Chapter 5 A Blood-sealed Deal

• Izzy’s POV
• My body hurt in ways I didn't want to think about when I woke up, tangled in warm sheets. Slowly, my eyelids opened as the gentle morning light poured in through Luca's private suite's tall windows. There was silence in the room. Just the sound of my own—and his—breath, no guards, no noise.
• With his eyes closed but not quite sleeping, Luca lay next to me with one arm slackly folded across his chest. The icy man I had met a few days prior had changed. Something had changed about him. Softer. Human.
• I moved a little. His eyes snapped open, attentive.
• His voice was low and deep as he continued, "You're still here."
• "I considered leaving," I said. "But I didn't."
• He looked over at me. "Why not?"
• I honestly replied, "I'm not sure." "Perhaps because I don't feel like a prisoner for once."
• Slowly, he nodded. "All right. Considering that I do not want you to be
• After a brief period of silence, I questioned, "Why do you hate Marco?"
• The name made his jaw clench. "Because he killed a loved one of mine."
• I sat up a bit and observed him. "Who?"
• He said quietly, "My sister." She was seventeen years old. She was accused of stealing by Marco. She didn't. He had her dumped like rubbish into the river.
• I took a deep breath. "I apologise."
• He turned his head away. "Vincenzo assisted in its concealment. It's the true reason I'm collaborating with him. Not allegiance. Retaliation.
• I looked at him. "So, this partnership with my dad... It's not real?
• "Transient," he stated. "I need him to assist me in eliminating Marco." Everything changes after it is finished.
• I was at a loss for words. I wanted to believe in him. Something in me begged me not to.
• He gave me another look. "How about you? Izzy, what do you want?
• After a moment, I said, "Freedom," as well as justice.
• He put his hand out and stroked my face tenderly. "Then perhaps we have similar goals after all."
• I sat in my new room later that day; it was bigger than the previous one, and I had new clothes and food that didn't taste like cardboard. I was still considering what Luca had told me and determining whether to believe him.
• A knock on the door was heard. After giving me a small, folded piece of paper, a man in a black suit walked away silently.
• I opened it up.
• As I read, my hands started to shake.
• She isn't you. She claims she is not real while sobbing uncontrollably. They will soon find out. I'm observing her. Be prepared. —S
• Seline.
• She managed to send a message somehow.
• She was aware of the clone.
• She was also shattering the clone.
• Everything would collapse if anyone else learned. My new role, my phoney identity, and my father's scheme would all fall apart. And the only one left standing in the flames would be me.
• With my heart racing, I stuffed the paper into my pocket and stood for a while. My clone lacked my strength. This wasn't what she was made for. It was only a matter of time until someone asked the proper questions because she was breaking.
• I was summoned to Luca's office that evening. At first, he remained silent. He simply gave me his phone and pressed play on a video.
• My blood froze.
• The screen displayed Marco's face, grinning like a demon wearing a suit. He had malice in his eyes.
• He said, "Well, well, well." "Look at this grown-up who is dressing up in Daddy's empire."
• He inclined toward the camera.
• "Izzy, I am aware of your beloved father's actions. I am aware that you have a small double. And I am aware that you believe you are now safe.
• He chuckled. A harsh, low sound.
• However, you're not. You weren't. I own you. And I'm returning to retrieve my property.
• The screen turned dark.
• I was immobile. Unable to breathe.
• Luca sprang up and grabbed the phone out of my grasp. "He forwarded this to all of the city's prominent families."
• I gave him a look. "He is aware. What is his level of knowledge?
• "Enough to ignite a conflict."
• With weak legs, I grasped the table's edge. "He must be stopped."
• Luca gave a nod. "We'll. But going forward, you won't leave me behind.
• His voice had changed, becoming piercing and protective. I no longer felt like a pawn in his game. I was playing the game now.
• And perhaps, just possibly, I had evolved into something more.
• My father hosted an extravagant Mafia banquet at one of his private clubs the following evening. Powerful men and women, crooks in fancy suits, grinning like wolves, crowded the room.
• I was dressed elegantly in a long black satin dress with a slit up the side and tiny straps. In it, I didn't feel like myself. I felt deceitful.
• Perhaps, though, that was the purpose.
• Luca, who was wearing black, was standing next to me, his arm resting lightly on my lower back. We appeared to be a couple to outsiders. Like a unified front. But I was trembling inside.
• The music was not loud. Clinking glasses. Individuals said.
• My father then lifted his glass and entered the tiny stage.
• "We celebrate the rebirth of our bloodline tonight," he remarked. Isabella Marino, my daughter, returns as my heir rather than a victim.
• There was a round of applause. Grins. Toasts.
• It's all phoney.
• He motioned for me to come along.
• I took a hesitant stride onto the stage. I was blinded by the lights. The cameras flashed. I tried to grin.
• "Thank you," I said in a composed tone. "I will not allow the Marino name to be overlooked. I will ensure that it is dreaded.
• The audience applauded.
• Then—
• Darkness.
• The lights go off. The music ceased. Not a word.
• Then there was one shot.
• The room was filled with screams. Individuals fled. The glass broke.
• The lights were switched back on by someone.
• I went cold.
• My dad was lying on the ground.
• He was gushing blood from his chest.
• I was immediately protected by Luca, who moved in front of me.
• A man was running through the back exit as I looked up.
• Marco.
• Disappeared before he could be stopped.