14. Isabella
fourteen
Isabella
Last night, I was an emotional mess. I haven’t had a panic attack in years. And it happened in front of Salvatore. I didn’t think my fears would come to the surface, but they did, from the second I saw my father on that screen.
When he spoke, I couldn’t hear what he said. I only heard that gunshot. The pulling of the trigger, my cries, and the gunshot are buried deep in my memories.
This time, I didn’t get pulled into the darkness. Not because I wasn’t afraid anymore. It was because of his touch.
Because of Salvatore’s firm grip on my hands, his soothing voice, and the promise he made.
Since the day I became Isabel Roberts, I have never relied on a man for protection. I didn’t want it. I always made sure to be aware of my surroundings and the people around me. To know them, I learned how to read them.
I knew my father would never find me here. No one knew me. People barely knew who I was back home.
The Anti-Mafia Organization provided me with what I needed to come here, and that’s how Isabel Roberts was born. They advised me to change my first name too, but I couldn’t. It was the only thing that was left of my mother. She gave me my name.
She called me Bella too. No one called me that for years until Salvatore did. His rough, low, masculine voice calling me Bella calms me. It pulls me back to safety, my heart skipping a beat. Being in his arms felt good, almost right, leaving me with an overthinking brain and my emotions all over the place.
Now, he is nowhere to be found.
After I strangely slept well, I woke up for the first time in maybe eight years and didn’t know what my schedule was.
We didn’t discuss our accommodations for after the marriage, nor how this marriage is going to work. But one thing I’m sure of is that I’m going to work.
Just as I’m about to leave the suite, the doors open and the man himself enters, leaving me with my mouth open and eyes wide.
I look him up and down, from his sneakers up his legs to the shorts he is wearing over his muscular thighs, up to his hips, where I can clearly see the outline of his groin. The V at his abs, then up to his muscular chest that has almost no hair. His broad, tattooed chest and arms are a work of art. When my eyes find his smirking face and the glint in his blue eyes, I realize I’m in big trouble.
“Close that mouth, Bella. It doesn’t suit you,” he says with humor in his voice.
I bite my lip. “I wasn’t expecting that,” I say, trying to hide my reaction to him with sarcasm.
He tilts his head to the side and raises one eyebrow. “What did you expect?”
Certainly not what is in front of me. How will I erase this image out of my mind now? “I don’t know. Didn’t think about it.” Lies .
He laughs, shaking his head. “Sure you didn’t. Breakfast will be here soon. I need to shower, and there are a few things we need to discuss.”
I watch him enter the bathroom before I sit and wait. I’m starving because I didn’t eat much yesterday. Mostly because I was nervous. Maybe because I don’t know what the future holds or because of Salvatore himself. What to expect from him, from our marriage, and from myself. Our arrangement is going to end. And when it does, I will do everything I can to keep the promise I made to my mama.
I just hope this marriage will end without my heart and soul getting shattered.
I was so distracted that I didn’t even notice Salvatore in all his handsome glory in his three-piece gray suit exiting the room.
My room.
He walks past me and goes straight to the door, opening it wide as an attendant strolls in with our breakfast. I wait by the window for him to place the food on the table.
A hint of curiosity hits me when I see him smile and say something to Salvatore, to which he gives am a genuine smile and a pat on the shoulder. I wonder what that’s about. Then I remember Salvatore works in hospitality and it’s part of his job to be nice to people. Otherwise, this hotel wouldn’t be successful, which makes me wonder how the big bad mafia don can be attentive by day and a criminal by night.
“You plan on standing there and watching me, or do you want to eat?” he asks with amusement in his eyes.
I roll my eyes and move toward the dining table where breakfast is. “Did you just dress in my room?” I blurt out.
He eyes me for a second as I take a seat at his side. “It’s our room.”
“Come again?”
“You heard me. And let’s make some ground rules here.” He leans forward. “First, as I said, I will not touch you unless you ask for it.” I swallow, remembering very well how he promised me he would only touch me when I beg him, and he’s sure I will. Not that I can promise myself otherwise. “Second, I can’t afford people talking behind my back. Third, you are my wife. Isn’t that what married people do?”
I raise my chin. “Normal people. But we…”
“This is not a negotiation, Bella.” His eyes hold mine when he speaks. “You lost that right yesterday when you signed your name and became my wife.” He closes his eyes, exhaling. When he opens them, they are dark with lust. “And I don’t think I need to tell you how much I want you. How badly I want your body under mine. But I made you a promise, and I can’t wait for the day when you beg me to fuck you, and it will come. You will surrender to me. And when you do, I will do everything I’ve imagined since the day I touched your skin in my office.”
By the time he finishes his speech, I can only concentrate on the beating of my heart and a warmth that rises from my chest and neck to my face.
I open my mouth to say something, however, I knew from the beginning that I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. After all, I did agree to marry him. I guess I can be thankful I’m not getting raped like some women.
