabella's body tensed up. She couldn't help but recall the near-death experience from earlier. It made her want to scream and run away from here.

Emanuele released her just as quickly as he had embraced her, leaving Isabella to regain her senses.

"Let's eat!" Grazia urged Isabella, guiding her towards the dining room. Sophia and Leo followed closely behind.