Chapter 2: "Dangerous Liaison"

Isabella couldn't get the mysterious man out of her mind. She replayed their encounter over and over, trying to piece together who he was and why he had saved her. Her instincts told her he was deeply entrenched in the world she was investigating. She needed to find him again—not just for the story, but to understand the strange pull she felt towards him.

Back at her office, Isabella sifted through her photos. Each image was a puzzle piece, but the most intriguing one was of her savior. His dark eyes, sharp features, and the air of authority he carried were unmistakable. She printed a copy, determined to find out more about him.

Later that evening, Isabella decided to visit the local bar frequented by both journalists and those involved in the city's underworld. It was a place where information was traded as easily as drinks. As she entered, the noise and smoke enveloped her, but she kept her focus.

Sofia, her best friend and confidante, was already at the bar, sipping a cocktail. She waved Isabella over. "You look like you've seen a ghost. What happened?"

Isabella slid onto the stool next to her. "I think I might have gotten too close to something big. I need your help."

She showed Sofia the photo. Sofia's eyes widened. "That's Alessandro De Luca."

"Who?"

"He's the younger son of the De Luca crime family. They practically run this city."

Isabella's heart skipped a beat. Alessandro De Luca. The name sounded as dangerous as the man himself. "Do you know anything else about him?"

Sofia leaned in, her voice low. "He's known for being charming but ruthless. And very possessive. Rumor has it he's not as deeply involved in the family's dirty work as his brother Marco, but he's still dangerous."

Isabella's mind raced. She had to be careful, but she also felt an undeniable pull to learn more. "I need to talk to him."

Sofia raised an eyebrow. "Are you crazy? Getting involved with the De Lucas is like playing with fire."

"Maybe," Isabella replied, her resolve strengthening. "But I need to know why he saved me."

The next day, Isabella found herself in the bustling marketplace. She had learned from Sofia that Alessandro often visited a particular café there. As she sipped her coffee, she scanned the crowd, her heart pounding with anticipation.

Just when she was about to give up, she saw him. Alessandro moved through the crowd with a confident grace, people parting before him as if he were royalty. Isabella took a deep breath and stood, her legs feeling like jelly.

She approached him, her heart in her throat. "Alessandro De Luca?"

He turned, his eyes locking onto hers with a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Isabella Romano. The journalist."

She nodded, her voice steady despite her racing heart. "I need to talk to you."

He studied her for a moment, then gestured to an empty table. "Very well. Let's talk."

They sat, and Isabella felt the weight of his gaze. "Why did you save me?"

Alessandro's expression softened slightly. "You were in over your head. I didn't want to see you get hurt."

"Why? You don't even know me."

He leaned closer, his voice low. "Maybe I wanted to know you."

Isabella's breath caught. The intensity in his eyes was overwhelming, but she couldn't afford to be distracted. "I'm investigating the mafia's influence in Verona. I need answers."

Alessandro's face darkened. "You're playing a dangerous game, Isabella. My family doesn't take kindly to outsiders poking around."

"I'm aware of the risks," she replied, her determination unwavering. "But I have to do this."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're stubborn. I can respect that. But be careful. There are people who wouldn't hesitate to harm you to protect their secrets."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden arrival of Marco De Luca, Alessandro's older brother. Marco's eyes narrowed as he saw Isabella. "What is she doing here?"

Alessandro stood, his posture protective. "We were just talking."

Marco sneered. "Talking to a journalist? You're getting sloppy, Alessandro."

Alessandro's jaw tightened. "Leave her alone, Marco."

Marco's gaze shifted to Isabella, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "You should heed my brother's warning, Miss Romano. Stay away from our business, or you might not be so lucky next time."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving a tense silence in his wake. Isabella looked at Alessandro, seeing the conflict in his eyes. "Thank you for the warning," she said softly.

He nodded, his expression unreadable. "Just... be careful, Isabella. For your own sake."

As she walked away, Isabella felt a mixture of fear and excitement. She knew she was diving deeper into a world of danger, but she couldn't turn back now. Not when the enigmatic Alessandro De Luca was at the center of it all.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***