I am soooo sick. I am going to break everyone's heart soon with a death. A long chapter. I can't believe I have almost reached the end of my book. just a few more chapters. I am going to miss this family, especially Victor.

Isabella's POV:

I hugged each of my brothers, silently acknowledging the dangers that lay ahead, and the words of warning they had said to me stayed in my thoughts. Their anxiety weighed heavily on my shoulders; it was a blend of love and worry that strengthened my resolve.

As I approached the foreboding door leading to Ivan Pavlov's mansion, memories of past torment surfaced.

"Isabella," he drawled, his voice laced with malice, "what a delightful surprise. You look stunning tonight." His eyes gleamed with an unsettling mix of admiration and deceit.

"Enough theatrics, Ivan. We're not here for pleasantries," I retorted, my gaze unwavering.

He chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Sit, my dear. We have much to discuss." Reluctantly, I took a seat, the coldness of the chair mirroring the tension in the room.

Ivan poured wine into crystal glasses, the deep red liquid a harbinger of the ominous dance ahead. "To cooperation," he proposed, raising his glass.

"To get what we want," I replied, clinking my glass against his, my eyes fixed on him.

As the bitter wine touched my lips, Ivan leaned in, his voice a venomous whisper. "You know, Isabella, I never desired this bloodshed. Our families could have been allies."

I scoffed, bitterness seeping into my words. "Allies? After what you did to us? There's no turning back."

Leaning back, Ivan's smile widened. "Circumstances change. Fabio's demise was an unfortunate consequence. But you, my dear, you're a valuable asset now." I always liked wine but his tasted just like him bitter and disgusting.

I clenched my fists, the anger simmering beneath the surface. "I'll never be your asset. I'm here for one thing – my brother."

Ivan's smile twisted into something more sinister. "Ah, young Edward. A cute lad, isn't he? Such a shame he got caught up in our affairs."

My eyes narrowed. "Enough games, Ivan. What's your demand?"

He leaned forward, locking eyes with me. "Join me, Isabella. Embrace the assassin you were trained to be. Together, we can reshape the mafia, make it thrive."

I fought the urge to lash out. "I'd sooner die."

"You were nothing more than a tool, Isabella. A weapon to be wielded," Ivan sneered, his eyes devoid of remorse.

I scoffed, the bitterness in my voice cutting through the air. "You tortured me, used me. But I'm not your pawn anymore."

He leaned back, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Fabio's death was necessary, as was the attempt on Louis. The chess pieces had to be moved."

My fists clenched at the mention of Fabio, a fatherly figure whose memory still ignited a flame of rage within me. "You killed him, and now you want me to join you? You're delusional."

Ivan's eyes gleamed with a twisted satisfaction. "Joining me is the only way to avenge Fabio. The world is a chessboard, Isabella, and you must learn to play."

A surge of hatred coursed through me. "You murdered my father and tortured Louis. There's no alliance between us."

The room darkened as Ivan's gaze bore into mine. "Your father was weak. I did what needed to be done. Fabio stood in the way of progress."

"He was like a father to me!" I snapped, my voice trembling with suppressed rage.

Ivan's expression hardened. "Pity. You're a stubborn one. But don't worry; I have something to sweeten the deal."

" Your cute beloved brother's life"

Disgust filled me. "You're a monster, Ivan."

He chuckled, relishing the chaos unfolding. "I prefer the term strategist. Now, Isabella, time is ticking. Make your choice."

Outside, my brothers' choreographed mayhem played out like a symphony of destruction. Crash after crash sounded in the air, breaking up the sour talk within.

As Ivan and I locked eyes, an understanding passed between us – the inevitability of a violent confrontation. He had prepared for this, anticipating the resilience of a family unwilling to surrender quietly.

The room trembled with the distant sounds of battle. Ivan, confident in his preparations, smirked. "Your brothers are courageous, Isabella. They prefer to go down fighting. Admirable, but futile."

"Victor and Daniel D'Angelo," Ivan mused, his tone laced with disdain. "A family built on the blood of others. Your grandfather, the puppeteer orchestrating it all."

I shot back, "They're my family, and we've survived your attempts to tear us apart."

Ivan chuckled, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "Survived, yes, but not unscathed. Your father, the late Don D'Angelo, was a weak link in the chain."

