Repaying the Mafia’s Dept

ISABELLA My hand lingers on the handle of the door.

I thought so much about getting through this door on my own that it feels strange now that I’m allowed to.

It’s not just that though, or rather being able to go through this door. It’s the first time I’ve been able to go around freely without being watched or under supervision.

I’m an adult and I’ve lived my whole life like a child.

Whenever Sacha allowed me freedom, I was like Cinderella knowing she’d have to go back to her life at the stroke of midnight.

I’m fully aware if there were a way for me to leave the island Tristan wouldn’t have allowed me this small mercy, and the island itself is like one big prison. But being able to walk around is different to being locked away in my room.

On that note I open the door and take my first free steps through it.

I woke up a little while ago and got ready to head out to the beach. I just want to walk along the shore and watch the sea roll in.

I walk the same path I did the other day, heading down the corridor then down the steps. I look at the room I was taken into to see Sacha and cast my gaze past it to the kitchen. Inside are Candace and Tristan’s brother. Both look at me as I stare back. Candace gives me an encouraging smile and I return it.

Turning away I face the opened door ahead of me and walk through it. The sun kisses my skin as I step outside into the bright light.

The weather is beautiful, and the deep blue sea ahead looks like something you’d find on a screensaver.

The picturesque scene beckons me closer, so I walk to the white sand and sit on the beach. That’s where I stay for hours. I just sit and watch the waves roll in and out, thinking of what will happen next.

I have no idea what the plan is now Tristan knows I can’t help him. I’m guessing that means he still needs me. He probably still thinks I’m leverage.

My father wants me to marry Dmitri only to continue the legacy, but I’m certain if he was placed in a position where he had to save me, I’d be a small sacrifice.

The same as my mother. He loved her and then he killed her.

Feeling eyes on me I glance over my shoulder and see Tristan off in the distance gazing at me. I don’t know how long he’s been standing there.

Instead of coming over he turns and walks away. As he does, I get the feeling he doesn’t want to speak to me. Maybe we crossed another line yesterday by sharing too much.

I know I did. I opened up to him and spoke about Eric and my mother more than I have with anyone.

At least after my mother’s death I had therapists. There was nothing like that after Eric. I had to bring myself back and move forward.

I watch Tristan until he turns the corner, and I can’t see him anymore. It’s probably time to head back inside anyway. I’ve been out here for a while. I make my way back in and run into Candace.

“Hey, I was just about to see if you wanted lasagna,” she says.This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

“Thanks that sounds great.”

“Cool, I love making it. I convinced the maids to let me cook today.” She chuckles.

“Could I help?” I offer. It would be nice to stay downstairs for a while and have something to do.

It would help me get used to my surroundings.

“I’d love that.”

We go into the kitchen together and start gathering the ingredients.

“Did you enjoy the beach?” she asks. “It’s gorgeous isn’t it.”

“Beautiful, and yes I loved it. It was nice to just sit on the sand and look at the sea. Do you come here often?”

“Nope,” she answers with a sigh and reaches for a vine with some plump red tomatoes. “This is my second time coming here. It’s not a place we visit often which is quite unfortunate. I always think it’s a crime to allow beauty like this to go to waste. But I get why Tristan wants to keep it that way.”

I want to ask her where we are but hold off. I haven’t been told that information yet, and if anyone should tell me it’s the boss himself. Not Candace. I don’t want to use my first taste of freedom as a means to get information, especially useless information.

I’ve decided that I’m not going to try to escape. There’s no point thinking I can do it the way I thought I could. I haven’t decided to relax and think things will be okay because I still need to be careful. I do know though that the only way I’ll leave this island is if I play nice and get from one day to the next. That’s the plan right now, and I’ll play everything else by ear.

“Is it true that no one can find it?” I am curious about that.

Candace nods and smiles. “That is true. I know it sounds farfetched, but these guys have a way of doing all sorts of things. An island no one can find is just one of them. Tristan and Dominic are alike in those ways.”

“Dominic?” I guess that must be Tristan’s brother, but that’s the first time I’ve heard his name.

Candace’s cheeks flush. “Yeah. Tristan’s brother.” She realizes I haven’t heard his name spoken before either, but she doesn’t look worried like it was supposed to be a secret.

