Chapter 20: Inner Demons
habellesat cross–rod on her bed, staring at her phone. A persistent pane of gilt gged at her as she semed through unread messages from Don Antonio. The screen glowed In the discom,casting faint shadows across her face as she read each line he’d sent since they’d arranged to meet.
Isabelle, are you alright? thought we’d meet yesterday–hope nothing’s wrong”
“Did something happen? We can talk.”
“Just reach out when you’ve ready. I’m here.”
Her than hovered over the screen, her urge to respondclashing with Maited’stractions to keep a datance from Don. Part of her wanted to explain, to reassure him sochow, but then Matteo’s webs from last night echoed in her mind
She sighed and set her phone aside, conflicted. Don Antonio had been a constant–kind, protectie, tenoring his messages without a word telt wrong, yet so did going against Matteo’s wishes. And after everything Matteo had shared, she was starting to feel the pull of his world, the depth of what he was keeping carded. Despite her uncertainty, she didn’t want to be the one to break his trust. So, with a heavy bear, she left Do’s messages need.
Asoft knock interrupted her thoughts, Isabelle didn’t look up, assuming li was Sienna. “Sienna, I just want to be alone for abit,” she said quietly, feeling the weight of the morning over her.
The door creaked open anyway, and footsteps moved lightly across the room. “Isabelle?“
Her head snapped up in surprise. Mamen stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets, hits usual confident expression softened by concern. She sat up straightes, suddenly aware of the mess the mums have booked into.
“Matteo,” she muured, caught off guard by his presence.
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him wanted to check on you. After last night… thought maybe you’d have some questions.“”
She hacked her knees to her chest, looking down for a moment. “It’s – » lot to take in, Malten Everything you did. It just keeps playing in my mind.”
Matteo nodded, moving closet and testing against her desk. “know. And Irish Tould give you all the answers you’re looking doc. But there are things… things I can’t explain. Not yet” He paused, choosing his words carehilly. “Some things in my world are too dangerous to just share
“Dangerous?” the repeated, her curiosity and apprehension mixing together. His tone carried a weight that made her puke quicken.
“That’s why I need you to trust me, “he said softly, his gaze holding hers. “To follow the boundaries The set. I’m only doing this because I want to keep you safe. You have to promise me, habele.”
She hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. “Mais, maybe if you told me what was going on, we eculd she it together. Sometimes the truth is easter than “She traded off, glancing at him with a mix of vulnerability and hope
But he shook his head, his expression resolute. “Some things can’t be handed that way. The truth, when exposed in the wrong way, can cause ham beyond what you imagine.” His voice faltered alightly, but then he continued, his eyes shadowed. “My parents tried to change things once, tried to do what was right. And it cost them everything ”
Her heart sted, and she murmured, “I’m so sorry, Mattes.”
He looked away, the finest hint of pain in his eyes. “It was a long time ago Then, with renewed focus, he looked back at her. “But I don’t want to repeat their mistakes. This is why I need you to understand the risks involved. And why ds1 need you to stay close to what I say
Isabelle nodded, feeling his words settle bewly on her. “nderstand. I’IL. I’ll follow your lead, Mateo.”
Relist softened his face, and he pee her a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, kabelle.” He glanced down at his watch. “I need to ga, but. I’I see you later, alzieht?”
She nodded agen, watching him leave with a strange mis of admiration and unease. Once he was gone, Isabelle sat back against her pillows, her thoughts swirling in a thousand directions. Whatever world Matteo was a part of, she realized, was far more complex and dangerous than she’d imagined.
After some time, Isabelle decided to distract herself by scrolling through her phone again, though she avoided Don’s messages. Her finger swiped through various apps absentmindedly until another knock came, mone knabbed this time.
“Come in,” she called, and Simu appeared in the doorway with a breakfast tray in hand. Her face was as calm and composed as always
“Good morning, Miss Isabelle. I brought you some breakfast.”
“Thanks, Siena,” Isabelle replied with a polite smile. “Actually. Could you stay for a moment? 1 think I could use the company”
Sienna paused, surprised by the request, but she nodded, setting down the tray before taking a seat nearby, Isabelle studied her for a moment, noticing how unbothered she always seemed by the intensity of Man’s world.
“Sienna,” Isabelle began slowly, “do you know where Matteo is?
“He’s in the estate’s gym,”
**Sienna replied promptly, folding her hands in her lap.
Isabelle’s eyebrow arched. “The estate has a gym?
“Yes, private one,” Sienna replied. “Matteo uses it frequently.”
Carbosity sparked in Isabelle, and she stood, deciding to see for herself. She taked Sienna and made her way down the halls, evennully finding the gym the quiet bure of machinery and the sound of tists hiting a punching bag greeted her as she pushed the door open
There he was -Matteo, shirtless, in the micht of a rigorous workout. His lean, macular frane moved with fullprecision as he worked the punching bag, ich strike precise and powerful. His muscles tened and released with every movement, his breathing rough, beads of sweat glistening on his skin tabelle tree, captivated by the sight. She hadn‘ seen this side of him before—he was focused, powerdd, almost bard.
As she stood there, enhanced, Matres cought sight of her. He paused mid–swing, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Enjoying the show?”
Caught off guard, hubelle felt her checks warm as she brushed off her surprise with a laugh.“I didn’t realize you trained like this.”
Matteo shinged, rolling his shoulders. “It helps me clear my head.”
Before she could respond, the door operied again, and a middle–aged mannered, Stocky and solid, be carried himself with the confidence of someone well–wed in combat plate acknowledged him with a nod
Chapter 20 Inner Demans
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“Isabelle, meet Alberto, my trainer,” Matteo introduced casually
She looked at him and smiled at him. “So he is your driver, bodyguard and trainer?” she asked as Alberto simply smiled, taking off his shirt and entering the ring.
“Is there anything you don’t do, Alberto?” she asked playfully. He simply chocked at her joke and turned to face Matteo.
Alberto chuckled, giving Matteo a knowing look. “Ready to step it up today?”
Matteo’s eyes glowmed with a mix of determination and challenge. “Always”
They moved to the sparring ring, and isabelle watched as Alberto pushed Matteo, testing his reflexes. Alberto’s moves were sharp and calculated, and his skill was evident as he kept Matteo on the defensive. But then, sensing Matteo’s restaurant, Alberto taunted, “Fight like it’s your worst enemy, Matteo, Let go of your restraint.”
A shadow flickered across Matteo’s face, and Isabelle noticed his jaw clench. He threw himself into the fight with more i
e force, his punches landing harder, his moves more aggressive Alberto’s encouragement seemed to unlock something raw within him, and tsabelle’s heart pounded as she saw the intensity in his eyes, the suppressed anger sulking
Alberto staggered back slightly, but Matteo didn’t let up, his hits coming faster, more brutal. Isabelle watched, her worry mounting as the tight grew too intense. When she saw the potential for real harm, she finally called out, “Matteo!”
Her voice seemed to snap him out of his trance. He paused, his fists lowering, and looked around as if only now realizing where he was. Breathing heavily, he took a step back, a flash of guilt passing over his face as he gave Alberto a brief nod. Without another word, Matteo exited the ring and stormed out of the gym, leaving Isabelle standing there ber heart racing
Isabelle watched his retreating figure, a mix of concern and intrigue swirling within her. Matteo’s world, his past, the shadows lurking in his gaze–there was so much she didn’t understand. Yet, standing there in the silence of the gym, she felt her own resolve harden.
She would stay by Matteo’s side, even if it meant stepping into the shadows with him.
