Chapter 92
When Vitale walked over, the air around seemed to freeze for a moment.
His arm naturally wrapped around Isabella's waist, a gesture both intimate and possessive.
Ali's expression was well-controlled, almost perfect.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Luca."
Vitale raised his glass slightly, giving it a small shake as a response.
"Professor Paul, how's your injury?"
"It's fine, thanks for asking. I just wanted to have a word with Isabella about some contract details and a few personal explanations."
All eyes turned to Isabella.
Vitale lowered his head and asked, "Do you want to be alone with him, Isabella?"
His arm tightened slightly, his palm pressing gently against her waist.
Isabella shook her head. "The contract can be discussed anywhere. As for personal matters..."
"I've already said, some scars take time to heal. Now isn't the right time."
Ali's smile froze for a split second, but just then, Blake's voice rang out from the center of the courtyard.
"Friends, to celebrate our upcoming partnership, I've arranged a soccer match."
"The game starts in ten minutes. I've got seats and drinks ready for everyone."
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
The tense atmosphere from moments ago was replaced by a festive, relaxed vibe.
Ignoring Vitale's warning glare, Ali spoke up.
"Isabella, listen, I'd like to sit with you."
"We can chat while watching the game. Just talk. I want to show you the new contract and formally apologize."
Vitale's lips curled into a smile, but there was no warmth in it.
"Looks like the lesson I gave you wasn't enough. Want to experience another friendly match at the boxing club?"
Isabella looked at Ali, her voice calm.
"Professor Paul, for the sake of your safety and to maintain at least a basic working relationship between us, I think it's better if I sit with Vitale."
Ali's expression stiffened, but he quickly smiled and said, "Of course, Isabella. The contract can't wait too long, though. Blake's patience is limited, and so is mine."
With that, he turned and walked away.
Vitale leaned down, his lips close to Isabella's ear. "My private box is at the end of the hallway, Isabella. If you're tired, I can take you there to rest."
"But if Ali bothers you again, even if he comes within ten feet of you, I'll beat him black and blue."
Isabella rolled her eyes. "Come on, this is Blake's party. If you start a fight, it'll ruin the partnership."
"I don't care," Vitale's voice suddenly turned ice-cold. "Partnerships can be replaced, but there's only one of you."
His words hit Isabella like a warm wave and a sharp icicle at the same time, piercing her heart.
She turned to look at Vitale, seeing the unhidden seriousness in his blue eyes.
He meant it.
Just then, Ali appeared again.
He was holding a folder—the new contract.
"Isabella, sorry to interrupt," Ali said, trying to sound casual. "I know the game is on, but I really hope you can take a look at this contract. Some of the terms might interest you."
Isabella felt Vitale's hand tighten around hers, his knuckles whitening from the pressure.
She took a deep breath and looked up at Ali.
"Can I look at the contract later? Right now, Vitale is taking me to the private box to rest."
Ali's smile became forced. "Of course, I'll wait for your response."
He glanced at Vitale, then wisely turned and left.
Vitale immediately stood up, leading Isabella through the crowd to the private box.
It was a small lounge with a sofa, a bar, and a window overlooking the vineyard.
Once the door closed, the outside world was shut out.
Vitale turned around, pressing Isabella against the door as he kissed her.
Isabella's gasp was swallowed, and her initial struggle turned into a response within seconds.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, fingers threading through his thick red hair, her body pressing against his.
Isabella knew she should push Vitale away.
This was Blake's estate, with hundreds of guests outside. Someone could walk by at any moment.
Besides, they had just escaped the tension Ali created. Reason should take over.
But her body betrayed her.
Vitale's hand slid from her hair to her back, then to her waist, finally lifting the hem of her cotton dress.
"Vitale," she gasped between kisses, "the door's not locked."
"No one will come in," Vitale murmured, his lips moving to her neck, leaving warm, wet marks. "This box is a special arrangement from Blake for me. He knows the rules."
His hand continued exploring upward, the fabric pushed to her waist.
Isabella felt a cool breeze, followed by the heat of Vitale's palm on her skin.
"Turn around," he ordered, his voice rough with desire.
Isabella's mind screamed to refuse, but her body had already obeyed.
She turned, hands bracing against the door, her face pressed to the cool surface.
Then Isabella thought of Judy.
In the garden, under the moonlight, blindfolded and tied, leaning against that ancient olive tree, taken by the bodyguard from behind.
That image had once made her blush and her heart race, imagining herself with Vitale in such a scene at night.
And now, on this bright afternoon, behind a thin door, that fantasy was about to come true.
Vitale seemed to read her mind.
He chuckled softly, his lips brushing her ear. "What are you thinking about, baby? Remembering that scene you accidentally saw?"
Isabella's face burned, but she couldn't deny it.
Her body trembled with anticipation and tensed with shame.
Vitale's hand slid from her hips to the front, his fingertips finding her wet pussy.
