Page 74 of Isabella

My dad tilts his head at me as if he’s studying me. “And what is the point, Niccolò?” he asks with a steady breath.

He’s acting calm and rational, but I know better. There’s only one right answer to this question, and if I give him the wrong one, it’ll be all downhill from here. My plan will have been for no reason and he’ll handle this situation the way he sees fit.

“She’s opening up to me, which means she’s getting comfortable with me.”

My dad sits back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, and nods for me to sit. “Go on,” he says.

“Shetrustsme. The way I’m going to win Isabella over is to see her the way no one else does. She knows what her role is in this world, but if she’s given the smallest piece of hope that she can do more with her life than just be what she was bred to be, then that’ll push her toward me even more.”

My dad sits across from me with a blank expression on his face.

“And that’s what we want. We want her to sing my praises to that brother of hers.”

My dad lets out a scoff. “That DiMaggio is such a damn fool. How could anyone allow a female to hold such power over themselves. It’s clear she has him wrapped around that little finger of hers. Fucking pathetic.”

“His weakness will prove to be our strength. Isabella is already falling for me. I just need a bit more time to drive the nail into the coffin. She might have her brother wrapped around her finger, but when I’m through with her, she’ll be wrapped around mine.”

My dad gives me a few slow nods before saying, “Good. This is just the update I needed at this time.”

At this time.

“Why, what’s up?” I ask.

Leaning forward so his arms now rest on the table, he says, “I’m heading to Miami tomorrow to meet with Manuel Velasco.”

Just the news I’ve been hoping for.

“This update should hold him over until you seal the damn deal. Just keep doing what you’re doing. It sounds like it’s working the way we need it to, but try and speed it up a bit. The sooner we get this done, the better.”

“Got it. When do you leave?”

“Tonight. I’ll be taking the jet down there.”

“Anything you need from me?”

“Not right now. Just keep working on that girl. If you have a new update that could help settle the waters with the Velascos, let me know immediately.”

“Will do. Anything else?”

“No, you can leave,” he says, putting his glasses back on and diverting his attention back to his computer screen.

With that, I leave his office and can’t help the smile that pulls at the corners of my lips as I close his door, knowing I’m about to have the best days I’ve had since being back in the city. Because with my dad out of town, I’ll finally be able to finish what I started.

46

ISABELLA

“You have no idea how much I needed this,” Liana says, the exhaustion prominent in her voice while Lux, she, and I get seated at our table in the restaurant. “Getting this bridal line prepared has proven to be a lot more than I anticipated.”

“You deserve a night off. I know it’s been a lot, especially with the boutique and all of the customs you’re doing,” I say.

“Not to mention the men’s line I’m trying to work in for next fall,” she mutters.

I let out a sad laugh, because holy hell, I don’t know how Liana is surviving at this point. It’s no wonder she hasn’t been around much.

“Is there anything I can help you with, Liana?” Lux asks. “I’m obviously not a fashionista like the two of you,” she says, looking down at the black sweater and jeans she’s wearing, “but I’ve worked in the customer service industry my entire life. I can help out at the boutique like Izzy or something.”

“Lux, your outfit is cute as fuck. Do not put yourself down like that,” I reprimand.

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