Page 24 of Betraying the Mafia Boss

Her frown quickly changes into a smile and she jumps up and down. “Better. Now let’s dress you, shall we?’

We both freeze when the doorbell rings.

“Do you think that’s him?” Naomi asks, gaping at me.

I glance at the iWatch strapped on my wrist. “We have half an hour before seven.” Vincent is the type of man to be on time, but I doubt he’d arrive thirty minutes before the agreed time.

“Keep searching. I’ll get the door.” She leaves the room and I continue rummaging through a pile of useless clothes. My eyes prickles with tears as my exasperation grows.

Why can’t I find anything decent to wear?

I wipe my tears when I hear Naomi approach. She enters the room, holding a shopping bag and smiling from ear to ear. “What’s that?”

She sets the bag on my vanity table. “What else? Obviously clothes.” She picks out a card from somewhere in the shopping bag. “I think this is from Vincent,” she coos.

Scurrying over to her, I snatch the note from her and squeeze it in my palms. “Why did you read that?”

Naomi folds her arms and squints at me. “Is there something in there I shouldn’t know about? You’re overreacting.”

I tuck my hair behind my ear. She’s right, I’m overreacting, it’s not like she doesn’t already know there’s something going on between Vincent and me, but I’m paranoid to be honest.

On one hand, I’m afraid Elio’s watching me and on the other, I’m afraid of Vincent finding out the truth. I’m losing my mind. “I’m sorry.” I open the note, but there are just two words written on it. “Wear it.”

Naomi shakes her head. “He’s so unromantic.”

“Tell me about it.” A smile dances on my lips. “Let’s see what’s in the bag.”

Naomi gasps when we pull out a golden cowl neck dinner gown from the bag. It doesn’t have a price tag on it, but I know it costs more than I’ve made in my lifetime. “A man who buys an expensive dinner dress for his lady? He’s the epitome of romance,” she states dramatically.

“What happened to him not being romantic?” I ask, my face heating up. I wasn’t expecting Vincent to go all out for our date like this, and I’m fucking grateful.

“I changed my mind.” Naomi digs in the two boxes at the bottom of the bag, revealing a pair of golden Louis Vuitton heels and a gold purse. “Girl, I swear that man went all out for you.”

He did, even I can’t deny it. I don’t care about the price tag, my heart swells with happiness at how much effort he has put in. “Naomi, I have to look my best tonight.”

Minutes later, I’m wearing the dress and shoes Vincent sent to me. Naomi helped with my makeup and hair too. I smile at the mirror, loving the reflection staring back at me. I can’t afford to do anything for Vincent right now, but I can at least look my best.

“Isa, you’re beautiful.” Naomi grabs one of the makeup brushes and dramatically kneels on one leg in front of me. “Will you marry me? Forget Vincent and all his money. I’ll be good to you.”

A laugh breaks from me, reverberating through the room. “Why would I choose you over a rich man?”

“Because it’s the heart that matters,” she replies, mimicking a male country accent.

“No, I won’t marry you. Now get up and tell me how I look, he’ll be here soon.” I take the makeup brush from her and place it in the container where I keep my makeup brushes, then I make a cute face. “How do I look?”

“Breathtaking.” Naomi stands, leaning over and cleaning something off my face. “I doubt he’ll be able to take his eyes off you tonight. I can’t believe my best friend’s going on a date tonight.”

“Neither can I.” I fill the designer purse with lipstick, dollar bills and pepper spray. I always carry my pepper spray around. My Nana insisted I took it everywhere I went when I was a teenager, then it became a habit as I grew older.

My phone buzzes and I look at it.

Vincent: I’m downstairs.

My stomach slips. “He’s here.”

“Have fun tonight, bestie. Call me if anything happens or you need help.” Naomi wraps her arms around me, hugging me tight. I hug her back. When she breaks away, she says, “I snuck a condom in your purse, just in case.”

“I’m not going to—” She covers my mouth, pushing me toward the door. “Have fun!” she yells and slams the door in my face.

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