She reaches for the herbs and other seasonings and starts adding it to the minced beef.

“I can make the bechamel sauce,” I offer. I used to watch my mother making hers. she added herbs to her mixture.

“Cool. Sounds like we have a plan.”

I make the sauce and help her with the salad. We start talking about cooking and it’s nice to be able to talk to another woman. We’re so lost in conversation that neither of us see Dominic approach until he’s practically next to us. Next to me, and he’s holding out a phone for me to take.

“Hi, Tristan wanted you to speak to Sacha when he felt better,” he says to me and my heart leaps at the thought of speaking to Sacha. “He’s better.”

“Oh, my goodness, thank you,” I breathe taking the phone.

“You can go out there and speak to him in private if you like.” He points out to the back garden.

“Thank you,” I say and head outside.

I press the phone to my ear and emotion takes me. I can’t believe the last time I saw Sacha I promised him I wouldn’t do anything foolish. Look what happened after.

“Sacha,” I say into the phone. I hear him draw in a breath.

“My dear Isabella,” he replies in a weak voice.

It’s so good to hear his voice. I didn’t realize just how much I missed him until I feared I’d never see him again. This is the longest I’ve ever been without him and the furthest I’ve ever been.

“I’m so sorry Sacha. I’m sorry. This is all my fault. What’s happened is all my fault.”

“No,” he says. “Never blame yourself. It’s your father’s fault. I can’t even sugar coat it for you like I used to. We’re in a situation where everyone feels like the bad guy. But … there’s just one devil and that’s him. He’s the reason why this is happening.”

I’ve never heard him speak like that against my father.

“What do we do now?” I know the answer to that is not in his hands. It’s not for him to decide.

“My dear I don’t know. We just go along with what they’re saying and hope for the best. I’m still with them, but I suspect it’s not out of captivity. More for protection. If your father sees me again, I’m dead.”

My breath catches. This is just one big mess, but I’m slowly seeing glimpses of the real man under the harsh exterior Tristan D’Agostino shows the world.

He said he’d make sure Sacha wasn’t harmed. This is what he did. He’s keeping him safe. For me.

“I’m sorry Sacha,” I say holding the phone closer.

“No more apologies, moya lyubov’. I pray I see you again soon. You told me I was like a father to you. I never got the chance to tell you you’ve always felt like a daughter to me. I’m sorry for the grief and the pain. I wish I could have done different things for you. I wish I could have given you a nicer life. A life where you could be happy.”

“Oh Sacha, I’m so grateful for you. Thank you for wishing that for me.” I don’t have anyone else who would love me like that.

“I feel we’ll have to go through much before we next see each other. I know your father. I know what he’s like. The guards think you escaped, but I think he knows you were taken too. Just like me. I knew you wouldn’t escape and put me at risk. He knows that.”

A chill races down my spine. He’s right. My father is no fool.

“You think he knows then?”

“I think he has a strong suspicion, but he’s waiting. It does look more like you escaped which if I’m honest, is good for everyone on all fronts.”

“What do you mean?” It’s a foolish question. It’s clear he wants my father stopped.

“I mean it wouldn’t be a bad thing if these people got to your father. It wouldn’t. I have been bound to your father through my own. It wasn’t my choice and I count myself lucky my duty was to protect you. But the amount of evil I’ve had to stand by and watch does things to a man.”

“I understand.”

“So, I think there will be much happening that will decide our fate.”

I believe that too.

“God speed my child, please be careful,” he adds.

“I will. I promise,” I say. “Please be careful too.”

“I will,” he replies and with that we hang up.

I close my eyes for a few brief moments and think about what Sacha said.

I believe him when he says much will happen to decide our fate.

What I hate is that I have no control over it.

I turn to go back inside but I stop when I find myself looking at Tristan walking through a grove of trees in the greenhouse. He’s shirtless and seems to be busy doing something. He can’t see me watching.

I want to thank him for allowing me to speak to Sacha, but I dare not go over to him.

He walks through the archway of ivy and like earlier on the beach I can’t see him anymore.

He still makes me curious, and I can still taste him.

I still feel desire and it’s something I’m not sure will go away.

What will his fate be when this is over?

Will we just walk away at the end like nothing happened?

He is my dark captor, but he might just be my dark knight too.