Page 34 of Betraying the Mafia Boss

“What do you plan to do now?” Naomi asks. I can see her look at me from the corner of my eye, her face is marred with concern. “You’re not planning to do what Elio said are you?”

“I don’t have a choice.” It’s either Vincent or my Nana. I’m not sure I’ll survive it if anything happens to my her. She is too old and frail for all of this. She’s living with the enemy, but she doesn’t even know that and I feel so sorry for her that she has to go through all of this.

Naomi places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “You have a choice, Isa. You always have.”

“What choice do I have?” Tears cascade down my face and my stomach twists into a painful knot. “Allow him to kill my Nana? Call the cops on him?”

“No. I heard the Romano’s are on his trail. He killed their parents and has been in hiding for a year now.” She chews on her lower lip. “Maybe Vincent can help you if you come clean.”

She doesn’t get it. She just doesn’t get how risky it is to betray Elio. Perhaps Vincent can help me, but my Nana will be nothing more than a corpse by the time the Romano’s even find out where Elio’s hiding. “No one can help me, but I can help my Nana.”

“Isa…”

I raise a hand to stop her before she can try to convince me any more than she’s already tried. “Please, just let me do this. You know I can’t live without my grandma. She’s all I have.”

Naomi reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “You have me, Isa. I swear I won’t leave your side, I’d rather die than abandon you.”

“Thank you.”

“So, how are you going to get Vincent to Elio?” she asks. “You said he was onto you, don’t you think he’ll find out soon?”

“I need to get close to his family and I can’t let him suspect a thing.” I think for a moment. “I can make him believe I’m accepting his help.”

“Girl, have you considered the fact that betraying Vincent is not a good option either?” My best friend wraps her hands around her coffee cup. “His brothers won’t take it easy on you if he gets hurt. Vincent might like you and he might be unwilling to hurt you, but I can’t say the same for his brothers.”

I nod. “I know.”

She lifts a brow. “And you’re still willing to do it?”

Naomi's eyes search mine, filled with concern and disbelief. I can sense the worry radiating from her, but I can't let it sway me. The room is stifling, the weight of my decisions pressing down on me, yet I know I must do what I have to.

For myself, and for my Nana.

“Yes,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “I have to do this, Naomi. It's the only way to ensure my Nana's safety. Vincent may be a good guy, but Elio… he’s a monster. I can't risk my Nana's life on the possibility that Vincent might be able to help me.”

Naomi shakes her head, frustration evident in her eyes. “Isabella, you're gambling with your own well-being. What if Vincent finds out? What if his brothers decide to take revenge? This is a dangerous game, and I don't want to see you get hurt.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady the storm of emotions inside me. “I’ve told you already, I know the risks. I know what I'm getting into. But I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to my Nana. I won't let her pay for my brother's mistakes.”

“You shouldn’t pay for your brother’s mistakes either,” she retorts. “You’re still young. You still have your whole life ahead of you.”

“My whole life will be filled with guilt and regret if I don’t try to save the only family I have left.”

The silence between us is heavy, each second ticking away as we grapple with the harsh reality of the choices before me. I can see the worry etched across Naomi's face, the internal struggle mirrored in her eyes.

“Isa,” Naomi finally speaks, her tone soft yet desperate. “There has to be another way. We can figure something out, expose Elio without putting yourself in such danger. You don't have to do this alone.”

I meet her gaze and for a moment, the sadness in her brown eyes make me waver. I can’t waver, not now. Not with everything that’s at risk. “Naomi, I appreciate your concern. I truly do. But I can't take the chance. I can't gamble my Nana's life on uncertainties and maybes. Elio is ruthless, and I need a guarantee that my Nana will be safe. This is the only way.”

Naomi looks away, frustration etched on her face. “Promise me you'll be careful, Isa. Promise me you won't do anything reckless.”

“I promise,” I respond, though I know I can’t keep my promise. I’m desperate and I’ll do everything it takes. Literally anything to bring my Nana back home.

We both silently sip our coffee. “What’s plan A?” Naomi asks.

“I need to take a few days off from the hospital.”

Her head snaps in my direction. “What do you intend to do in those few days?”

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