Page 74 of Impenitent Claim

His hand shot out. Instinct made me move backward, dodging the blow. My hip collided with a side table, and pain flared from the spot.

“How dare you!” I gasped.

Cosimo advanced a step. “My father tore down yours, and while there’s a puppet keeping his seat warm, know that you’ll be a widow soon, dolcezza. I’m going to come for you.”

Fear slithered down my spine. He couldn’t be serious. Did he really just say that? I swallowed hard. Cosimo gripped my elbow and tugged me back to the door. I let him, but only because I hoped my dark knight watched from the distance. This little prick wouldn’t survive the wrath of my spectre. Ilya might not be able to save me from the whole famiglia, but he could remove Cosimo’s grubby fingers for touching me.

Unfortunately, through the rest of the service, there was no indication of the phantasmal presence haunting me.

Chapter 30 – Isabella

The only way we were allowed to have access to weapons was by inviting Alonzo to come shooting with us, which my fiancé was more than happy to do. Gio and I stacked the pumpkins in a row at the end of the warehouse, and I kept checking over my shoulder. Standing next to the plastic folding table with our guns, Alonzo seemed delicate. Fragile. Breakable.

I should warn him.

The force that stopped me was wondering what Alonzo could actually do to protect himself from the underboss’s spawn. Denouncing Cosimo would only sow discord. There hadn’t been any witnesses to his rough treatment of me at mass. In a struggle between his word and mine, I didn’t stand a chance. But privately, Alonzo might believe me. Still, my fiancé probably wouldn’t take action. Any internal hostility could be very bad for business. Based on past history, the don would sooner hush Alonzo, not wanting to deal with his suspicions, especially with the fight raging with the Scorso family.

It was terrible to think of a father disposing of his only child, but the don was not himself. I wasn’t supposed toknow anything, but the infrastructure of the mob was rapidly falling apart. The war with the other family should have been a skirmish, blood for blood. Instead, we seemed to be falling like dominos, and not just our soldiers. Various projects and deals were disintegrating. Gas leaks covered treachery. Job sites were compromised. Every day, a fresh hell descended on us. I only caught whispers, not being privy to the business dealings. But from the wan countenances and hollow, sleeplessness that marked the soldiers, it seemed a common enough theme.

The last thing the don would want was his son making an enemy of his underboss. Alonzo would have to be extremely careful going forward.

“Let’s say we make this interesting,” Alonzo suggested, coming behind us with a target stencil and can of spray paint. “A grand to the most accurate shot.”

That was easy money, but I couldn’t help hustling him a little. “That will take all my savings,” I whined.

Alonzo paused, looking up at me from under his thick, albeit straight lashes. “Really?”

I shuffled. “Well, yeah. My allowance isn’t big, since papa’s estate was swallowed into the famiglia.”

Pushing to his feet, Alonzo stepped toward me. His hand trembled as he reached to cup my cheek. It was a soft, gentle touch.

I had to brace myself so as not to recoil.

“We’ll fix that soon, Isabella,” my fiancé murmured.

This wasn’t a bad man…this just wasn’t the right man. I hated myself, knowing that what I craved most was a dominating hold that I couldn’t have. It would take a lot of convincing to be content with this man. Even more, because I knew what I really wanted was ever present, leaving me gifts of food and other items that made me feel spoilt and cherished. My stalker knew my likes and dislikes better than anyone breathing. Itmight be a red flag that he watched me so closely, but he cared about finding out the little things about me, more than the man touching me.

“Thank you,” I breathed, because I needed to say something. I didn’t want the money promised to my birth. I wanted the freedom, limited though it was, that my parents allowed me. The life I had before was almost perfect. Alonzo could never give that to me.

But if he died….

I shuddered. Alonzo might not know me as deeply as some crazed Russian cage fighter, but he was better than the alternative.

I have to warn him!

Alonzo continued to gaze at me with adoring eyes. I should tell him about Cosimo. It didn’t have to be detailed, just a vague warning. He should know. If for no other reason, this sweet man needed to be able to defend himself.

I opened my mouth.

“Will you two lovebirds knock it off so we can get this started?” Gio complained.

I swallowed hard, mouth suddenly dry.

“What is it?” Alonzo tipped his head to the side. Kindness warmed his eyes. “Are you getting cold feet, Isabella?”

I barked a laugh. “If only that were it.”

“Well then, what is it?” he pressed.

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