Chapter 21

Isabella

I stole a quick glance at the door one more time. I couldn’t count the number of times I’d glanced in that direction, but I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I zeroed down the number to at least a hundred times at the last minute. My heart hammered in my chest and with each breath I took, it seemed to fuel the whole thing. Was I supposed to stop breathing? Maybe that would help? No.

Nothing could calm my thumping heart, even though I knew it. Not when I knew what was at stake. I stole one more glance at the door and almost regretted it immediately. For a split second, my eyes wandered to the window, where Alessandro’s men stood still and waiting. I felt my heart pick up its pace again, even faster than the last time, and I wondered just what it would look like if it just happened to tear right through my skin.

I allowed my thoughts to run wild as my imagination did its thing. I closed my eyes, just to