Page 10 of Betraying the Mafia Boss

Chapter Four

Isabella

It’s seven p.m. when I arrive at the venue for the charity event in the hall of one of the biggest hotels in Manhattan.

I’m surprised when I walk in and find the hall filled with hundreds of people. We’d done a good job promoting the event on social media and sharing fliers to anyone who cared to take them.

Plus, there’s an election soon and the politicians are hiding behind events like this one to get votes. I don’t care what their motives are, all I care about is that we raise enough money for the patients who can’t afford their medical expenses.

Holding the cream faux fur jacket I’m wearing, I look around for Naomi. She told me she was almost here when we spoke on phone fifteen minutes ago. I don’t see her anywhere.

I get a prickling sensation on my scalp, as if someone is watching me. I know it’s not Elio. There’s no way he’ll risk being seen in a place like this since he appears to be very reclusive. Unless of course he sent someone to watch me.

I grip my jacket even more tightly, my heart pounding hard in my chest. The prickling sensation doesn’t leave me so I assume whoever is watching me still has their eyes on me.

God, I need a drink or two.

“Isa.”

I flinch from the sudden yelling of my name. I recognize Naomi’s voice, but I’m quite shaken because of the adrenaline coursing through my body. I’m breathing hard and my stomach won’t stop churning. I think I’m going to be sick.

Flipping my head in the direction of Naomi’s voice, I’m able to force a smile. She was excited about this event and I don’t want to ruin it for her by having her worry about me instead.

“Wow. You look gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” I’m wearing a black dress with sleeves and a cream fake fur jacket. My black purse and heels are from Zara. I’m broke so I can’t afford designer, but I sure have a good fashion sense. “You don’t look too bad either.”

Naomi spins around for me to get the full view of her dress. One thing with Naomi, she always makes sure to look her best wherever she’s going. Unlike me who spends most of my income taking care of my Nana and paying off student loans, Naomi splurges her money on good clothes and shoes.

“Thank you.”

The hospital’s director steps on the podium and welcomes everyone. He shares why this event is important and how much we’re aiming to make from this event.

I grab two glasses of white wine from a tray and pass one of them to Naomi. “You think we’ll be able to beat our goal this time?” We’re looking to make at least two hundred thousand dollars from the charity event.

She sips from her wine. “I think we’ll do it. Look around, these wealthy people are probably here to compete with each other on who will donate more money.”

“You’re right.” I really hope they do. I don’t mind setting up a contest for them if that will move them to donate more money. I bet most of them could donate a thousand dollars each without it even denting their bank accounts. “I hope we make more.”

One of the head nurses’ steps on the podium next and begins the auctioning of old medical equipment. Some of it belongs to the founder of the hospital.

I raise my glass to my lips and take a sip of my wine when Naomi asks, “Have you seen Mr. Romano anywhere?”

The wine seems to hit my windpipe because I choke. Placing my glass on the table behind me, I hit my chest, covering my mouth as I cough. My eyes water and I’m trying not to call attention to myself. Everyone’s quietly listening to the head nurse, it’ll be embarrassing if I make any noise right now.

Naomi scrunches her face. She’s looking at me like I’m a six-horned alien with huge eyes and green skin. “What’s with that reaction?”

I clear my throat. It stills feels slightly irritated. “What reaction?”

“That reaction.” Naomi narrows her eyes on me suspiciously, then she purses her lips, her eyes crinkling with mischief. “Is there something going on between you two that I don’t know about?”

I snort and shrug. “Don’t be silly, Naomi. We barely know each other. How in the world could anything be going on between us?”

Unless I’m trying to lure him right into his enemy’s territory and feel horrible for it. It’s been days since the call with Elio, yet I haven’t brought myself to make a decision.

I care about my Nana more than I care for anyone else, but Vincent is a good man—at least the side of him I know. He’s kind and the world spins to a stop around me whenever he smiles.

How could I possibly hurt him? How could I be the reason he dies when I became a nurse to save lives?

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