Page 41 of Demon's Speak

“Seriously?” Giuseppe asked, trying to keep emotion from being reflected.

“That’s the intel we received,” Luciano continued.

“Thank you, especially if I learn your intel is true.”

By the time Giuseppe disconnected the line, his mind was already racing about the next step in his engagement plan. He intended to engage her no matter what it took because her willing or unwilling participation was pivotal to his plan.

Massimo returned home. During the ride, his heartbeat didn’t slow down. He had exerted himself physically, but his mind was still not resting. Massimo would not settle until Isotta was back. He had waited as long as he could to find out.

“I need to speak to Isotta.”

Massimo intended to forego formalities and hear what it was she had to say. She had been summoned. Isotta begrudgingly answered the phone.

“Massimo,” she uttered.

“Are you ready to come home?” Massimo tried to keep the edge from his voice, the edge he felt deep and low on the inside.

Massimo considered repeating himself when she didn’t immediately respond to his inquiry, but he thought against it. He would give her time to answer. She’d pay for his patience later. Isotta felt the moments moving faster than she could have anticipated. Still, she didn’t have a sufficient response for him. Making excuses would be inexcusable, but she had to come up with something. Her sister would be home tomorrow. Isotta had to see Valentina. She just had to see her.

“Uhm,” Isotta thoughtfully hummed as she thought to articulate her intentions in such a way that would be acceptable to him.

“You are my wife. I expect my wife to be ready to come home,” Massimo uttered before she had a chance to formulate an excuse for why honoring his request was at odds with her plans.

“My sister is returning home tomorrow,” Isotta began. “I have to see her.”

“Have to?” Massimo quizzed. He felt anger start to rise in his loins.

“Yes, I have to,” Isotta replied, no longer being mindful of her place. “She has been gone since before we married,” she continued. “I must see my sister to make sure she is okay.”

Massimo understood. He had a sibling, too, whom he would quickly lay down his life for if he was called upon to do it, so Massimo understood Isotta’s thought process. But he was not quick to convey his understanding.

He was too quiet for too long for Isotta.

“Did you hear me, Massimo? I need to see my sister. That’s all I’m asking you for is the chance to see her, please.”

Massimo heard some insistence in her tone that he could not readily dismiss. The audacity of Isotta to speak to him in that way. She was disrespectful, and he did not appreciate it. Massimo would make her ass pay for that.

I will grant you that chance,” Massimo finally replied. “But don’t take my kindness for weakness. I expect you to come home within a day of you seeing her. Do I make myself clear?”

Isotta was offended by the permission Massimo extended to her. Permission. She wasn’t his employee, his property, or his servant. Isotta was his wife. She felt like she’d long since abandoned the traditional ideals her parents had tried to instill in her before she wed. There had been so many things that happened that pulled her away from tradition. Isotta had a voice, and she wasn’t afraid to use it. She’d made that clear to her grandmother. Now, if she must, she would make her voice heard by Massimo.

“You are clear,” Isotta stated flatly, unfeelingly.

Isotta found it difficult to rest and get settled. After the exchange with her grandmother and after the call with her husband, Isotta struggled to settle emotionally. She tried. Isotta desperately tried to find emotionally level ground, but finding balance was difficult to secure. Isotta was pissed. There was no denying that she was pissed to the highest level of pissivity. And nothing Isotta tried, nothing she did seemed to rectify her emotional levels.

Celestina dared to look in on her daughter to see if she needed to talk. Celestina wanted to connect with Isotta, especially before Valentina returned. Celestina already anticipated trouble when her eldest daughter came back. She’d like to be on even footing with Isotta. Celestina watched her daughter for a moment from the doorway without saying anything to her. She was trepidatious, remembering how their earlier conversation went and not wanting that same energy to repeat itself.

“Mm-mmm,” Celestina cleared her throat, trying to draw Isotta’s attention without drawing her ire.

She heard Celestina but wasn’t quick to respond. Celestina cleared her throat again. Her intentions were obvious. Isotta would have loved to ignore her, but she found herself becoming irritated the more her mother hung around.

“Yes, mother,” Isotta commented without giving her mother her full attention.

“I just wanted to check in on you and see if you needed anything,” Celestina offered.

“I am fine,” Isotta replied.

“Would you like to talk for a moment, dear?” I’m here if you need me,” Celestina posited.

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