Chapter 96
Isabella called out a name from outside just as she was about to fall asleep.
"Henley, are you still out there?"
"Yes, Ms. Martinez, Mr. Rossi hasn't come back yet."
The voice was steady and reliable, as always.
Isabella felt a bit relieved, closed her eyes, and tried to relax.
A few minutes later, a sense of unease crept back in.
She called out again, "Henley?"
This time, there was no response.
"Henley?" She raised her voice.
Silence.
Isabella opened her eyes, her sleepiness vanishing instantly.
She hesitated for a moment, then gently turned the doorknob and cracked the door open.
The hallway was empty.
Henley was gone.
Isabella frowned.
This didn't make sense.
Henley wouldn't leave his post unless Vitale told him to or there was an emergency.
She closed the door, leaned against it, and felt her heartbeat quicken.
Maybe she was overthinking it.
Isabella opened a drawer and noticed there were no condoms left.
Her cheeks flushed slightly.
They might need some tonight.
If she wanted the same thing, she should take action.
This thought gave Isabella a good reason to leave the room.
She needed to go downstairs to the hotel convenience store and buy a pack of condoms in Vitale's size.
Isabella put on a simple black dress.
Long sleeves, high neck, completely covering the sexy nightwear underneath.
She also grabbed a baseball cap, tucked her blonde hair inside, and put on sunglasses.
She didn't want to be recognized, especially while alone at the hotel store late at night.
Isabella quickly made her purchase, but just as she turned to leave, something outside the glass window caught her eye and made her freeze.
Why was Colt here?
Isabella pulled her cap lower and hurried out of the store. She didn't want to run into Colt.
But as she stepped out the door, a voice called from behind.
"God, Isabella? Is that really you?"
"I didn't expect to see you here. Man, you look even prettier than last time, and your body's hotter too."
"This chest..." Colt whistled. "Did a guy help make it bigger?"
Isabella felt a wave of disgust.
She took a step back, keeping her distance, her voice cold. "Sorry, Colt, I have to go."
She tried to walk past him, but Colt sidestepped, blocking her way.
Three other men closed in, forming a small circle around her.
"Don't rush off," Colt said with a grin, his eyes lingering on her face and chest. "We're having a party just ahead, in the villa area behind the hotel. Looks like you've got condoms with you. We're running low over there. Wanna come join us?"
Isabella shook her head. "Vitale is waiting for me."
She mentioned the name, hoping it would scare him off.
But Colt's reaction surprised her.
He exchanged a look with the other three men, and they burst into laughter.
Isabella frowned. "What's so funny?"
Colt's breath reeked of alcohol. "Isabella, do you really not know what tonight is?"
Isabella didn't say anything, just stared at him.
"Tonight's the Rossi family's big bash!" Colt's voice carried a malicious glee. "Their annual night to let loose. All the family members, all the important partners, they're all at the party over there."
He pointed toward the back of the hotel, where faint music and noise could be heard.
"Of course, Vitale's there too," Colt's smile turned wicked. "You should really go check it out."
Isabella's heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand.
She didn't believe it.
No, Vitale wouldn't do that.
Just earlier, in the vineyard, he had confessed to her, said he loved her, said he thought about her every night. He wouldn't be at that kind of party.
But Colt looked so sure of himself.
And if Vitale was really at an important gathering, why hadn't he told her?
Why did he leave her waiting in the room?
"I don't believe you," Isabella said through gritted teeth, though there was a slight tremble in her voice, she didn't even notice.
Colt shrugged. "Then come with me and see for yourself. You're looking for him anyway, right? I'll take you there, let you see with your own eyes."
It was a trap.
Isabella knew it, but she couldn't help herself.
She needed to know the truth.
If Colt was telling the truth...
Isabella didn't dare to think further.
"Lead the way," Isabella finally said, her voice cold, trying to hide the fear inside.
Colt smirked, a grin that reminded Isabella of a predator watching its prey step into a trap.
---
The party was in a standalone villa behind the hotel, about a five-minute walk from the main building.
Even before getting close, the deafening music was already pounding in the air.
The smell of weed, alcohol, and sweat mixed together hung heavy around them.
Isabella followed Colt toward the villa, her stomach churning.
It wasn't physical nausea, but a deep, instinctive discomfort.
Everything here felt dangerous, dirty.
The villa's front door was wide open, revealing a chaotic scene inside.
The huge living room was packed with people.
Men and women, dressed in revealing clothes or barely dressed at all.
Some were dancing, their movements wild and sensual.
Others leaned against walls, kissing, hands roaming over each other.
Some gathered around tables littered with white powder and liquor bottles.
Isabella's eyes quickly scanned the crowd, spotting a few familiar faces.
Some of Vitale's men, the bodyguards who usually wore suits and stern expressions, were now messing around with women in bikini tops and shorts.
One woman straddled a bodyguard's lap, arms around his neck, kissing him passionately.
In another corner, a man and woman didn't care about the people around them, already starting to undress.
The woman was topless, the man burying his face between her tits while the crowd cheered and clapped.
Isabella struggled to breathe.
She wanted to turn and leave, but Colt stood behind her. "Seen Vitale yet?"
Isabella trembled, forcing herself to stay steady.
Her eyes darted around the room, searching through the chaotic crowd for that familiar red-haired figure.
Then she saw someone else.
Judy.
She wore a tight black dress, hiked up to her thighs, arms around a man's neck, her body swaying to the music with wild, sensual moves.
Her head was tilted back, lips parted, letting out high-pitched moans.
"Oh God... yes... just like that... harder..."
The man held Judy's waist with both hands, matching her movements with upward thrusts.
Their bodies pressed together, their actions completely shameless.
Judy noticed Isabella.
For a split second, their eyes met.
Judy's gaze was hazy with desire. She reached out, beckoning Isabella with a finger.
"Come join us, Isabella!"
"It's so much fun! Don't be shy!"
Isabella shook her head sharply, stepping back and bumping into Colt's chest.
"She's inviting you," Colt whispered in her ear, his hand tightening on her waist. "Why not give it a try? Looks pretty hot, doesn't it?"
"No," Isabella said through clenched teeth, pulling away from his grip. "I need to find Vitale."
She turned to leave the living room and search elsewhere in the villa, but Colt grabbed her wrist.
"He's in there," Colt said, nodding toward a door deeper in the living room. "The bedroom area. More private, more exciting."
Isabella stared at the door, her heart pounding.
She knew she shouldn't trust Colt, shouldn't follow him inside.
But she had come this far.
She had seen this party, seen Judy, seen how Vitale's men were acting.
She needed to know if Vitale was part of it.
She needed to see for herself.
As they passed the sofa area, Isabella spotted another familiar face.
Ali.
He was sitting on a wide couch, flanked by two nearly naked women.
One woman knelt between his legs, her head bobbing up and down as she sucked his cock.
The other straddled his lap, holding his face as they kissed passionately.
Ali's hands roamed over both of them, his expression lost in pleasure, lips wet from kissing.
He noticed Isabella walking by, his movements pausing for a moment as their eyes met.
A flicker of surprise crossed his amber eyes, followed by an emotion Isabella couldn't read. It wasn't guilt or embarrassment, more like a cold, animal-like indifference.
Ali gave her a slight nod, then went back to indulging in the two women's attention.
The sounds they made.
Wet kisses, moans, the slap of skin against skin.
They blended together, filling Isabella with a strong wave of disgust.
This wasn't desire; it was depravity.
Pure, animalistic release.
Isabella quickened her pace, keeping up with Colt.
They finally reached the door.
A heavy wooden door, clearly soundproof, because the music and noise from outside were much quieter here.