Page 40 of His to Hold

“I made a mistake.” If Antonio wanted me here, he’d have brought me with him last night. Barging in like this won’t win me any favors. If there’s one thing I know about my husband, it’s that he doesn’t like to be taken by surprise. “Take me back to Westport.”

Paul frowns. “Are you sure?”

Am I? Before I have the chance to think things through, the decision is made for me.

“Isabella?”

I glance up as Dante Parisi approaches the car. One of Antonio’s closest friends, he’s dressed in black pants, white shirt open at the neck, and black vest. His dark hair is damp as if he recently took a shower. Probably washing blood off, if I know Dante. He doesn’t look as if he’s had much rest.

“Dante.” I hope I sound suitably composed as I address him. “Any news of Gio?”

He shrugs. “I’ve only just got here.”

“You haven’t spoken to Antonio yet?”

Dante shakes his head. “I’ve been dealing with…” He pauses, weighing up his response. “Stuff.”

“Stuff?”

He smiles grimly. I guess he’s been out cracking skulls, trying to find the person responsible for hurting Gio.

“The other Mrs. Volante, for example.” He straightens his cuffs. “Newlyweds seem to have a habit of causing trouble around here.”

I swallow hard. Is he talking about Alessandro’s wife or Leo’s? They’re both relatively new to the family.

“Which Mrs. Volante?” I ask.

“Leo’s blushing bride. Had to detain her after the shooting, what with her being a Bianchi.”

My blood runs cold. “What did you do to her?”

“None of the things I wanted to. Leo will have to handle his own wayward wife.” He cocks his head to the side. “Why are you only just getting here? Didn’t Tony bring you?”

I avert my eyes, unable to bear his scrutiny. Dante always sees too much.

“Ah, he didn’t want you here. Well, let’s go see how he feels about your presence.”

Dante reaches into the car and grabs my arm. Squealing in fright, I pull away. Paul steps up and puts a hand on Dante’s shoulder.

“Mr. Parisi,” he warns.

Dante just grins. He’s about five inches shorter than Paul and carries half his muscle, but the man is a psychopath. He’d gut the younger man before he could blink.

“It’s fine, Paul,” I assure him. “Dante just wants to get me safely to my husband.”

Hoping that’s true, I scoot to the edge of the seat and put my hand out for Dante to help me from the car. He assists me, not because he’s a gentleman, but so he can grab a firm hold of my arm.

“I’m coming with you,” Paul says.

Surprisingly, Dante doesn’t argue and lets the other man trail behind us as we walk into the hospital, heading for the Stanhope Wing. It’s empowering to have Paul at my back. He makes me feel secure, something I never experienced with any of Antonio’s other men. I wonder if I can keep him. Probably not. Antonio will suspect I’m up to something if I ask to choose my own bodyguard.

As we walk into the ultra-exclusive wing of the hospital, we find a couple of Antonio’s men stationed in the reception area. Dante just has to glare at the poor flustered woman behind the desk for her to buzz us through the secure entrance to the part of the hospital where Gio is being treated.

We take the elevator, getting out on the fourth floor. We walk along the corridor, turn a corner, and then all hell breaks loose.

CHAPTER 15

Antonio

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