Chapter 6 #2
But I believed fate had brought us together.
Isla’s rejections had been sweet and honest, but they hadn’t stopped me from pursuing her. Not even our age difference had given me pause. In fact, the chase had been the most thrilling of my life.
Isla had been a breath of fresh air in my dark, dank criminal world, for someone so young, just barely twenty.
Everything about her had called to my soul: her warm honey-colored eyes, her sweet scent, and her calming voice. There wasn’t a brash or conceited bone in her body. She’d been the most down-to-earth and caring person unlike the women I usually encountered.
Isla had been everything I never knew I needed.
But our relationship wasn’t ever easy. School kept Isla busy in California, while I worked and lived in Canada at my family’s estate.
The tabloids hadn’t done me any favors either, posting images of me with models and social media influencers every fucking week.
Isla had been tested numerous times and from every angle. For being so young, she’d impressed me considerably.
However, the biggest issue had always been with me.
Before Isla, drinking and women had helped me forget the past and to rise as next in line to take over when my father retired.
After Isla entered my life, I didn’t need to drink myself stupid or have random hookups. Isla had saved me from the destructive path I’d been on.
No matter what she had believed, she was enough, more than enough, but I’d fucked up.
I hadn’t been blind or deaf to Isla’s insecurities, just an asshole ignoring her feelings while women flirted with me in front of her. Bold, snotty bitches who basically pushed Isla aside and spat in her face, and I let them.
Yes, I could’ve stopped them, but I was a public figure and the most sought-after billionaire in the world. Causing a scene wouldn’t have been good for my reputation.
Cocky much, Ciro? Assolutamente.
Still, I could’ve made more of an effort to show we were in a committed relationship, instead of leaving her to fend off the cunning women on her own.
Hindsight was always fucking twenty-twenty. By not protecting Isla and making her my number one priority, I’d destroyed our relationship and caused my current state of misery.
A firm knock at the door made me recoil and jerked me out of my reverie. Before I could respond, Roman barged into my office.
“What’s this I hear about you going to San Francisco? Millie said you don’t have a return date. What’s going on?”
“Isla,” I told him honestly.
My brother dropped into the leather chair in front of my desk, his mouth gaping. “Isla? She called? When?” The instant concern on his face showed how much he cared about her. When I wasn’t paying attention, Isla had woven herself into my family and their hearts.
“No. I found her.”
“Are you saying you went looking for her?” He eyed me, a slight curl to the corner of his lips. He was such a jerk. Of all people, he knew I didn’t chase anyone, but I had gone after Isla from the start. He probably had a bet with Luca that I’d crumble before Isla would.
“She wasn’t hard to find. I found her profile on one of those employment sites. She’s working at a bistro,” I said with a scoff. It was like she’d hoped I’d find her.
“A bistro? What happened to interior design?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged, holding his gaze.
“So, just on a whim you looked her up, and now you want to see her?”
“Not exactly.”
My brother hiked a curious brow but didn’t say a word, so I would continue.
“I’ve been having heart palpations and I’m not sleeping well. Something keeps waking me up in the middle of the night. And I’m having nightmares about Isla. She’s all I can think about.”
Roman crossed his leg over his knee, tilting his chin as he considered me. “Maybe it’s just your subconscious messing with you. Don’t go. Just leave her alone.”
“I knew you’d say that.” I reclined in my chair. “I’m not going to invade her life. I just want to see that she’s okay.”
“I’m sure she’s fine.” Roman put his leg down and leaned forward, setting his elbows on his thighs. “I don’t want you to get hurt. None of us do. Reconsider going. She might have a new man in her life.”
“So?”
“So, I’m worried what you might do. What if she’s married?”
“What do you think I’ll do, brother?” I seethed at the thought of Isla being legally bound to another man. If I ripped his head off his neck, Isla would be a widow. End of problem.
Cazzo! I hated the very idea of another man in her bed… and touching her body.
“Look. You’re doing better. I’m willing to bet Isla is too.”
“Working in a bistro is doing better?” I sneered at him and his stupid logic. This conversation was going nowhere, and I was done stating my case.
“We don’t know why she gave up interior design. Maybe she discovered she loved—”
“What? Being a waitress? Dishwasher? Earning minimum wage and lousy tips? Never.” I didn’t know why I was still talking to my idiot brother.
“She could be a cook. I mean… a chef.”
“And that’s so much better?” I rocked in my seat and forced myself to calm down. It did me no good to lose my cool with Roman. In fact, it would probably make him believe I’d lost my mind.
“You know how much she loved to prepare fancy meals for you. It’s possible she changed careers. People do it all the time.”
“Enough, Roman.” I stood from my desk, collecting my laptop and sliding it into my Italian leather briefcase. “Call if you need me.” I started toward the door.
“What about Rosa?”
I stopped hard a few feet away from my exit. The jerk knew our sister was the next most important person in my life, after Isla. He also knew she could make me do almost anything.
“If she knew you were going to see Isla, it would only give her hope.”
I turned to face him. “I don’t plan to tell her, and I suggest you don’t either.” And with that, I left.
My flight was in two hours, and I needed to go home to pack a bag. If I ended up staying longer than a couple of days, I would buy whatever I needed in San Francisco.
Roman called out to me, again. But I ignored him and entered the elevator and texted Paulo to bring the car around.
Nothing and no one would keep me from Isla. Roman should have known he couldn’t stop me.
San Francisco. I still couldn’t believe she had moved to the Bay Area. While I was there, I could set up a meeting with Remo and Fabio Ferrari. It’d been a while since we last spoke, and with Isla in their city, it would be good to see the brothers. In case I needed a favor.
I didn’t appreciate Roman bringing up another man. Putting a bullet in someone’s skull or ruining them wasn’t beneath me. I would do whatever necessary to get what I wanted and had the billions to destroy anyone.
But I wouldn’t get ahead of myself. All I cared about was Isla’s wellbeing. If she was safe and happy, and wanted nothing to do with me, I’d leave her alone.
Unless seeing her made all the feelings, I’d tried to bury, rush back. All bets would be off then.
The elevator dinged and I exited the metal box.
San Francisco, here I come…