Page 44 of Betraying the Mafia Boss

When I get home, I pull my suit jacket off and throw it on one of the couches before I slouch on it, rolling my head on the headrest and closing my eyes to think. If Isabella is indebted to Elio, then maybe I can use her to find him. But I’ll need her permission to do that, and I’ll need to be certain I won’t put her in harm’s way by doing it.

My eyes open when I hear someone trying to unlock the door. I shoot to my feet, push the couch over and reach for my gun under it. My brothers taught me to hide weapons in every part of the house the second I grew old enough to live on my own, and I always made sure the guns were loaded. Who knows when I’ll be a target to my family’s rivals?

The weakest link to the Romano family, Dante called me. He was wrong though. Just because I don’t do what the others do, doesn’t mean I can’t protect myself.

Cocking the gun, I tiptoe to the foyer, hiding behind a wall and positioning my finger in front of the trigger. Just in case I really need to shoot.

Seconds later, the door opens and a feminine figure walks in. Isabella? I quickly hide my gun behind my back and step out from the wall.

Isabella jerks back and lets out a small scream. When her eyes meet with mine, she bends forward and clutches her chest, panting. “Do you make a hobby out of scaring people?”

I walk to her, holding her up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was you.” I take in the denims and shirt she’s wearing. It’s the first time I’ve seen her hair held up in a messy bun and her eyes are puffy, as if she’s been crying. “Are you okay?”

“Hmm.” She nods. “May I come in?”

“Of course.” I make way for her and follow her as she walks to the living room. “Would you like something to drink? Coffee, perhaps? I have whiskey if that’s what you’d prefer.”

She blinks up at me and it’s hard to miss the sadness clouding her eyes. “I can’t drink.”

I plop down on the couch next to her. “Why? Because of work?”

She’s oddly quiet for a moment, the air between us crackling with tension. “No. I just can’t drink, Vincent.”

I twist my body to face her, then I take her hands in mine. They’re so small and cold as I rub them. “You know you can tell me if there’s something wrong. I’ll be more than happy to help you out.”

“You can’t help me out of this.” She heaves a sigh. “No one can help me out of this.”

A knot forms in my stomach. Although she’s not saying what, I know something’s really wrong. Isabella is always either bubbly or talking back, but she’s different tonight. She’s cold and withdrawn, sad too. “Tell me what the problem is.”

I don’t care if I need to kill someone. If anyone hurt her, then they won’t live to see the light of day tomorrow. I’ve never thought this way before, but I would gladly take a trip to hell and back for this woman.

“Vincent…” She mutters my name like it’s heavy, her eyes closing. After she takes a deep breath, her eyes open, those golden-brown globes boring into mine. “I’m pregnant.”

Ice coats my skin and my blood curdles. “You’re what?”

“I’m pregnant,” she repeats. “I found out this afternoon and I have no freaking idea what I should do.”

I bow my head, stealing a moment to organize my thoughts. We’ve had sex so I know it’s not impossible for her to be pregnant, but…I’ve never thought of becoming a father. Scratch that, I’ve never even thought of settling down or committing to a woman before.

But it’s Isabella, I can’t turn her away. I certainly have to take responsibility because I know this is even harder on her. “What do you intend to do? I’ll support your decision no matter what it is.”

She rubs her palms together. “I’m keeping the baby.”

“I’m really going to be a father?” It feels like a dream. It’s hard to believe this is happening. I’m grappling between wanting this to be real and wishing it wasn’t. With Elio still lurking around and the Camorra seizing whatever chance they can to attack, it’s a really wrong time to have a baby.

Still, I told her I’d support whatever decision she makes and I meant it. I have to keep them safe, both Isabella and the baby.

“I know you’re not ready for this,” she says desperately. “I only told you because you’re the father and you deserve to know. It’s okay if you don’t want to be part of this child’s life. I can raise the baby—”

“You’ll do no such thing.” I cut her off, anger brimming that she would even assume I’d abandon her and our unborn child. “We made this baby together and I won’t let you raise it alone.”

Isabella’s eyes widen in surprise, her lips parting as if she hadn't expected my reaction. Her vulnerability pierces through me, and I realize just how much she must be struggling with this news herself.

“Vincent, I don’t want to drag you into this,” she insists, her voice wavering. “I know how dangerous your life is, and I won’t blame you if you don’t want to be a part of this.”

I reach out and gently cup her face, my thumb brushing away a stray tear. “Isabella, I may not have been ready for this, but I’m not going anywhere,” I assure her, my voice firm and resolute. “We’ll figure this out together, I promise.”

She searches my eyes, uncertainty flickering in her gaze. “But what about your family, your brothers? They won’t accept—”

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