Page 31 of Isabella

“As of right now, we have full support from all of the capos except two,” I say. “We need to work on Panebianchi and Castello. If this family is going to thrive, then I want everyone’s support before I overthrow my dad.”

Dante and Leo nod.

“We’re fucking close, guys. We’ve been working on this plan since Sicily, and as soon as Panebianchi and Castello are on board, we’ll finally be able to lead this family the way it deserves.”

“I’ll work on Panebianchi,” Dante says.

“And I’ll work on Castello,” Leo says.

“Good. The faster they give us their support, the better,” I say. Now all I need is my Isabella, and then everything I worked so damn hard for will finally be worth it.

“I’m surprised your dad hasn’t told everyone about his plan for you to use Isabella to get the ports back,” Leo says.

“Do we care if he starts telling people that? Do you think it’ll make them start having more faith in him again?” Dante says.

“No.” I shake my head. “Because in the end, it’s me who’s doing the work. My dad isn’t doing shit, so him opening his mouth about thatcouldeven work to our advantage. But our men are smart. They already see the lack of worth my dad brings to the table as a don.”

“Speaking of Isabella,” Leo says, and his tone has me snapping my gaze to his in a fierce lock.

“What about her?” I snap.

“Relax,” he says, holding up his hands. “I just heard a little something about last night that you might want to know about.”

“What the fuck did you manage to hear about last night? You weren’t even there.”

Leo laughs. “You know how things go. Plus,” he says, pointing to his ears, “dog ears.”

“What did you hear?” I ask, my patience reaching its limit.

“There’s a rumor going around that the Bonettis and the DiMaggios might be solidifying an alliance through the marriage of a certain someone.”

My skin boils with rage while I start fiddling with the pen on my desk. “What in thefuckare you talking about, Leo?”

He raises a brow at me. “People think Matteo is going to marry off his sister to Massimo Bonetti. I guess they were dancing last night? Everyone is taking that as a sign.”

My anger bursts, and dark-blue ink splatters everywhere.

Leo’s and Dante’s eyes go straight to the broken pen I’m still gripping in my hand. “They arenotfucking getting married.”

“Well, we obviously know that,” Leo says. “But think about what a great alliance the DiMaggios and Bonettis would make. You might want to work a little faster on Isabella because if Matteo starts pushing his sister onto Massimo, shit’s about to get a lot more difficult for you.”

“Alright, alright,” Dante says, interjecting. “Let’s not give the man an aneurysm. He looks like he’s about to lose his damn mind.”

I’m about past that point.

“Look,” Leo says, “we all know you and Isabella will end up together. I’m just saying unless you want some competition, I’d suggest working a little faster.”

“Duly. Fucking. Noted, Leo,” I say, not able to mask my irritation. My anger isn’t with him, it’s at the thought ofmyIsabella with another man. I can’t fucking stand it. Leo’s right. I need to move faster.

20

NICCOLÒ

Ihaven’t spoken to Isabella since the gala, and I’m not sure what to do next. I need to move faster, but I also want to give her time to come to me, even though I know she won’t. Not after what I did to her. At this point, I’m just wasting fucking time.

“Have you made any progress with the DiMaggio girl?” my dad asks while I sit across from him in his office.

“My plan is in motion.”

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