Page 46 of Betraying the Mafia Boss

Isabella

I don’t know what I expected when I told Vincent I care about him, but it’s not the dreadful laughter that is now reverberating through the living room.

He doesn’t believe me and I really don’t blame him. He’s within his rights to hate me and even choose not to see me again. I betrayed him, and that will be small compared to the price I’ll have to pay.

“You should go home, Isabella,” he says, the quietness in his voice sending a rush of shivers down my spine. I’d honestly prefer it if he yelled at me, got mad and punched the wall.

But he’s not doing any of that. The only clue he is angry is that loud, deranged laugh. A pang of guilt slices through me like a sharp sword.

“Vincent, we’re not done talking.” I don’t want to be alone tonight. I don’t want to be away from him. I feel like I’ll really lose him if I leave. “We can’t end it all like this.”

“Go home, Isabella.” He drawls this time, his eyes red and his blue eyes stone-cold as they fix on me. “I need time to think and process all of this.”

I get to my feet and reluctantly shuffle to the door, when I open it, I glance at him one last time, taking him in, just in case this is the last time I see him.

Naomi is still in my apartment when I return. She sits up the moment I walk in, her face etched with concern.

Oreo runs to me, wagging her white tail and rasping with excitement. I get down on one knee, rubbing her head and forcing a smile. It’s the most I can do since I really can’t share in her excitement right now.

I trudge to the couch where Naomi’s sitting and slouch on it. I’m exhausted. Oreo climbs on the couch and settles on my lap, the TV catching her attention.

“I’ll get you a glass of water,” Naomi offers.

“Thank you,” I mutter. My thoughts turn to Vincent when she leaves. At this point, I’d rather much have Elio walk in here and shoot me. Dying would be a lot more bearable than the pain I’m in right now.

Vincent probably hates me and his brothers will hate me even more. It doesn’t matter that I’m pregnant, they’ll never accept me or the baby.

Or maybe they’ll want the baby and not me.

My eyes roam the living room until they land on the portrait of me and my Nana on the floating TV stand. God, I miss her so much. I miss her smile.

What do I do, Nana?

I was supposed to take care of her, but I can’t even do that right. I don’t deserve anything. Not Nana, not Vincent, and not the child I’m carrying. If I survive this, then maybe I’ll be better off giving the baby to Vincent and moving far away from New York.

My thoughts have sucked me in and I don’t realize Naomi return to the living room until she’s holding out a glass of water to me.

“Easy with the thinking,” she says. “You’re pregnant. It’s not good for the baby if you’re under a lot of stress.”

I take the water from her, wrapping my palms around the cold glass to help me relax. “What do I do, Naomi?”

She sits next to me. “How did it go with Vincent? Was he very angry?”

“He didn’t show it much, but he definitely was.” Oreo raises her neck, her tongue darting from her mouth and aiming for the glass. I raise it from her reach. “I can’t tell what he’s going to do now.”

“If he has any common sense then he’ll help you out.” She pushes a strand of curly hair from her face. “You’re pregnant with his child. And let’s be honest, none of this is your fault. Anyone would have done the same thing you did.”

“I betrayed him.”

“You stopped yourself from betraying him,” she corrects me. “You didn’t betray him. You chose him over your Nana.”

“I doubt he thinks so.” I take a sip of the water, relishing the iciness as it slides down my throat. “Now I’m torn between the devil and the deep blue sea. Elio will kill my Nana if he finds out about this. I need Vincent’s help and he’s mad at me.”

“Did you discuss your Nana with him?”

“I told him about her. Whether he’ll help or not, I couldn’t say.”

Naomi heaves a sigh. “This is messed up, Isa. We have to do something.”

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