Page 67 of Isabella

Liana and I got close when Isabella and I started dating. I used to kind of see her as a little sister. The way we used to go back and forth with each other like this really showcased that part of our relationship. This is the first time in years we’ve fallen back into the playful role with one another. It feels like I’m starting to get the life I used to have back.

“You’re infuriating,” she says, narrowing her gaze on me.

“I’m sure Isabella will tell you as soon as I tell her.”

“Obviously, which is why you should just tell me now.”

Before I can slide another word into this argument, the office door opens and Isabella’s beautiful face pops in. “Okay, Gianni’s handled.” She glances at me before darting her gaze back to her cousin’s. “We should be okay for a bit.”

“Great,” Liana says, clasping her hands together. “Now that you’re back, I guess I’ll just go and continue playing with some fabric.” She walks up to Isabella and gives her forearm a light squeeze before whispering, “Make that boy talk, and then fill me in on everything later.”As if I can’t hear her.

Isabella gives her a small nod before turning her attention back to me.

“So,” she says, gesturing to the couch, “should we sit?”

We each take a seat on the soft ivory cushions, angling our bodies so we’re facing each other.

“You wanted to finish the conversation we were having earlier…”

“I did… I do,” I correct. “Look, Isabella, I know what my dad did to you and your family is unforgivable. He deserves everything that he has coming to him.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“What I mean is, while I was in Sicily, I came up with a plan for when I’d be back. It’s the only way I knew you and I could be together, and it’s finally coming to a head.”

41

ISABELLA

The way Nicco speaks about this plan of his almost has me thinking it’s fool-proof, and I haven’t even heard it yet.

“So what’s this plan?” I ask.

“Me, Leo, and Dante have been slowly acquiring the trust and support of my dad’s capos.”

My jaw drops as my mind races with its imagination as to what Nicco’s saying. “Wait, you’re not going to?—”

Nicco nods. “Yes. My plan is to get all of my dad’s capos on my side so I can overthrow him and take over the family.”

A nervous ache erupts in my stomach at what Nicco’s saying. He’s planning on undermining his dad? And he thinks there will bezerorepercussions for this?

“Nicco, I don’t know if this is such a good idea.” My nerves are getting the best of me, causing me to fidget.

“My dad has proven not only to me but to his own men that he’s not capable of leading this family. The takeover would be simple, based solely on the fact that he’s not a competent leader.”

“I’m going to need you to break this down some more for me. I’ve never heard of this happening before.”

“It doesn’t happen often, but while I was in Sicily, this exact same thing was going on with a family over there. The don of the Vona family had proven to be unfit for the position. He was making illogical decisions that were costing them money and putting them in a vulnerable position against other families, so his underboss overthrew him.”

Overthrew him.

“Ever since I’ve been back in the city, I’ve been working on opening the eyes of my dad’s capos to really see how he’s been running the family. He’s always been selfish and lazy, constantly looking for the easy way of doing things, and that’s finally caught up to him. Pair that with the fact that everyone knows he’s made an enemy of your brother, now the family is beginning to worry. My dad is doing everything wrong. The only reason he’s led the family this far is because of Angelo Mancini.”

I internally wince at the sound of that psychopath’s name.

“And everyone has started to pick up on that, especially without having a plan after losing access to the port,” he adds. “I approached nearly all of them, explaining, in detail, the plan I have for transportation, and it’s giving them the hope that losing the port took away from them. When it comes down to it, this is a business. We are running a business. Loyalty is important, but my dad’s lack of concern for the family’s business affairs is what’s throwing him under the bus.”

I let out a sigh. “This is extremely risky.”

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