Not wanting to get into this discussion, I change the subject. One day I will need to confess to myself that I do like him and how his words make me feel, not to mention his touch. Even if it ends before I can wrap my head around it. But today is not that day.
I avert my eyes from him. “You said we need to discuss things.”
“What do you want? Some pastries, eggs, fruit maybe?” he asks, ignoring me. Suspecting he won’t start until I eat, I take some Danish pastries. “First, we have a dinner we need to attend tonight. Someone will bring you a few dresses to choose from.”
I raise my brow. “I have dresses, and I can buy one myself. No need to send anyone.”
“Your dresses are not here. I would prefer if just this time you choose from the dresses they bring you.”
I take a sip of my coffee, contemplating his request. “Fine. Do I get a personal shopper?”
“Well, something like that. Felicity mostly works with our clients. If you need anything, she can organize it for you.”
I nod. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a business dinner. It was difficult to find an appropriate investor to go into a partnership together. So, this is an important night. Normally, I would take the head of my finance department, but since I have a wife now, I’d better take you. Maybe that will leave a good impression and improve my image.”
“You know what they say. Behind every successful husband is a successful wife.” I smirk
He laughs. “Yeah, well, I hope that saying is true, even if we have only been married for less than twenty-four hours.” He shakes his head. “I will send someone to get the rest of your things. We will stay here for now. If you need something, you call this number and ask for it.” He passes me a card with a number on it. “You need food, drink, whatever you do the same and it will be here as soon as possible.” I stare at the card, confused. Before I can say anything, he passes me another black credit card, this time with my name on it. Isabella Catalano. Just reading the name does something to me, not that I will need to use it. I have my own money and don’t need his. But my eyes linger on the first card with the phone number on, and I glance at him.
“We will be staying here? Living in a hotel?”
“Yes, for now. It’s the most convenient. I work here mostly. I have this floor to myself, and only a few people have access.”
“You don’t have a mansion with dozens of bodyguards?”
He laughs and drinks his coffee. “I have a mansion, but I’m not living there. It belonged to my father, but I feel more comfortable here.”
“It feels too clinical for me, but whatever.” I take a bite of my Danish and moan; it is so delicious. It doesn’t escape me how Salvatore’s gaze cuts toward my mouth and down my neck as I swallow, and I do my best to ignore it.
“I will assign you a bodyguard that will be with you the whole time.” Before I can argue, he shoots me a warning look. “You should know that as my wife, you are in danger from my enemies, and that may be your ex or even your father. No one else would dare to touch me or what’s mine.”
“Why wouldn’t they?” I question. I need to uncover pieces of the puzzle that are his life.
“I’m a businessman. The days when we were just criminals are gone. Everything is a business deal these days. I always have something to offer to my opponent in exchange for what I need or want.” He narrows his eyes at me. “And don’t forget, you are not Isabel Roberts anymore. You are Isabella Catalano now; the daughter of Domenico Ruggeri is back.”
I can’t argue with that, so I roll my shoulders back. “Fine, but can they do that discreetly, at least at the office? There are cameras and security all over the place.”
“After I check the place, we can discuss it.” He takes a sip of his coffee, his dark eyes regarding me. “I need to ask you something.”
“What?”
His eyes spark with interest, but I’m not sure that’s a good thing. “You mentioned last night something about working undercover in Chicago. Care to explain more?”
Shit, I totally forgot my rambling last night. I chew slowly before swallowing. “I did, and what I did was amazing, don’t you think?” Sarcasm drips out of my mouth.
My plan to collect evidence and reveal all the secrets of dirty and corrupt law enforcement started with De Angelo. The old man tried to buy property that he couldn’t have. And a middle-aged lady wanted justice, only to be harassed by the police. No one believed her, so she sought a lawyer. She was Cece’s client, and when I heard her story, I dug into it and found out who De Angelo is.
“Amazing. Except the son of a man you put behind bars is out there looking for the person behind it.”
I shrug. “He will never find me. Only my boss and I knew what I was working on. And Cece, but they would never say a word.”
He exhales. “I worked with them, and that little stunt cost me millions.”
“Why? What were you buying from them?”
He stands, towering over me. “Nothing that concerns you. Tell me, is that what you had planned for me?”
I look at him like a deer in the headlights. “Well, not you personally. It was never confirmed who the La Cosa Nostra don is. I overheard things from Camorra, and when I went to investigate, I couldn’t find anything. So, when Ethan needed a date to your fundraiser, I used that chance to look around and you caught me.”
He chuckles. “I did, and you have no idea what you got yourself into.” He leans down, his breath brushing my face. His aftershave overwhelms me, making me want to bury my head in his neck. “I’m going to eat you alive, Bella.” I swallow as his low, raspy voice fills my ears. He smirks at my stilled reaction to his threat before turning around to leave. Over his shoulder, he throws, “I need to take care of some things. We are leaving at seven.”
I stay seated for a long time after he’s gone, contemplating what the hell I’ve got myself into.