Page 52 of Impenitent Claim

“I can’t have the guards seeing the flicker when you pull back the shades,” she muttered.

The space fell into almost complete darkness, but I saw her move close. More accurately, I sensed her. “Don’t get shot again tonight,” she breathed. “I won’t be able to stitch a hole in your skull.”

With that, she pushed up the window. “Out you go.”

I couldn’t help it. I caught her hand and pressed a kiss on the back of her knuckles. “I mean it. Thank you, Isabella.”

Her soft inhale sent a rush of heat straight to my dick. This woman was intoxicating! Everything about her called to me.

“It’s Izzy,” she whispered. “Isabella was my mother and grandmother.”

Izzy…. I liked that.

With a final squeeze of her delicate fingers that had so gracefully sewn me back together, I slipped into the night. Her head peeking through the opening prevented me from shuttingthe window and screen. That molten chocolate gaze followed me until I disappeared into the thick foliage of the back garden, and even then, I felt her watching from her window. Soon, I wouldn’t have to leave her when dawn came. Soon, I would no longer hate sunrises.

Chapter 22 – Isabella

“And what are you wearing to the shower this weekend?” Cecilia narrowed her eyes at me over her cup of steaming water.

Not tea, not coffee, just hot water. What kind of creature thought that was the best choice of beverage?

“You have thought of the shower, Isabella?” Cecilia pressed.

“Oh, of course!” I rushed to say. The torture session that was tonight, trying to save face and the impending wedding, was almost over. The fact that the well laid wedding plans began to fall like dominos coincided with the appearance of the spectre wasn’t lost to me. While I should rage at him, I couldn’t bring myself to bother. This was one aspect where his presence seemed a blessing rather than a curse. “I was just thinking what I haven’t worn yet.”

The strega hummed and took a long sip of her drink.

I nibbled the corner of my lip, running through the possible choices. To be honest, I hadn’t thought about the upcoming event other than knowing it was another to-do item on my calendar.

“I have a retro style emerald dress,” I offered.

Cecilia leaned back, sighing dramatically. “You’re not going to a sock hop. Don’t you have that lovely tweed set we purchased on our last trip into the city?”

I stifled a groan. “The one from Saks?”

“Yes, that is far more appropriate, don’t you think?”

No, I did not think so, and no one with a sense of fashion would agree to that. The black and white weave made it look grey and the cut was frumpy. But this was not a hill I wanted to die on tonight. The strega could have her way.

“Yeah, that will be fine,” I agreed, gathering my planner and preparing to disappear for the rest of the night. The light dinner made my stomach pinch. The sooner I hurried to my room the sooner I could find my hidden stash of protein bars. They didn’t taste great, but they would stop the gnawing in my gut while giving me the macros and calories to support my body.

“You don’t sound very enthusiastic,” the strega huffed.

I gave her a blistering smile, my teeth in danger of cracking from the pressure. “It’s very kind of Signora Modesti to offer to host a bridal shower for me. I’ll be sure to find her a beautiful hostess gift.”

“That’s kind of you, but you needn’t bother,” the witch said imperiously. “It’s her duty as your father’s second cousin once removed.”

One of these days I was going to stab Cecilia with a fork for saying such stuck up, snobbish things. Darting from the room, her final words drove that declaration home.

“Don’t be sneaking any snacks, Isabella! Your dress was still too tight this morning, and the seamstress won’t be able to take the waist out anymore,” Cecelia called out. “I think I’ll call the doctor about appetite suppressants.”

Screw the protein bars.I resolved right then and there to sneak to the kitchen and find a real snack. To hell with the risk.If my stalker could come and go as he pleased, I could try to feed myself properly for a change. Until then, I would drink water to keep my stomach from rumbling.

Just as I reached the stairs, a group of young men emerged from the don’s office. A shock of brown hair that matched my own caught my eye. The pinch of hunger quickly turned to a stronger, tighter knot.

“Gio!” I snatched the sleeve of his leather jacket. “Gio, where are you going?”

A few of his cronies shot me a look and rough laughter whispered through them as they disappeared through the door. Cosimo stopped and outright glared at me.

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