Page 26 of Betraying the Mafia Boss

He leans forward. “Did you Google me?”

I chew my bottom lip. “Just a little.”

“What did you find?” He lifts a brow. “I’m certain there’s a lot about me and my brothers on the internet.”

“Trust me, there is. But I don’t want what is on the internet, I want to know more about you.” Not because Elio asked me to find out all I can about him since he’s the weakest link the Romano’s have, but because I’m genuinely interested in knowing him more.

Maybe I shouldn’t be, because the closer we are, the more painful it will be when he discovers all of this is fake.

He runs his fingers over the button of his suit. “What do you want to know?”

“I saw that your family, you know…” I trail off.

“Runs illegal businesses? Runs the Italian mafia?” he suggests, both correct.

“Yes.” I breathe. “Are you part of the business and the mafia?”

“Would it change anything if I was?” He tilts his head, his smile slipping away. “Will you think of me as a monster if you find out I’m just like my brothers?”

“No,” I croak. It’s me reaching for his hand this time. “Listen, Vincent. I’m not perfect. Sometimes we don’t have a choice and we do everything we must for our loved ones.”

“So, you’re telling me you’d understand if I was those things?” he asks.

“I would.” Now I’m wondering if he would understand if he found out the truth about my connection with Elio. Just like me, he would put his family first. “And if I’m ever in that position, do you think you could understand me?”

Why are you getting so emotional, Isabella?

I need to remind myself we’re nothing special to each other. Just because we had mind-blowing sex once and are having dinner together, doesn’t mean there can be more between us.

Vincent stares at me intently. “Is there something you want to tell me?”

My hands are growing clammy so I withdraw them from his before he notices. I force a smile, trying my best to ignore the way my heart keeps slamming against my ribcage. “No, there’s nothing I’d like to tell you. I’m just turning the question around.”

He narrows his eyes. It’s obvious he doesn’t believe me, but I’m grateful when he doesn’t push the topic. “Let’s drop the serious conversation and just have fun, okay?” He raises his glass. “To a fun evening, and our first date.”

I clink my glass against his, smiling. “To the most unexpected and wonderful evening. And our first date, of course.” Though I’m afraid it’s going to be our last.

Our main course arrives, and conversation flows seamlessly. Vincent's presence is comforting, and his genuine interest in my thoughts and experiences makes the evening feel like a shared exploration of each other's worlds.

After our main course, we discuss the children at the pediatric ward over dessert. I never stop looking at Vincent. I take in the way his blue eyes crinkle when he smiles, how genuinely happy he sounds when he talks about the kids in the hospital and how much they matter to him.

Elio told me he was an alcoholic and a womanizer, but the man sitting in front of me is nothing like that. He’s a good person. Maybe if we’d met under different circumstances, things would be different between us.

We finish our dessert and Vincent pays the bill.

He takes my hand to lead me into the night, the city lights sparkling like distant stars. The car ride back to my apartment is filled with a comfortable silence. For the first time in a while, I’m genuinely happy.

“Did you enjoy our date? Would you like to try it again?” Vincent asks, navigating the car into a lonely street. The white monstrosity of my apartment building looms in the distance.

I want to have many more dates like this, but staying away from Vincent is the most I can do for him. No, it’s the only thing I can do for him. A voice at the back of my head is telling me to confide in him, but I don’t want to drag him into my messy life.

Elio will find out who’s side I’m on sooner or later and I may have to pay for it with my own life or by losing the only family I have left but thinking of those kids in the hospital who wait for him every morning and Vincent’s warm smile, I can’t bring myself to do anything that’ll hurt him.

But my Nana’s life will be at risk if I don’t, and mine too. It’s one or the other, there’s no in between.

“I’ll be busy for a while, but I’ll let you know when my schedule frees up.” That’s a blatant lie. We’ll never have that romantic date ever again, and I’ll never sit so close to him, trying to decide whether to kiss him or not.

I decide not to kiss him, climbing from the car and walking to the front porch of my building. He follows me.

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