"He was my father," I retorted, my voice unwavering, "and you murdered him in front of Victor"

The mention of my father brought a glint of malice to Ivan's eyes. "Your father underestimated the game. He paid the price."

A bitter taste lingered in my mouth as I pressed on, "You hate the D'Angelos, yet you're obsessed with us. Why?"

Ivan leaned in, his eyes ablaze. "Your father, the traitor who betrayed his kind. I despised him. But now, I see potential in you, Isabella. The Italian Mafia's princess."

I scoffed at the title, a mockery of the legacy I carried. "I'll never join you. You're blinded by your hatred."

"Hatred is a powerful motivator," Ivan replied, unfazed. "I've harnessed it to survive, to thrive. You could do the same."

Now, the rhythmic crashes and distant shouts served as a dissonant soundtrack to our conversation.

As we exchanged barbs, Ivan subtly revealed glimpses of his plan. "Your brothers are playing right into my hands. A diversion, an assault. I expected nothing less."

I remained composed, masking the unease creeping through my veins. "They're not as predictable as you think."

Ivan's sinister smile widened. "Oh, but they are. Your brothers are pawns on this chessboard. Every move calculated."

Despite my calm demeanour, a sudden lightheadedness washed over me I fought to maintain composure, refusing to show weakness.

"You think you can outsmart us," I countered, my voice steady. "We're not as naive as you believe."

Ivan's laughter echoed through the room, a dark symphony accompanying the unfolding confrontation. "You underestimate me, Isabella. This is a game, and I always play to win."

The room blurred momentarily, but I shook off the disorientation. we were both engaged in a struggle for control while the bloodshed outside escalated.

"You were once a pawn in my game, Isabella," Ivan confessed, a twisted pride in his words. "Sold into the Russian Mafia by your mother. A fragile woman easily manipulated."

My jaw clenched at the mention of my mother, a woman I remembered and hated with everything.

"I convinced her," Ivan continued, relishing the narrative, "that the Mafia was no place for a girl. I played on her fears, painted a picture of danger, and offered an escape. Little did she know, it was all part of my grand design."

I shot him a withering look, silently urging him to continue.

"I orchestrated her meeting with one of my men, a puppet in my hands. She fell in love, and played right into my hands," Ivan chuckled, savouring the memories. "Everything was my play until Fabio stepped in."

A flicker of anger crossed my face at the mention of Fabio, the man who was like my own father who dared to defy Ivan's calculated schemes for my sake and died because of it.

"Fabio ruined my carefully laid plans," Ivan sneered, the bitterness evident. "He toppled my chessboard and exposed my game. So he had to be dealt with.

"I created my own gang, Ivan, to break free from your chains," I declared, a surge of defiance breaking through. "I won't let you control me again."

Ivan's eyes glinted with a mix of amusement and calculation. "You escaped one web only to find yourself entangled in another. Your choices, Isabella, have always been within the confines of the game."

"You see, Isabella," Ivan continued, his voice dripping with condescension, "you were always meant to be a tool, a means to an end. Fabio's interference disrupted my plans, but now, fate has brought us back together."

I steadied myself, pushing through the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm my senses. "Fate or not, Ivan, I won't be your puppet any longer. I've built something for myself, something beyond your machinations."

Ivan chuckled, a cold sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Built on the foundation of my designs, my influence. You're still dancing to my tune, Isabella. You may have your little gang, but I've always held the strings."

"You see, Isabella," Ivan continued, his voice dripping with condescension, "you were always meant to be a tool, a means to an end. Fabio's interference disrupted my plans, but now, fate has brought us back together."

I steadied myself, pushing through the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm my senses. "Fate or not, Ivan, I won't be your puppet any longer. I've built something for myself, something beyond your machinations."

Ivan chuckled, a cold sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Built on the foundation of my designs, my influence. You're still dancing to my tune, Isabella. You may have your little gang, but I've always held the strings."

"You're feeling it, aren't you?" Ivan observed.

"You bastard!" I spat, my voice carrying a venomous edge. "You poisoned the wine, thinking it would be that easy to subdue me? You underestimate me"

a cruel smirk playing on his lips. "The effects of the poison. A fitting metaphor for the toxicity of the life you chose to lead."

I narrowed my eyes at him, determination burning despite the creeping weakness. "Your poisons won't break me, Ivan. I've faced worse."

