Page 64 of Betraying the Mafia Boss

I have a good number of them. I want to take care of my Nana without worrying about Elio or money. I want to hold my child and… if things work out, I want to see where my relationship with Vincent leads me.

I have so many things to hold onto that I can’t give up. My eyes tingle with tears, but I don’t cry. I won’t.

All of this will pass and I’ll be happy again, I tell myself.

“She’s right.” Dominic looks me in the eye and for the first time, I feel some warmth looking at him. “You’re family now, and we’ll take care of you. Let me know if there’s anything you need and I’ll take care of it.”

I nod, a smile playing on my lips. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, it’s my responsibility.” He continues eating his food as if he’d not just said the most reassuring words to me.

“We’ll find your Nana,” Marcus tells me. “And we’ll bring her back to you alive, no matter what it takes. It’s a promise.”

He may not be able to keep that promise, still, I feel more at peace knowing the Romano brothers don’t hate me as much as I was afraid they did. It takes a load of weight off my chest knowing that at least they would try to save my Nana and bring her back to me.

Maybe everything is not so bad after all and I’d just been scared over nothing. Feeling more at ease, I dig into my food.

I return to my bedroom after breakfast to my phone buzzing on the nightstand and Naomi’s number flashing on my screen. I quickly swipe to answer before it stops.

“Girl, where the hell did you keep your phone?” she yells over the phone as I answer. “I was worried sick about you.”

Had she called a lot of times before I came in? “I’m sorry. I was downstairs having breakfast. I only just returned to the room to see your call.”

“It’s fine.” I can hear her panting and I imagine she’s holding a hand over her chest. “I was just worried, that’s all. I would have driven down there if I didn’t hear from you.”

I smile. “You don’t even know where I am.”

“Right. I wouldn’t have stopped until I found you though.” She heaves a sigh. “I almost had a heart attack.”

“Sorry, babe.” I sit on the edge of the bed. “How are you doing?”

“I’m depressed. I miss you so much and I’m only holding on because I have Oreo with me.” She pauses and sighs again. “How are you doing? I imagine it’s not that easy living with people you don’t know.”

“It wasn’t easy at first, but they’re really nice and I’m getting used to living with them.”

“Even with Dominic Romano and Marcus Romano?” I detect a tinge of surprise in her voice.

“Yes. Their wives are very nice people, too. They’re not as terrible as I thought they would be after you told me about them.”

“Girl, it’s been a couple of days. Don’t you dare replace me with someone else.” I imagine she rolls her eyes and purses her lips. “I’m the only best friend you’re allowed to have for the rest of your life.”

A chuckle escapes my lips. “And here I was thinking we’d be best friends in our next lives, too.”

“That depends on your performance in this life,” she teases. “Stay safe. Give me a niece. Make lots of money so you can buy me all the designer bags I want and I’ll consider.”

“You’re crazy,” I say playfully.

“I know. That’s why you love me.” There’s a brief silence over the phone. “Are you sure you’re okay, Isa? Tell me if there’s something wrong.”

I flatten my palm on my forehead as I contemplate whether to tell her or not. “I think Vincent was initiated into the mafia last night.”

“How do you know?”

“He snuck out of bed at almost midnight and I overhead him talking with his brothers before they left the house. Also, he wore a black suit. Vincent never wears black suits.”

“Have you tried talking to him?”

“I don’t have the courage to bring it up.”

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