Page 17 of Isabella

Lux is quiet for a minute and bites the inside of her cheek. She looks between Liana and me before finally saying, “I mean, he’s very funny and handsome, so there really isn’t muchnotto like about Enzo.”

Rolling my eyes, I let out a groan. “Oh, gosh, he’s gotten to her too, Liana.”

We all laugh, but once it dies down, Liana says, “So, back to thelittle incident.”

Dragging my gaze to hers, I prepare to speak about the one guy I was hoping I’d never have to speak about again. The one guy who effortlessly evokes a specific emotional response out of me.

Anger.

“Well, Giuseppe Silvestri decided to crash my dinner and threaten Teo into giving him back access to the ports.” I quickly avert my gaze to Lux who’s watching me intently, waiting for me to drop the real bomb on Liana. Because while Giuseppe Silvestri’s threat shouldn’t be taken lightly, I know Teo and Enzo will get that taken care of. I, however, cannot focus on anything but my concern for Nicco Silvestri.

Bringing my attention back to my cousin, I continue. “And he brought a certain someone.”

Liana’s eyes narrow and her brows crinkle as she tries to figure out who I’m talking about. “Who would Giuseppe Silvestri bring that…” Her eyes widen as realization dawns on her. “Oh, shit.”

“Oh, yes,” I respond.

“SoNiccolò Silvestridecided to crash your birthday dinner?” Liana shakes her head. “What a cocksucker. Did he say anything to you?”

I let out an amused scoff. “He told me to enjoy the rest of my birthday.” I shake my head, irritated that after all these years he can still get a reaction out of me.

“Wow… so he’s really back?”

“Yep,” I say, popping the p.

“Which means he’s probably going to be at the gala tomorrow,” Liana says. “Giuseppe Silvestri wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to mingle with the big players in the city. See which ones he can add to his payroll.”

Shit.

I didn’t even think about running into Nicco again so soon. I figured it’s a big city, so it could easily be another few months before I see him again.

Shaking off that dreadful feeling in my gut, I say, “It’s fine. If he’s there, I’ll just continue doing what he told me to do the last time we talked: never speak to him again.”

* * *

THREE YEARS AGO

“Is Nicco coming over tonight?” Liana asks as I head for the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water.

“He’s supposed to, but he texted me earlier telling me he had to meet with his dad to go over some business stuff, so we’ll see. You want one?” I say, holding up a water bottle to her.

“Yes, please,” she says from the kitchen island with her laptop open and fabric swatches strewn all over the counter.

Reaching back into the fridge, I grab a cold bottle of water before walking around the counter to hand it to her. I peer over the counter at what she’s working on. “What are all of these swatches for?”

“I’m working on a dress design for one of my classes, and I’m trying to narrow down the fabric I want to use.”

Nodding, I run my fingers through the swatches and am immediately drawn to one. “I like this one,” I say, picking up the satin rose-gold swatch that seems to shimmer as it catches the overhead lighting.

“Of course you do.” Liana laughs, taking the swatch from me. “You and rose gold go hand in hand.”

“You know it’s my favorite,” I say, giving her a wink before my attention gets drawn to my cell phone vibrating on the counter.

Picking it up, I see it’s Nicco calling, and a smile forms on my face as I excuse myself and head to my room.

“Hey,” I answer excitedly, closing my bedroom door before flopping down on my bed.

“Hey,” Nicco responds, but there’s a slight fault in his tone, almost as if something’s wrong, which has me sitting up straight.

---