Just as Ivan prepared to respond, the door burst open, revealing a wounded man from Ivan's ranks. He staggered into the room, bloodied and desperate. Collapsing to the floor, he struggled to utter coherent words.

"Boss," he gasped, his eyes wild with panic, "they're stronger than we thought. The D'Angelo family... they're everywhere."Ivan's face contorted in disbelief, a flicker of panic betraying his calm facade.

The wounded man, on the brink of collapse, managed to choke out a few more words. "They've outmanoeuvred us. Your plan... it's falling apart."

I hope Sandy and my people were out there ready to step in when needed and carry out my plan and I could do what my heart desired with him without any worries about my family.

Ivan's facade cracked further as the reality of his diminishing influence set in. "This changes nothing, Isabella," he hissed, his attempt to maintain dominance failing.

Ignoring his words, I pressed on, determined "You thought you could control me, manipulate me into submission. But I am not the girl you once exploited. I've changed but you- you are still the same"

As Ivan attempted to retreat, a surge of determination propelled me forward. I swiftly retrieved the concealed dagger, hidden beneath my dress – a weapon of last resort. The glint of steel reflected the determination in my eyes.

"Let's finish this," I declared, my voice a defiant challenge.

Ivan met my gaze with a cold smile, drawing his own weapon. The clash of steel resonated through the room.

The dagger in my hand cut through the air and Ivan, caught off guard by my sudden aggression, stumbled backwards.

"Isabella, you always were a thorn in my side," he hissed, regaining his composure.

Our surroundings blurred as the adrenaline-fueled confrontation unfolded. I pressed the attack, each movement fueled by the pent-up rage and the desperation to free Edward. Ivan, however, managed to skillfully evade my strikes. this damned poison was making me sloppy. I shook my head struggling to clear any confusion. I had only taken a few sips of poison so it was not that strong, it would certainly take time to show its full effect and I needed to win before that happened.

"Give it up, Isabella. You can't defeat me," Ivan taunted, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

As the struggle intensified, a sudden crash echoed from the mansion's exterior, sending tremors through the foundation. For a moment I felt as though the world was pulled from my feet and all I saw was black. Just for a moment- With a swift move, Ivan disarmed me, sending the dagger skidding out of reach. He seized the opportunity to gloat, "You were always a pawn, Isabella. A tool I used to manipulate the course of fate."

I staggered back, momentarily disoriented and fell down. This poison was making me too weak.

"Since you're so eager to play hero, Isabella, let me offer you a parting gift. Your dear brother Edward is in the basement cells."

His words cut through the chaos and confusion in my mind, and a surge of conflicting emotions coursed through me. The layout of the mansion flashed in my mind – a mental map etched through years of visits and torture in those cells I saw as well as endured. Ignoring Ivan's mocking gaze, I gathered my strength and sprinted towards the familiar corridor leading to the cells.

As I reached the dimly lit cells, the stench of dampness and despair filled the air. As I made my way through the intricate network in search of Edward, my heart was racing.

And then, there he was – my little brother, confined in a cold, dark cell. His eyes widened in both surprise and relief as I approached. Without hesitation, I shot at the lock causing the cell door to open, and we collapsed into each other's arms. useless gun! God hated me why did a gun I picked up in the path have only one last bullet in it?

"Isabella!" Edward exclaimed, his voice a mix of astonishment and gratitude. We held each other tightly, the tumult of emotions expressed through a silent embrace.

Tears streamed down my face, a mixture of joy, relief, and lingering anger. "I've got you, Edward. You're safe now," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.

But as we moved towards the exit, His sneering voice cut through the moment of reunion. "Well, well, Isabella. Fancy meeting you here. Ivan knew you couldn't resist playing the hero."

My grip tightened around Edward, shielding him as best I could. Sergey's presence reopened old wounds, memories of torture and suffering surfacing. He had played a role in my darkest days, and now, he held our fate in his hands.

"Step away from the boy, Isabella and follow me" Sergey commanded, a malicious glint in his eyes. The gun's barrel remained unwavering as the harsh reality of our predicament unfolded. Sergey, Ivan's cunning second-in-command, stood in the shadows, a gun pointed directly at us.

"Never" I was done with being at gunpoint always.

"He lives if you step away" In the name of holy god!

" What do you want now? you will never win" I spat stepping forward.

"The game has just begun, Isabella," he murmured, his gaze meeting mine with a sombre intensity.

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