Page 15 of Isabella

“I don’t care about her name. I just care that you get her to fall in love with you. We’re going to use her to get to those ports. Get her wrapped around your finger so we can get Matteo DiMaggio wrapped around ours. He’s a sucker for his family.”

This is the dumbest fucking idea ever.

My jaw drops open, prepared to rebut him, but then I close it as realization hits me. I haven’t seen or spoken to Isabella in over three years because of my dad, but now he’s giving me a reason to. I can use this opportunity to finally explain to her what I could never explain back then.

“Okay,” I concede. “I’ll see what I can do.”

A sinister grin breaks out on my dad’s aged face, deepening the already pertinent lines around his mouth. “Great. You can start at the mayor’s charity gala this weekend. Everyone will be there.”

13

ISABELLA

Liana just got here with Lux’s and my gowns for the charity gala the mayor’s holding tonight. Events like this are always something my family attends to show face to the big players in the city. You never know when you’ll need a favor. Plus, it’s for charity, and if my family is going to make its fortune illegally, the least we can do is donate some of it to a good cause.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it to your birthday dinner, Izzy,” Liana says as she hangs the two garment bags in my walk-in closet. “Getting this bridal line ready has been a lot more work than I anticipated.” With arms extended, she walks over to me, taking me into a hug. “The only reason I’m surviving is because you’ve been helping me with the store.”

Liana owns her own boutique on Fifth Avenue. When she broke into the bridal industry, I offered to help out at the boutique because I could see how overwhelmed she was taking on everything on her own. She’s an extremely hard-working, driven person, and it shows in the success of her brand.

Pulling away, I place my hands on her shoulders and look down at her. “You’re totally fine, Liana. I know you’re busy with getting your samples manufactured, which by the way, I cannot wait to see.”

“Well, don’t you worry. I’ll be getting you and Lux tickets to New York’s Bridal Fashion Week this spring.” Her smile widens. “I can’t believe it’ll be my debut in the bridal industry. It’s scary but also thrilling. Seeing my brand grow at such a rapid speed is what dreams are truly made of.”

“You’re going to kill it.”

“Knock, knock,” Lux calls out from my room. “You guys in here?”

“We’re in my closet,” I call out. Liana and I walk over to the hanging dresses and unzip the black garment bags.

“Hey, Liana,” Lux says from behind us, causing Liana to spin on her heel and give her the same hug she gave me moments ago.

“Hi, Lux! I was just telling Izzy that I’m getting you both tickets to fashion week in the spring if you want to come see my debut on the bridal runway.”

“Is that even a question?Of courseI want to go. Your designs were gorgeous on paper, so I cannot wait to see them in real life. My wedding dress was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, so I know the rest will be amazing.”

When Liana took Lux’s and my measurements for these gowns a few months ago, we also tricked Lux into picking out her favorite wedding dress from Liana’s sketch book. Teo surprised Lux with a vow renewal ceremony since their original marriage was… well, not exactly what a girl’s dreams are made of. It was an arranged marriage, so neither of them even liked each other when they got married.

When my brother finally decided to pull his head out of his ass, they fell for each other hard and fast, so Teo decided to surprise Lux with an intimate vow renewal ceremony down in Brooklyn Bridge Park where she got to wear a Liana DiMaggio original. The first bridal gown she’s ever made.

“You ladies are amazing. The support means everything to me,” Liana gushes before pulling a long royal-blue dress with a plunging deep V-neckline out of the first garment bag. A gasp escapes from Lux’s parted lips.

“You better strip, Lux. I need to see that beauty on younow,” I say before she starts pulling her sweatshirt over her head.

I turn around and bring my attention back to the second bag that contains the dress Liana made for me. As I finish opening it, my eyes widen while I take in the rose gold satin evening gown.

“Holy crap, Liana,” I say when I feel her slide up next to me. “You’ve really outdone yourself.” I remember going through Liana’s sketches and picking this design out a few months ago, but seeing the dress come to life is nothing like it is on paper.

“It’s going to look killer on you, Izzy,” she says before turning back to Lux and saying, “Alright, you ready for me?”

I trail my fingers over the delicate lace appliqué that covers the corset bodice and the off-the-shoulder sleeves, making my way down to the silky satin skirt. The shimmery fabric is so soft against my fingers as I run them along the seam of the high slit.

It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“Okay, what do you think?” Lux calls out from behind me, pulling my attention away from Liana’s masterpiece.

I gasp as I take in Lux in the double-slit dress. The color next to her fair skin and dark hair makes her look absolutely regal.

“Gorgeous, Lux. It fits perfectly, and the color is amazing.”

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