Page 49 of Betraying the Mafia Boss

“It’s not your place to decide whether I help or forgive her, Naomi.” I remind myself to keep my anger in check. I know Naomi helped her keep those secrets, but she’s Isabella’s friend. I can’t hurt her. I don’t hurt innocent people. I consider women and children too frail for me to even yell at.

She nods. “I know. I’m just saying. Isabella cares about you very much. You’re all she has, Vincent.”

I can feel some of my anger melting away. “She has you.”

“I can’t protect her from Elio or even save her grandma. That’s why I came to you.” She peers at me. “I know you care about her too. You won’t forgive yourself if she ever gets hurt.”

“Don’t worry, I was never going to turn my back on her.” The elevator opens and I step inside. The last thing I see is Naomi’s tear-filled eyes, the plea in them so obvious, I can’t miss it. I make my way to the parking garage, climb onto one of my motorbikes and am speeding into the road within minutes. I like how quiet the roads are at this time of night. I make quick progress and reach Marcus’ house in no time.

I meet my brothers in Marcus’s study when I arrive. Jane, Marcus’s wife, is here as well. She’s the only one of my two sisters-in-law who actively participates in mafia business and that’s only because of her detective skills.

She’s smart, witty and can protect herself.

She’s an artist now and from what I’ve heard, my brothers use her gallery to launder money. I don’t like the thought or idea of it, but there’s no right and wrong when it comes to the mafia.

I console myself with the fact that the Cosa Nostra don’t hurt women and children. At least they have a limit.

“Look who we have here,” Dominic drawls when I walk in. He’s sitting on Marcus’s swivel chair and Marcus is sitting on a sofa across his desk, legs crossed and elbows resting on his thighs. “If it isn’t the cunt-whipped idiot.”

I roll my eyes. I need his help so I stop myself from telling him to fuck off. Sitting next to Marcus, I clear my throat, I flash a quick grin at Jane who’s sitting at his other side. “I need your help, brothers.”

“What the hell for?” Marcus asks, whipping his head in my direction. I don’t like the murderous look in his eyes. “You let her deceive you.”

“She didn’t have much of a choice,” I argue. “It’s Elio we’re talking about here. He could’ve killed her if she refused.”

“So what?” Dominic plops his hands on the desk, steepling his fingers in front of him. “I send out my men to protect her. Is that it?”

Shame blankets me like a wet, winter night. But they’re my brothers and there’s no one else I can ask for help. “Help me save her Nana.”

Dominic’s sardonic chuckle makes my nostrils flare. “Help you? On what grounds? You’re not even a made man.”

“I’m your brother.”

“Well, as your brother,” he says, “I’ll advise you to handle your own shit. You may be my brother, but so are the men who’ve sworn their lives to me. I can’t ask them to risk their lives for someone who looks at them with disgust.”

I must’ve forgotten how much of a smart bastard Dominic is. He’s been trying to get me to join the Cosa Nostra since I turned fourteen. Despite considering it recently, I’ve been hesitant. He must see this as an opportunity to have me where he wants me.

I don’t mind. I’ll take a ride in hell for Isabella and our unborn child if I have to. “Fine.”

Marcus’s brows shoot up. “What?”

I ignore my second brother, pinning my gaze on Dominic. “I’ll join the Cosa Nostra if that is what it will take to save her. I don’t give a fuck what I have to do. I’m ready.”

“Interesting,” my oldest brother purrs. “I’ve been trying to convince you to join the Cosa Nostra for years and you refused, but you don’t mind now because a woman is involved?”

A lump forms in my throat. I swallow hard and it hurts. “She’s pregnant.”

Both my brothers’ eyes widen.

“She’s pregnant,” I repeat. “She’s carrying my child.”

Silence fills the air.

“Where is she?” Jane asks, breaking the silence and speaking for the first time since I entered the room. “Is she okay?”

I’ve been holding my breath and I didn’t realize it until now. Her question fills me with hope and I know if there’s anyone who can help me, it’s her. “She’s at her place. I asked her to leave mine because I needed time to think.”

“Does she have any idea where Elio could be hiding?” she asks. “She could lead us to him, but first, we need to be certain we keep her safe.”

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