mind
I sat in Marco’s study, watching him pour two glasses of whiskey. The events from earlier still played in my like a fever dream. The Lion of Chicago – the most powerful man in the criminal underworld – had been right beside
me this whole time.
“You could have told me.” I accepted the glass he offered.
“Would you have believed me?” He settled into the leather chair across from me. “Or would you have run?”
“I don’t run anymore.”
“No,” his lips curved slightly. “You don’t”
The amber liquid burned my throat. “So everything – the business facade, pretending to be just another player in
this game…
“Was necessary. The strongest piece on the board isn’t always the most visible one.”
I studied him, seeing him with new eyes. The subtle power I’d always sensed now made perfect sense. “And what am I in this game of yours?”
“You were never a piece to be played, Isabella ” He leaned forward, eyes intense. “You’re the reason I stepped out
of the shadows.”
“Because of my family’s situation?”
“Because you’re the first person I’ve met who sees this life the way I do. Who understands that power isn’t about violence or fear – it’s about protection. Building something better.”
His words struck a chord. All those conversations we’d had about changing things, about using our influence to help rather than harm they hadn’t been theoretical.
Engaged to The Lam
“I wanted you to see me – the real me – before you knew what I was capable of.” He set his glass down. “The
question is, now that you know everything, has anything changed?”
I stood, walking to the window. Chicago’s lights sparkled below, a city that had no idea its fate was being
decided in this room
“You know what scares me?” I turned to face him. “Not that you’re The Lion. Not that you’ve been playing this long game. What scares me is that knowing all this doesn’t change how I feel about you.”
Marco crossed the room, his steps measured and deliberate. The air between us crackled with unspoken
tension
“And how do you feel about me, Isabella?”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “Like I’ve known you my whole life. Like every path I’ve taken led me here.” I traced my fingers along the cool glass of the window. “When my ex betrayed me, I thought I’d never trust anyone again. But you… you hid your identity, yet showed me more truth than anyone else ever has
“I never lied about who I am.” His hand found mine, turning me to face him. “Only what I am.”
en calm when dealing with the “The most powerful man in Chicago.” I let out a soft laugh. “No wonder you were
Kabbaros and Riccis.”
“Power means nothing without purpose.” His thumb traced circles on my palm. “I watched you fight against your heritage, try to escape it. But you came back stronger. That’s when I knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That you were like me. Someone who could see beyond the blood and violence, who could help reshape this world we were born into ”
I stepped closer, close enough to catch the faint scent of his cologne. “Is that all you saw?”
His free hand cupped my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. “I saw a woman who challenges me, questions me, makes me want to be worthy of her trust.” His voice dropped lower “A woman I’ve been falling for since the moment she stormed into my office demanding answers”
The memory of our first meeting brought a smile to my lips. “I threatened to shoot you.
“You did. It was refreshing”
His honesty, his vulnerability in this moment – it struck deeper than any revelation about his power could. Here was a man who could command armies with a whisper, yet he stood before me asking for something he couldn’t
take by force.
I held Marco’s gaze, the weight of everything settling between us. His thumb traced my jawline, and my breath caught in my throat.
“You know what this means,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “If we do this if I choose you – the
Kabbaros and Riccis won’t take it lying down”
“Let them try.” His confidence wasn’t arrogance – it was certainty. “They’ve been playing checkers while I’ve been playing chess.”
“And what about Alexander? The name felt bitter on my tongue. “He’s been making moves…”
Marco’s eyes darkened. “Alexander’s ambitions exceed his reach. He doesn’t know who he’s really dealing with.”
“Neither did I.” I placed my hand over his heart, feeling its steady beat beneath his shirt. “All this time, I thought! was just another piece in this game. But you saw something else.”
“I saw you, Isabella. Not the Romano name, not the potential alliance – just you.”
The sincerity in his voice made my chest tight. Here was the most powerful man in Chicago, the legendary Lion, showing me a side of himself few had ever seen.
8:54 AM & c
Mafa Queen Engaged to The Lion
“When Antonio married Shanya,” I said, “I thought our family was finished. That there was no way out.”
“There’s always a way out.” His fingers threaded through mine. “But I need you to be sure. Once we make this move, there’s no going back.”
I thought about everything that had led me here. My failed attempt at escaping this life, the betrayal that sent me home, and now this man who showed me there was another way to wear the crown.
“I spent years running from who I am,” I admitted. “But standing here with you… for the first time, I don’t want to run. I want to stay and fight”
His
eyes lit up with something fierce and protective. “Then let me fight beside you.”
Marco pulled away slightly, reaching into his jacket pocket. “I know we already agreed to this, but…“He withdrew a small velvet box. “Some things should be done properly”
