In His Grasp: A Mafia Romance novel Chapter 6

Chapter 6: She Doesn't Want to Get Married

Isabella's modest and compact sanctuary had always sufficed when she was a solitary dweller, never invoking a sense of claustrophobia. But now, with Emanuele perched like a raven on her bed, the room seemed unbearably confined. Clad in a black leather jacket and fingers studded with luxury brand rings, he exuded an innate dominance that seemed to suck the air out of the room.

Emanuele was indeed a towering figure, his legs stretching out extraordinarily. Her just-right bed shrunk beneath him, appearing like a mere chair. At Isabella's scream, Emanuele's brows furrowed in a mix of amusement and annoyance.

"So, you're nesting in a storage room?" Emanuele's words were as sharp as his persona. He scanned the room, the bed that resembled an office chair, the scattered belongings; everything seemed to belong in a squalid corner of the city. He couldn't fathom how she endured such a place-was she a feral cat rummaging through trash heaps?

"Mr. Lombardi, you should have sought my consent before violating my sanctuary," Isabella retorted, her voice taut with restrained irritation.

Isabella was testing Emanuele's patience. After all, no one had ever dared to question why a mafia boss would barge into their home, let alone deny him a cup of cheap, bitter coffee.

But witnessing Isabella's indignant demeanor, a strange sense of satisfaction stirred within Emanuele. "I didn't break in; I used a key," he responded, his tone laced with casual nonchalance.

She shivered at the realization that he could have access to her apartment keys. Indeed, she had underestimated Emanuele's capabilities; probably, there wasn't a single door in Chicago he couldn't unlock with a flick of his wrist. He was the puppet master of the city!

Isabella was further irked that Emanuele's scent of leather, tobacco, and even a hint of spirits were invading her sanctuary's air.

Today, Isabella donned a plain white shirt, not as refined as the previous night, yet it seemed to stir Emanuele's predatory instincts. He lazily licked his molars and commanded in his usual authoritative tone, "Come here."

Isabella remained rooted to her spot.

"I don't wish to repeat myself," Emanuele's voice held a threatening edge.

Reluctantly, Isabella drew closer, complaining, "What do you want in my tiny apartment? You must be uncomfortable here."

Emanuele's presence made her feel unsafe-not just in her apartment, but as if the entirety of Chicago was no longer a safe haven.

Without responding, Emanuele kept his gaze on Isabella and began to remove his jacket, "White suits you," he remarked, implying it was a color meant to be crumpled and tarnished.

Isabella retreated a step, alarmed. "What are you going to do?"

Emanuele glanced at her, and she found herself frozen in place. She felt cursed by a demon.

Peeling off his jacket to reveal a snug vest underneath, his muscular chest and arms were exposed. Despite his detestable character, he radiated an irresistible masculinity.

He tossed his jacket aside and advanced towards Isabella. In the confined space, he seemed even more imposing. She found herself quickly cornered, much like that ominous night.

Unable to camouflage her fear, Isabella swallowed hard, shut her eyes, and steeled herself for the worst.

Emanuele whispered into her ear, his tongue playfully teasing the edge of it, making her gasp and nearly collapse. Isabella pleaded, "Please, no..."

He chuckled. "You're not good enough to be a lover or a doctor."

Isabella's eyes snapped open in surprise. "What?!"

Emanuele revealed his bandaged arm. "It's time to change the dressing."

She noticed the bandage she had applied days before. The wound must have mostly healed.

Blushing at her own misconceptions, Isabella, conscious of her role as a medical student, reluctantly approached to assist him with the bandage, eliciting a grunt from Emanuele. She felt a perverse satisfaction-why shouldn't his hand be broken?

She questioned him about his recent activities that could potentially impede the healing process.