Page 34 of Isabella

“I guess it’s to be expected that you’d delete it.”

“Blocked it too.”

My mouth falls open to speak, but before I can get the words out, Isabella holds her hand up to me and continues. “Look, Niccolò, I don’t have time for this, okay? The only reason I’m over here is because what you’re doing is incredibly unprofessional. You don’t come into Liana’s business and cause a scene, stomping your feet like a child because you didn’t get your way.”

I try to speak again, but she barrels right through. “I don’t want to talk to you, and I don’t want to see you. I just want you to leave me the hell alone,” she whisper-shouts.

“Isabella, I’ve given you space, and time to come to me. I understand you’re upset, but Ineedto talk to you.”

“No, I don’tneedto do anything, but what Ido needis for you to leave me the hell alone.”

I shake my head. “That’s not going to happen, and if you want to stop going around in circles, then you’ll listen to what I have to say.”

Letting out an exasperated sigh, she closes her eyes and tilts her head up to the ceiling, baring that long slender neck of hers. A neck that looks soft enough to kiss. I used to love the feel of her skin underneath my lips. My dick twitches at the memories.

Bringing her head forward, she opens her eyes, resting them on mine, and the vulnerability behind them rips my breath away, nearly suffocating me. I just need her to understand, but she looks so damn… broken. How the hell could I have done this to her?

“I’m telling you, I don’t want to hear your excuses. You could have the world’s best reason for what you did to me, but I’m so done, Niccolò. Why do you continue to have this same damn argument with me?” She sounds defeated. So fucking defeated. And I’m the one who did this to her.

“Because at least when you’re arguing with me you’re speaking to me. I’d do anything at this point not to endure your silent treatment. I’ll take whatever I can get from you, Isabella. Even if it is your anger.”

I want to take her into my arms, hold her, and never let go. I should’ve never been a slave to my dad back then. Fuck, I still am a damn slave, but not for long.

“You need to leave,” Isabella says. “Please. When I’m ready to talk, I’ll reach out to you, but that’s not right now and especially not here.”

I was hoping the past week would be enough time for her to process me being back and wanting to speak with her about our past, but maybe I’m being selfish. I know I shattered her fucking heart, but can’t she see that’s what she’s doing to me now?

What am I supposed to do? Talking to her now won’t do any good if she’s shut off to what I have to say.

Fuck.

I let out a sigh, knowing this conversation won’t happen today, but it doesn’t keep me from whispering, “Everything that happened isn’t as it seems,” and as if I’m acting on instinct, I wrap my arms around her waist, which takes her by surprise, and she tenses in my embrace. But when she doesn’t push me away, I pull her to me and hold onto her as if I’m fighting to hold onto something that was taken away from us three years ago. She doesn’t hug me back, but I’ll take the fact that she’s not pushing me away as a win.

Lowering my mouth so it’s just above her ear, I whisper, “Please give me a chance, Isabella, because I’m never giving up on you.”

21

ISABELLA

When Nicco exits the boutique with Leo and Dante, I finally feel like I can breathe again. Exhaling a long breath, I watch as he peers in through the large window and gives me a smile while he walks to his bike.

I quickly avert my gaze to the floor, kicking around imaginary dust, with my arms wrapped around my body, using myself as a security blanket.

I suddenly feel vulnerable.

Confused.

The stinging sensation behind my eyes surfaces no matter how hard I try to blink it away.

Having Nicco’s arms wrapped around me was comforting, but I also hated it. I hated that it brought me back to a time when we were happy. I hated the small voice in my head that told meHey, you want this. Because I don’t want it. I don’t want to hear anything he has to say about that dreadful night.

But also, I do.

“Are you okay?” Lux asks as Liana and she walk up to me, a slight hint of caution in her tone, and when I bring my gaze up to theirs, that caution heightens as concern washes over their faces.

Without another word, Lux places her hand on my back while Liana says, “Follow me, we’ll go to my office.” Lux puts pressure on my back, leading me to follow Liana to the back of the store.

“Here, sit down,” Liana says, gesturing to the couch on the opposite side of her workspace which consists of a large glass table and mannequins with different garments draped on them.

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