Page 27 of Wild Heart
“What is it?”
“You’re going to have to face him sometime, Prez. You can’t just keep her here without him ever knowing.”
He says it gently, and I know he’s right.
But I need more time. One more day to tie her to me for good.
“Don’t let Isabella find out how upset her father is. We’ll give her one more day of freedom.”
“Then what? You gonna hand her back?”
There’s no way I’m handing Isabella over to her father. I need to tie her to me, but not by keeping her prisoner. It has to be her choice.
I have one more day. One more day to convince her she’s mine.
“Not a chance.”
Arlo shakes his head at me, but he’s wearing a grin. “Love, Prez. It’ll change your life.”
We eat chicken salad and creamy chocolate cake on stools in the kitchen. I have some club business to do in the afternoon, and Isabella hangs out in my office. She’s full of questions about the club, her natural curiosity and good business sense shining through. She even puts forward suggestions on how to expand our reach for distribution.
I listen to her, impressed. She’s picked up a lot about business from her father. I wonder if he’s planning on handing over the business to her one day. I hear mafia families are very traditional, but without a son, maybe that’s what Isabella has been groomed for.
The thought makes me shudder. We run a legitimate business here, and I hate the thought of her doing anything else.
But when I ask, she laughs off the idea.
“You think I want to work with a bunch of old-fashioned Italian men? No way.”
She looks offended that I’d even ask.
“Then what do you want to do, Isabella?”
She looks down, the first time I’ve ever seen her shy. I sit up in my chair, intrigued. “What’s got my fiery princess tongue-tied?”
“It’s stupid for the twenty-first century. I should want more.”
I take her hand across the desk. “What is it? What does Isabella Berone, the Mafia princess want to do with her life?”
She takes a deep breath and looks up at me. “I want lots of babies.”
It’s not the answer I was expecting, and for a moment I just stare at her while my loins go into overdrive. I’ll give her babies; I’ll give her a whole damn house full.
“My mother only ever had me. She loved kids, and I want to be the kind of mother she was. I want a house full of children, and I’ll be the best mother I can. That’s all I’ve even wanted.”
She looks down again, embarrassed, but she doesn’t realize how her confession has stirred me. I’ve already got a grown-up daughter. I thought that was enough. But with this woman, I suddenly see a future.
“I’ll give you a baby.” She laughs until she sees my expression.
“You’re serious?”
I come around the other side of the desk and take her hands. “Come upstairs, and I’ll show you how serious I am.”
She pushes me away, laughing. “I’m a good Catholic girl, Raiden. I won’t have sex until I’m married.”
My eyes narrow. “You’re telling me you’re a virgin.” It’s what I hoped, but I long to hear her say it.
Her cheeks flush pink, and I love making my princess embarrassed.
