Chapter Thirty-Five
ORAZIO
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An awkward silence filled the car as it moved through the streets of Biloxi. Orazio stared out the window, lost in his thoughts. He was so consumed with his preparations to win Monique back that he didn't notice the tension in the car until his gaze met Leo's in the rear-view mirror.
Leo mouthed, "Talk to her."
Talk to Isla? For what?
Orazio mouthed back, "Fuck that!"
Leo mouthed something Raz couldn't make out. Ignoring his guard, Orazio faced the window and continued to gaze at the passing scenery. He was pretty sure he'd have to do some groveling if he wanted his Rosa to return to him.
He was up for the challenge. When she returned to his side, would things go back to the way they used to be, or would they be different? He suspected they'd be different. He'd done something he'd said he wouldn't do.
He'd hurt her. It would take some time to earn back her respect and trust. He was willing to put in the work and jump through any hoops she ordered him to. Suddenly, Leo swerved the car slightly, causing Orazio's attention to snap back to the rearview mirror.
Leo's eyes met his in the mirror again, and Leo mouthed, "Talk to her," with a hint of exasperation.
This motherfucker wasn’t going to let this go. What the hell did he expect Raz to say to her? Then again, maybe Leo was on the right track. Raz wanted to keep things as cordial as possible with her father. Perhaps that was why Leo was pushing him to be social.
Orazio inhaled deeply and released his breath slowly before turning to face Isla. Her eyes were already on him; her expression was curious and composed. Before he could speak, Isla broke the silence.
"Why did you ask me to be your date to such an important event, Mr. Cattaneo?"
Her bluntness almost left him speechless.
He recovered quickly and replied, "Because I needed a date and asked my guard to select someone appropriate. He selected you."
Leo cleared his throat loudly. Orazio ignored him.
"Well, aren't you the straightforward type," Isla muttered.
"I am."
"Hmmm... I guess I should thank your guard," Isla responded, not at all offended by his curt response.
"Why did you agree to the date?" Orazio countered.
"I'm single, beautiful, rich and powerful. So, of course, the board members of my company are pressuring me to marry. A married woman is a more stable woman in their eyes, which is why I wish I could kill them all," she sneered.
Orazio chuckled despite himself. "Why won't you do just that?" I did.
"Getting married to someone who won't interfere in my life seems like a better option and involves less jail time," Isla replied, causing him to chuckle again. "The sound of your laughter is nice," she complimented him.
That immediately caused Raz to stop laughing. Was laughing with another woman considered cheating? It had to be. He couldn't picture his Rosa laughing with another man. Guilt immediately washed over him.
"You went cold the moment I said that. It seems you're not used to receiving compliments," Isla observed. "Or is it my compliments that make you uncomfortable?"
"Actually, Isla, we're not that different," Raz told her. "I'm also in a position where marriage would bring more stability to my organization."
"It seems we may be perfect for each other," she uttered.
"We'd both benefit from a contract marriage. A marriage on paper only. That's if I wasn't already in love with someone."
"Love? What's that?"
Orazio cocked his head to the side to glare at her.
"Calm down," she said, smiling. "I'm kidding. Kind of. I take it the woman you love is someone your family doesn't approve of."
"When it comes to her, I don't give a damn who approves and who doesn't."
"Why aren't you with her then?" Isla asked.
"I'm... a threat to her. She almost died because she loves me," Orazio explained.
"Ohhhh," Isla drawled. "So, to keep her safe, you left her. Aren't you quite the gentleman?"
No , Raz thought to himself. A gentleman wouldn't have approached her in the first place, not if he lived the life Orazio lived. Raz wasn't a gentleman. But his Rosa knew that. She'd accepted him the way he was. He was a fucking fool for letting her go.
"I would offer you advice," Isla continued. "But my advice would interfere with my business plans. So, sorry. All I can say is that I'm glad she's no longer in your life."
This bitc... Raz prayed for patience. I don't kill women, he told himself as he looked away from Isla to stare out the window again, done with this conversation.
