Page 128 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride
I have to believe that Marco would want me to deal with this business first. I can deal with Isabella later.
"I have to go. Business emergency."
"But the notebook?—"
"Will be here when I get back." I move toward the door, then stop. "You stay put. Don't leave the apartment. Don't make any calls. We'll go through this together when I return."
She nods, but something in her expression unsettles me. Is it disappointment? Or calculation?
"Isabella." I step closer, my voice dropping. "I want to trust you. I'm trying to. But if you're playing some angle here…"
"I'm not. I promise, Roman."
Her fingers are warm against mine, and for a moment, I allow myself to believe her. But as I pull away, doubt creeps back in. This woman has lied before. She's worked with the Feds before.
"I'll be back as soon as I can," I say, already mentally shifting to the crisis at the docks.
As I stride down the hallway, I stop briefly at Angelica's room, watching her play with Mrs. Rossi.
My daughter, innocent, trusting, the only pure thing in my life.
I'd burn the world down to keep her safe.
And Isabella?
The woman who's somehow worked her way under my skin despite every reason to keep her at arm's length?
What would I do to protect her?
I suppose the better question is would I stand up to Marco, to La Corona to protect her?
The answer terrifies me because I think I would.
Does that mean I’m in love?
Or have I been duped by a smart, conniving woman?
24
ISABELLA
I sit at my sewing table, staring at the fabric I've been working with, but my hands remain still.
The conversation with Roman replays in my mind like a broken record.
The disappointment in his eyes guts me. At the same time, how quickly he questioned me hurts and angers me.
Trust. He doesn’t trust me.
I push away from the table and pace the bedroom. What did he expect me to do? Cause a scene in public with Angelica there?
He’d told me work had been difficult lately. I believe the word he used was “shitshow.”
I didn’t need to interrupt him about something we could deal with when he got home.
I handled it the best way I could, and still, Roman looked at me like I'd betrayed him all over again.
I glance at the clock. Roman has been gone for hours now, dealing with whatever emergency called him back to work.
