In His Grasp: A Mafia Romance

Chapter 27: No Reporting Allowed

Chapter 27: No Reporting Allowed

"Isabella, how have you been lately?" On the phone, Sophia's mood seemed quite cheerful, and hervoice carried a hint of amusement.

"I've been good," Isabella replied, not daring to mention that she might be under surveillance.

"We're coming back to Chicago tomorrow. Why don't you come over for dinner with us?" Sophiasuggested.

Dinner with her mother? Isabella's heart tightened. She would have to go back to that place thatfilled her with fear. The first time she went, Emanuele had threatened her with death. The secondtime, he had forced her into a kiss. It was terrible.

"I might have to work late tomorrow," Isabella attempted to decline. "How about another day? Wecan meet up somewhere else."

"Isabella, we haven't seen each other in so long. I really miss you, and your stepfather does too.Can't you come to see us?" Sophia's tone had a touch of pleading.

Her mother was the most important person in the world to her. Isabella bit her lip, unable to refuseher mother's request, no matter how much she wanted to.

But the thought of seeing Emanuele again made her feel that suffocating dread once more. Henever gave up. He wanted her to get married, and now he had given her a deadline to get marriedwhen she graduated from college in a month. Oh, it was terrifying. Perhaps she should tell hermother. Sophia would surely stop it.

...

"Isabella, it's been a while. You look so much prettier now. That's how young girls should dress up!"Sophia embraced Isabella warmly and kissed her cheek.

Isabella had chosen this outfit from the clothes Emanuele had prepared for her, a simple whitedress. It was a straightforward style, but it made her look youthful and exceptionally attractive.

Sophia believed it looked much better on her than the dark-colored clothes she used to wear, whichmade her appear much older.

But now, this outfit was just right.

Grazia also approached and hugged Isabella.

"Isabella, our family is hosting a banquet tomorrow. You should come over," she warmly invitedIsabella, who wanted to decline.

Although Grazia was a nice person, she was the Mafia Princess, and Isabella didn't want toassociate with anyone involved with the Mafia.

"I've been quite busy lately, so I probably won't have the time..." Isabella smiled as she declined.

"Don't say no," Grazia insisted. "You said the same thing last time. You can't keep declining everytime, can you? It'll make Dad angry."

Isabella glanced at Leo when she heard this. Although he didn't say anything, his eyes carried awarning.

Isabella sighed, "Okay, I'll come."

She felt powerless, slowly stepping into the life of the Mafia family, becoming one of them. It was aterrible feeling.

At that moment, Emanuele walked in. He still had that menacing aura, his presence commandingattention from everyone in the room.

He started by hugging Sophia and Grazia. When it came to Isabella, he also hugged her gently,handling her with care, not the rough dominance he usually exhibited.

"This man really knows how to put on a show!" Isabella thought to herself.

"Isabella, how's your studies going? Is it tough working at the hospital?" Emanuele asked her, andthey seemed formal, not at all familiar.

"It's been fine, just a bit challenging working at the hospital," Isabella replied. However, she couldn'thelp feeling a sense of disdain. Isabella didn't believe for a second that Emanuele was unaware ofher situation. He could enter her apartment at will, so there was likely nothing he didn't know about.

Did he really need to put on this act in front of family? Emanuele was the true Oscar-winning actor.

After exchanging greetings, they headed to the dining room. Faced with a sumptuous feast, Isabelladidn't have much of an appetite.

But when Emanuele noticed that she wasn't eating much, he whispered, "Do I need to feed you?"

His tone carried a warning.

Isabella immediately shook her head and made an effort to eat.

Emanuele smiled, and she knew he still scared her. Despite her fear, she didn't completely submitto him. Emanuele felt that she wasn't quite there yet. He wanted to shatter her pride and make herbow down completely.

With that thought, Emanuele reached out and touched Isabella's nape. Isabella's body instantlystiffened. What did Emanuele intend to do? His fingertips were rough, calloused from years ofhandling guns. When they touched her skin, she felt goosebumps and shivers. She believedEmanuele could easily snap her neck.

But soon, Emanuele released her.

Thankfully, he didn't go through with it.

After dinner, Isabella excused herself to leave. Her interaction with Emanuele tonight had beenminimal, and she felt a bit relieved. But her relief was short-lived. She might be staying inEmanuele's luxurious apartment, but it didn't feel like her own. She had no sense of ownership.

Still, it was better than being around the Lombardi family members. Isabella felt more at ease whenshe was alone.

"I'll escort Isabella home," Emanuele suddenly spoke when Isabella thought she could finally catchher breath.

Isabella turned to look at him, panic in her eyes.novelbin

He didn't say it to her; he said it to Sophia and Leo.

"Ah, that would be too much trouble for you, Emanuele," Sophia said, somewhat surprised. Herstepson was now the head of the family, and his work was demanding. She had heard he wasdealing with some tricky issues recently.

That he was willing to escort Isabella home indicated that he truly accepted her and the idea of herbecoming part of their family. Sophia was deeply touched.

However, Isabella felt nothing but fear.

"I don't need it; my bodyguards will take me home," Isabella said, trying to decline Emanuele's offer.

But Emanuele seemed to ignore Isabella's refusal and instead grabbed her arm. "Let's go."

Isabella looked at Sophia, who appeared delighted, and Grazia and Leo, who wore smiles on theirfaces. None of them knew about Isabella's current situation, unaware of how awful Emanueletreated her in private. Isabella wanted to speak the truth, especially to her mother. She thought thatif her mother knew, she would stop any further contact between Isabella and Emanuele.

But at that moment, Emanuele leaned in close to Isabella's ear and whispered softly, "If you dare toreport anything, I guarantee you won't see the sun tomorrow."

Isabella froze, the color draining from her face. She looked into Emanuele's eyes, filled with terror.Something seemed to block her throat, making it difficult to breathe. It was a suffocating feeling.

"If you snitch, I'll have someone gang-rape you and then feed you to the wild dogs, you bitch!"

"If you dare to tattle on me to your mommy, I'll make sure you don't see tomorrow's sun, youmotherfucker."

Chloe's voice echoed in her mind.