"Did my words upset you?" Isla asked.
If you were a man, I would've already slammed your head through the fucking window.
"Not at all," Raz gritted through clenched teeth. "I like that you're honest and forthright."
"I like that you're honest also," Isla told him. "Let's be brutally honest for a second. A man like you needs a woman who can protect herself, not a damsel in distress."
Raz's gaze snapped to Isla. "I never said she was a damsel in distress. She's a survivor in more ways than one."
"If that were the case, you'd be with her instead of leaving her to protect her."
Raz gritted his teeth, attempting to control his anger. Isla smiled, not realizing how close to death she was.
"Have I overstepped my bounds?" she asked.
"Do you care?" Raz countered.
"Of course. I care about everything that pertains to Orazio Cattaneo. So does my father."
Orazio took that as the warning it was.
"After my speech tonight," Orazio started. "You and your father should meet me in the library. There are some misunderstandings we need to clear up."
"My father and I have no misunderstandings, Orazio Cattaneo."
"I believe you've both misunderstood me," Raz clarified.
"Did we? About what?"
"We'll discuss it later."
"Yes, let's do that. That'll give you time to rethink whatever it is you want to discuss."
Raz took a deep breath. Isla's smile widened.
"I'd feared marriage would be a bore. I no longer feel that way. A life with you would never get boring," Isla drawled.
"A life with me isn't in the cards for you. Unless you mean as business partners."
Isla's smile faded. "You're right. We should talk to my father tonight. Afterward, we can begin planning the wedding. I'm busy with work, so I want to get the wedding planning and conversations over with as soon as possible."
"Pull over," Raz called to Leo. He needed this motherfucker out of his car right this fucking minute.
"We're here!" Leo yelled.
Orazio stared out the window. Damn . They were at the gala.
Isla chuckled. "Don Cattaneo, were you about to put me out of your car? My father wouldn't have approved of that."
Orazio faced the woman beside him. "There's one thing you should understand about me, Isla Miconi. I don't give a damn about your father or his money. I respect him, but I don't fear him. Yes, I want him to invest in my family's corporation. But with or without his investment, I'll get shit done."
"So, you don't need us?" she asked, frowning.
"I only need my family and my Rose. Now, get out of the car. I'm ready to get this shit over with."
As Raz reached for his door handle, Isla shocked him by saying, "I think you're perfect for me, Mr. Cattaneo. You and I are so alike. I see why one of my board members suggested I attend this gala to meet you."
"What?" Raz asked, looking over his shoulder. "Who wanted you to attend?"
"We can talk about her while we're on the dance floor, Don Cattaneo."
Her? Raz released the door handle. "Who the fuck wanted you to be here with me? Tell me now or..."
"We're here," Leo spoke up loudly.
"Give me a minute," Raz growled before speaking to Isla again. "Is there someone behind you and your father wanting to partner up with me?"
"We can chat about it over drinks, Don Cattaneo," Isla purred, making his stomach churn.
"Do you think you'll survive long enough to have a fucking drink?" Raz practically snarled, mind-racing, trying to figure out if he was being set up somehow.
"I understand your anger. But trust me..." Isla started.
"I have no reason to trust you or your father."
"You do. And we'll prove it to you. But let's make it through tonight first."
"We need to go inside, now!" Leo called out.
Fuck! "You and I have a lot to discuss," Raz told her. "I don't condone killing women, but I'm always willing to make an exception if needed. Are we clear?"
Her answer was a smile. He was so tired of being in her fucking presence.
Leo's voice broke through the tension in the car. "Mr. Cattaneo, for security reasons, we're not going through the front. We'll be using a side entrance that no one else, not even staff, is permitted to use tonight. Our men will guard this door all night."
Raz nodded, but his mind was still on Isla's words. His glare remained on her. Her eyes didn't stray from his. Who the fuck had sent her his way? Damn it! His crazy ass had stepped right into their plot by inviting her to be his date.
What the hell was Isla and Frederico Miconi up to? And which one of these motherfuckers would he end up killing first?