A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for coming back for another chapter of Mafia Memoirs. Please, please please leave a review! I really like to know how this story is being received!
The burn I felt inside my heart wasn't as painful as it used to be. Where I used to seek comfort in the flames that rose inside my chest at the mere thought of them, now became a burden. I couldn't mourn them forever. They were free now...wherever they were. No, I couldn't mourn them. But I sure as hell could avenge them.
Chapter 3 (Bella POV)
My whole body ached. I felt stiff and disjointed. But nothing was as bad as the throbbing in my head as I laid on the cool concrete floor. I couldn't cry anymore tears. My eyes felt swollen and sore. My parents. My poor Mama and Papa.
I had heard about Carlisle Culleniza before. He was dangerous, a maniac, and so very very handsome. My good friend Angela was always up on the latest gossip. She said that Mr. Culleniza had the temperament of a viper. That he stuck his enemies quickly and without remorse. I guess I believed her now.
The sound of the heavy door unbolting pulled me to my feet. Inside the doorway stood a tall man. At least 6'4" with coppery brown hair that stuck up in every direction. He had an angular nose, and a strong jaw and build. But it was his eyes that I couldn't look away from. A forestry green color, they left me breathless. He stood still, appraising me, his mouth set in a firm line. I blushed and looked down. I had to be a mess. My pink dress was dirty and torn, and my hair and face felt dirty. No man should see a lady in such a state.
He spoke then, with an authoritative tone, although his eyes had softened. "I have instructions to bring you to my father. If you'd follow me please.". I nodded mutely and followed him out of the dark, damp room. He lead up a long narrow staircase and through a heavy wooden door. Upstairs was ornately decorated. Rich burgundy colored walls and plush carpets lined a wide, long hallway. On them hung what I assumed to be generations of Culleniza men painted in bright colors and in heavy golden frames that matched the crown molding. My eyes must have widened in shock...what a contrast to the dungeon like basement. I heard the attractive man snicker and electricity shot through me as he gently touched my elbow. He must have felt it too, because I looked up at him through my heavy lashes and watched as his amused expression disappeared. He spoke a bit more forcefully this time "This way!". He pulled me down the hall way and opened a heavy walnut door. He held it open for me and ushered me inside. It looked like an office. There was a heavy mahogany desk in the center of the room. There were shelves full of books from floor to ceiling and plush chairs that I longed to take a nap in. He cleared his throat and spoke then, "Wait here, my father will be with you shortly.". As he turned to leave there was a tightening in my chest, he couldn't just leave me here! "Wait!" I shouted . He turned around slowly his lips in a hard, firm line. "Yes Miss. Swanson?" he replied. "You can't leave me in here Mr.-" I all but shouted. "Edward" he replied so softly I could barely hear him, "My name is Edward." . "Please! You have to help me, Mr. Culleniza killed my parents, you have to get me out of here!". I was shouting now, traitor tears spilling from my eyes. "Please wait here Miss., my father will be with you shortly." he said and then he was gone.
My eyes traveled around the room after the door closed behind be. I wandered over to the window and watched as the snow fell to the ground. Would I ever be free again? Would I die here? I don't know how long I stood there ,pondering my own fate. I heard someone clear there throat behind me. I spun around the behold none other than Mr. Culleniza in all his terrifying glory. He was beautiful in the way a lion was as it stalked its prey, before it attacked. He had a dangerous gleam to his eye that made me want to leap from the window behind me. He began walking toward me until he was mere inches seperated his body from mine."Won't you please make yourself comfortable Miss. Swanson." he said, gesturing to the plush leather chairs on the other side of the room. I swallowed thickly, shaking my head "Please sir." I begged, "I swear I won't tell anyone anything. Please! Please! Just let me live". He chuckled then, the bastard. Here I was begging for my life, and he had the audacity to laugh at me. He brought his fingers to the side of my face to stroke my cheekbone as tears spilled from my eyes. "Sweet Isabella.", he crooned in my ear "If I wanted to kill you, you'd already be dead. Now be a good girl and take a seat". His words did little to comfort me as I stumbled to the other side of the room and lowered myself into the chair. He sat himself in his office chair. His long legs stretched out on top of the desk, hands folded in his lap. His cold blue eyes appraised me. He smiled. "Do you know why your here Isabella?" he asked. I shook my head yes. "Yes sir, my father was severely indebted to you financially, from what I understand." I replied hastily. His grin widened "Such a smart girl. And how to you propose we repay this debt in light of your fathers' untimely death?". Now he was just toying with me, my father had already repaid his debt tenfold with his life. "Surely the debt has been repaid now that you've taken my father's life." I replied as I felt myself begin to shake. Would he kill me too? "I have a better idea!" Carlisle replied, his eyes suddenly filled with chidlike excitement. "We will marry, you will be my wife and give me children." he said. Suddenly the room was spinning. "But you already have children! Grown children! I am betrothed to another!" I was now out of my seat and shouting. Self- preservation be damned, there was no way I would marry him. He was out of his seat too and in from of me, his hand gripping tightly to my arm. His face looked angry. " You will be my wife Isabella! You will find that I am a man who always gets what he desires. And I desire you! Your betrothal to Mr. Destler is nothing that cannot be set aside!". His face was inches from mine now, I could feel his hot breath on my cheeks. "You will be my wife, and in my bed every night or I will slit your pretty little throat." he practically spat at me. The room was spinning faster now. All I saw was stormy blue eyes before, once again, darkness overtook me.