Isabella gasped, her body arching.
"Don't worry," Vitale whispered, his fingers starting to move slowly. "I won't blindfold you or tie your hands. I want you to look at me, feel me, and remember who's claiming you."
When he thrust his cock inside her, Isabella bit her lip to keep from screaming.
Vitale gripped her waist from behind and started moving, each thrust pressing her against the door, making it creak faintly.
Isabella's rationality was completely shattered.
She forgot where she was, forgot about the game and the guests outside, forgot about Ali and the contract, and even forgot those awful memories.
Her world was reduced to Vitale.
His breath, his sweat, each deep thrust of his cock into her pussy, and the crude but thrilling words he occasionally whispered in her ear.
This time, there was no gentle foreplay, no lingering rhythm—just raw instinct and pent-up desire.
Isabella had never experienced such direct, intense intimacy, but she had also never felt so free.
Shedding all pretense, all worries, just being a woman claimed by Vitale.
When the climax hit, her voice mingled with Vitale's low growl, echoing in the small private box.
Her pussy clenched around his cock as she came, and moments later, he followed, filling her with his cum.
Two hours later, they finally left the room.
Isabella's walk was a bit off when she stepped out.
Vitale, on the other hand, looked the opposite.
He seemed refreshed, his red hair a little messy but adding to his wild charm.
In the hallway, they ran into Marina, who smirked with a mocking sneer.
"Are you two really not going to hold back? I passed by the door earlier and could hear your shameless moans, Isabella. They were so loud, even at the end of the hallway."
Isabella's face turned bright red. "Shut up, Marina. This is none of your business."
"Of course it's my business," Marina's smile deepened. "I'm worried about your throat. Sounds like it got quite a workout."
Vitale chuckled softly, pulling Isabella closer. "Her throat's just fine, don't worry. And I think that sound was beautiful, don't you, Marina?"
Marina rolled her eyes but said nothing more before turning to leave.
Isabella buried her face in Vitale's chest, groaning, "Oh God, I can't face anyone ever again."
Vitale laughed and kissed the top of her head. "Everyone knows you're mine. What they hear or think doesn't matter. What matters is that you know who you belong to."
When they returned to the soccer field, the game had already ended.
The crowd was cheering and celebrating, with waiters weaving through with more drinks and food.
Isabella tried to blend back into the atmosphere, but she could feel the stares.
Some were curious, some envious, others openly jealous.
She and Vitale had been in the private box for two hours, and she came out with flushed cheeks and an unsteady walk. That said it all.
She did her best to ignore the looks, focusing on chatting with a few familiar faces about the game and upcoming plans.
But Ali found another chance.
As Isabella walked alone to the buffet table to grab a drink, Ali approached from the side, his voice low.
"Isabella, we need to talk."
Isabella sighed, not looking at him. "Ali, I said later—"
"It's not about the contract," Ali interrupted, a rare seriousness in his tone. "It's more important. Do you even realize what you've gotten yourself into?"
Isabella stopped, turning to face him. "I know. I know what Vitale's company does."
A flash of surprise crossed Ali's face. "You know? You know what his family is involved in? Arms smuggling, money laundering, loan sharking, and even darker stuff?"
"I know," Isabella repeated, her voice steady. "And I also know that some of that dark stuff protects people like me from worse threats."
Ali's expression grew complicated. "Isabella, you're really bold. Stepping into this family means living in danger every day. Your phone could be tapped, your apartment broken into, you could be kidnapped off the street just to extort Vitale."
"You're his weakness, Isabella. To his enemies, you're the most tempting target."
"I'm not trying to scare you. I don't want to see you dragged into this kind of life."
Isabella closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Ali, I'm not with him."
Ali let out a cold laugh. "Come on, Isabella. The connection between you two—it's not something a boss and employee should have."
"Of course, I think we should catch up and clear the air. I'm doing this for your own good."
Isabella felt a flicker of doubt.
"Fine," she finally said, her voice tired. "Half an hour from now, meet me at the first coffee shop on the left. Just to catch up, Ali. No contract talk, no Vitale, just the past. We'll clear things up, and then we're done."
Ali's amber eyes lit up. "Of course, I promise it's just catching up. No contract talk. I want to explain what happened back then. I still feel guilty, and I want to make it up to you."
Isabella nodded and turned to leave.
When she found Vitale again, he was standing with Henley, speaking in low tones.
Seeing Isabella approach, Henley tactfully stepped away.
Vitale turned to her, raising an eyebrow with a smirk. "Looks like I didn't satisfy you enough earlier. You still went to see him, didn't you? Even after I made it clear I don't want you two alone together, you still agreed to meet him?"
Isabella shook her head, trying to explain. "It's not what you think, Vitale. I just need to close the chapter on the past with him. It's important to me."
Vitale stared at her for a long moment before turning and walking away.