Page 92 of Isabella

Silence fills the air between us before Isabella says, “So, just to confirm, you won’t tell Teo, right?”

Enzo runs a hand over his face before letting out a long sigh. “No, but listen,” he says, pointing his finger at his sister, “I’m not going to tell him only becauseyouneed to. You need to be honest with him.”

“I know I do, and I will. I fully planned on doing so, I just needed to have some time with Nicco before doing all of that. You know… figure out exactly what we’re doing and where we stand with each other.”

Enzo glances between the two of us and says, “Yeah, well, I think you both know where the other one stands. The question now is, what’re you going to do about it?”

Isabella and I exchange a look. “Honestly, I don’t have a plan,” she says to Enzo. “I thought I would have more time to figure out what I will do, but now that I have not only Lux keeping a secret from Teo but you too, I just… I don’t know, but I know I’m running out of time, so I promise I’ll have a plan soon.”

53

NICCOLÒ

Ihad to leave Isabella to collect the money my dad’s expecting from Castello. The fact I’m having to pick it up is fucking ridiculous. This isn’t even my job. We have a bagman for shit like this.

“Why are we having to do this again?” Leo asks as we walk into the sub shop that’s really a front Castello uses to funnel money through.

“I don’t fucking know,” I mumble. I’m in a shit mood because instead of being with my girl, I’m stuck doing minuscule work for my dad.

Usually, I’d take this as an opportunity to turn another one of my dad’s capos, but there’s something about Alessandro Castello. He’s young, around my age, but not mature enough to take over for his dad. The dude is slimy, and I don’t fucking trust him. He’s not a threat and will be replaced as soon as I take over if he doesn’t fall in line.

“Let’s just get in and out of here quickly. I have more important things to do tonight.” Like figuring out my plan to publicly stake my claim on Isabella. I won’t continue keeping our relationship a secret, especially now that Enzo knows.

We walk through the deserted shop, straight past the highschool-age looking kid who averts his gaze from Leo and me, to the back where I know Alessandro’s office is. Without knocking, I swing the door open and walk in, regretting my hasty decision as I take in the scene before me.

Alessandro’s sitting on his black leather sofa against the far wall with his pants around his ankle and a brunette kneeling in front of him with his dick in her mouth.

“What thefuck,” Alessandro yells at our intrusion, clearly not realizing who the fuck walked in on him.

Once Alessandro focuses on me, his eyes widen and he pulls the girl off him.

She has a sultry look on her face as she wipes her smudged lipstick off the sides of her mouth.

“Niccolò,” he says, jumping to his feet and pulling up his pants. “What’re you doing here?” he asks, which surprises me.

“I’m here to collect.”

“Lenny’s not coming today?” he asks.

I fucking wish our bagman was the one who had to witness this shit instead of me.

“Not today, Alessandro. Just get me the money so I can carry on with my lovely fucking night,” I say, nodding to the safe I know he has hidden behind the knock-off Mona Lisa painting hanging on the wall.

“Oh, uh, right. Yes.”

The discombobulation is making me question if he knew my dad was sending me over.

The brunette is sitting on the couch, staring at me with a grin on her face that reeks of desperation while Alessandro fumbles with typing in the code to his safe.

“You need help over there?” Leo asks, but the tone in his voice is patronizing.

Alessandro jumps at his voice, which is telling of the situation.

What the hell is going on here?

I bring my attention back to the brunette and nod at the door behind me. “Why don’t you take a step out front. Go get yourself a sandwich,” I suggest.

Her eyes widen before she gives me a small nod and scurries away.

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