BENEATH HER EMPIRE

yes remained locked on Gabriel. He had always been a thorn in her side, unpredictable and reckless, but this was someth

heir presence like a shadow-silent, deadly, efficient. But Isabella didn't need them to make her pr

oth and cold, cutting through the st

miliar arrogance she had grown to loathe. His stance was casual, as if this confrontation was nothing more than

s curling into a smirk. "What, no bodyguards toda

t churned. "Cut the games, Gabriel. You've been meeting with the Delgados

ime." He glanced at the two men from the Delgados who stood nearby, watching silently. "These men understand the

don't need your lessons on the game," she replied,

them. Isabella noticed, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Something was

r fingers brushing the smooth metal of her gun. Before Gabriel could make a move, she lev

nd, but then he shrugged nonchalantly. "You thi

and resolute. "You've already made a mistake by involvin

t echoed in the warehouse. "Fix it? You re

l you, Gabriel. I just need you to understand who holds the power here. Y

his next move, before he spoke again. "You think I'm scared of you? Of your empire? You've spent your life buildin

ng into her palm. "I've survived just fine without

Isabella with cold menace. She didn't flinch. She had faced worse. A

anded, her voice

waiting for the right moment to strike. But

re and everywhere at once. It wasn't just a warning-it was a signal. Isabella's men h

hing across his face. He knew he was trapped. There would b

id, her voice unwavering. "The

u think you've won? You're wrong. You may have the power right now, but you w

g to her men. The Delgados were detained, their illegal dealings ex

stood before the large window once mo

ing the world she controlled, Isabella couldn't shake the feeling that something-someone-was waiting in

orarily put in his place, but his words were a reminder that the game was far from over.

better than to think she could rest easy. In her world, victory

: the will to survive, and the ability t

ething no one co