Chapter 55
Vitale's kiss slid from Isabella's lips to her neck, carrying a clear sense of possession.
Just as his hand slipped into her collar, a loud noise broke the intimate atmosphere.
Both of them froze for a moment, then looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.
"Looks like my little gambler is hungry," Vitale chuckled as he pulled back, his fingers lingering on Isabella's cheek with affection, "Let's fill your stomach first, then we'll talk about other things."
The restaurant they chose was a hidden Eldoria eatery near the castle.
As they sat down, Isabella's phone buzzed.
Laura had sent a winking emoji with a note: [Enjoy your victory, darling.]
It seemed the news of Judy leaving early had already spread.
"Are you feeling tired today?" Vitale asked, pouring red wine into her glass.
"Tired like I've been suddenly thrown into your world," Isabella replied, cutting into the steak on her plate, the knife and fork clinking sharply, "But Vitale, you shouldn't have told your cousin Victor about my business. He sent Simon to mess with me, and it's really annoying."
Vitale set down his wine glass, his expression turning serious, "I'm sorry, but I need to clear this up. I've hidden more about you than you might think."
"How could I let another man peek at my treasure?" He gave a bitter smile, "It's just that Victor is worried you might hurt me."
"Me?" Isabella almost laughed out loud, "With this weak body of mine?"
"You could hurt me emotionally," Vitale's voice dropped low, "And that's the most dangerous kind of pain. So Victor's concern isn't baseless, is it?"
Isabella went quiet for a moment, "Was Simon really your assistant before?"
"Yes, I trained him myself for three years," Vitale said, taking a sip of his wine, "He looks tough, but he has his limits. It's just…"
"Just what?"
"Just that I didn't expect him to touch you."
Isabella instinctively wiped the back of her hand with a napkin.
The spot where Simon had kissed her.
Even though she'd washed it many times, the uncomfortable feeling still lingered.
"What did he do?" Vitale's tone changed.
"Nothing, just…"
"Isabella."
Isabella sighed, "He kissed the back of my hand, that's all."
The wine glass in Vitale's hand shattered, the deep red liquid spreading like blood across the white tablecloth.
The other diners glanced over, but under his sharp glare, they quickly looked away.
"Vitale!" Isabella grabbed his hand, checking for cuts from the broken glass.
"I care," his voice was heavy with suppressed anger, "Even if Simon just touched a strand of your hair, he touched you. I'll handle this."
"Don't," Isabella stood up and leaned across the table to hug him, "I've already wiped it clean. It's really fine."
Vitale hugged her back, his arms tightening around her, "Come to the castle tonight, okay?"
Isabella's body trembled slightly.
Not out of fear, but desire.
"Okay."
The bedroom in the castle looked the same as always, moonlight streaming through the stained glass onto the bed.
As soon as the door closed, Vitale pressed Isabella against it and kissed her.
This kiss wasn't like the gentle ones before; it was intense, like he was claiming her.
His lips moved from hers to her neck, leaving deep marks as if to erase any trace Simon might have left.
"You're mine," Vitale whispered in her ear, his fingers deftly undoing the zipper at her back.
Isabella's silk gown slipped to the floor, pooling like a deep blue waterfall.
Vitale's kisses trailed down her spine, all the way to her feet.
He knelt on one knee, like a pilgrim worshipping his goddess.
When he carried Isabella to the bed, their clothes were already scattered across the floor.
Vitale leaned over her, his fingers gently exploring between her thighs.
"Tell me," his fingertips moved slowly inside her, "did it bother you today, seeing me with Judy?"
Isabella wanted to deny it, but Vitale knew her body too well.
Whenever she tried to lie, that spot would tighten without her control.
So Vitale added another finger, exploring slowly but firmly.
"I…" She tried to find the words, but the pleasure was already clouding her thoughts.
"Tell the truth, darling." Vitale urged, adding a third finger, the movement making Isabella gasp.
"Yes… It was awful…" she finally admitted, her voice breaking, "I could feel you looking at me… but I couldn't get in… I didn't want you with that woman… she has the same blonde hair as me… I was afraid you…"
Afraid you'd be drawn to her.
Isabella couldn't finish the sentence because Vitale suddenly deepened his movements, leaving her only able to moan in broken gasps.
"I like seeing you jealous," Vitale said, leaning down to lightly bite her nipple, "You know, it drives me crazy."
Isabella wrapped her arms around his head, guiding his lips and tongue across her chest.
"Damn it… Vitale… I don't even feel like myself anymore… you, this mafia boss… You almost stole my heart…"
Vitale's movements stopped abruptly.
He propped himself up, gazing into her eyes under the moonlight, "Just almost?"
Isabella couldn't answer.
Not because she didn't want to, but because she couldn't.
Her body was already on the edge of breaking down.
Vitale understood.
He gently turned Isabella over so her back was to him.
His kisses landed on her spine, his tongue tracing down until it reached her most private spot.
"Relax," Vitale murmured, his fingers making final preparations inside her.
When he finally entered her, they both let out a sigh of satisfaction.
Vitale didn't move right away; instead, he held her tightly, letting her fully adjust to him.
"My body craves you so much," he whispered in her ear, starting to move slowly, "Can you feel it?"
"I can," Isabella's voice trembled with emotion, "Vitale, I might want more."
Those words hit Vitale like a jolt of electricity.
He paused for a second, then began to thrust with everything he had, each movement as if he wanted to merge completely with her.
That night, every corner of the castle witnessed their passion.
From the Persian rug in the first-floor hall to the oak floor of the second-floor gallery, and back to the bedroom bed that held their earliest memories.
They didn't even stop to shower, moving from one room to another, still intertwined.
Sweat, moans, tears.
Everything blended together, impossible to tell whose was whose.
In the darkest hour before dawn, Vitale carried an exhausted Isabella into the bathroom.
Warm water washed over their bodies, rinsing away the last bit of pretense.
"I think I'm done for," Isabella said, leaning against his chest, her voice hoarse, "I've already given you my heart."
Vitale didn't say anything, just held her tightly, as if he wanted to meld her into his very being.
In that moment, two proud souls finally let down all their defenses.
In the castle of a mafia boss, in a world full of power and danger, they found the truest versions of each other.
Just two ordinary people, afraid of getting hurt, yet unable to resist love.