Page 56 of His to Hold

“He is.”

If Reznov is prepared to step down, his feelings for my mother are obviously the real deal.

“Okay.” I nod resolutely. “You’re a grown woman. You know your own mind. If Boris Reznov is the man you want, I can live with it.”

“Thank you, Antonio.” She reaches over and pats my hand. “Does that go for the rest of you?”

Alessandro and Leo both murmur their assent. My mother stands and opens her arms wide. We all rush into her embrace.

“I love you boys so much. Nobody will ever mean more to me than you.”

There’s a moment of awkwardness as we step out of the hug and just stare at each other. None of us are good with emotionality. We stand there, not knowing what to say until Leo finally breaks the silence. “I won’t call him Daddy.”

Alessandro snorts with laughter. “It’s Papa, surely. That’s what some Russians call their Pakhan, right?”

I shake my head at the thought of addressing the Russian billionaire as Papa and laugh. Then my phone chirps with a message from Matteo, asking me to meet him downstairs in the cafeteria.

“I’ll be back later.” I lean in to kiss my mother’s cheek. “If Gio needs anything, let me know.”

Texting Matteo that I’m on my way, I head downstairs. I hope he’s not about to tell me there was a problem with the Irish MC who supplies some of the weapons my men use. When I get to the cafeteria, my heart sinks. I suspect the issue my brother needs to talk to me about is more personal. He’s sitting at a table by the window, opposite our younger sister.

As I pass Olivia’s bodyguard, Jimmy, I nod in acknowledgement. After being horribly disfigured in an acid attack while protecting my sister, he should have taken my father’s offer and retired. The man has paid his dues. But he refuses to leave Olivia’s side. Loyalty like that is to be admired.

When I get to the table where my siblings are sitting, my stomach drops. For once in her life, Olivia isn’t wearing makeup. Her fresh face makes her appear young and innocent but also reveals the dark circles beneath her eyes, the tear streaks on her cheeks. Why do I feel like I’ve just put out one fire only for another one to be lit?

“What’s going on?” I demand.

Olivia gives a delicate hiccup. Matteo reaches across the table and grabs her hand. “It’s okay, Livvy. Just tell Tony what you told me.”

I brace myself for whatever shit my family is about to unleash on me now. Olivia sucks in a breath and looks up at me, refusing to meet my eye. “It’s about Isabella.”

CHAPTER 20

Isabella

I’m in the kitchen rinsing out the wineglasses the girls and I used this afternoon when I hear the front door clicking shut.

“I’m in the kitchen,” I call out.

Spending the afternoon with Emilia and Vinnie has left me in a buoyant mood. I can’t wait to tell Antonio about my day and to ask him how Gio is. The minute he steps into the kitchen, however, I know something is wrong. My first thought is that his brother has had some sort of setback.

“Is Gio okay?”

“He’s fine.”

The dark gleam in Antonio’s eyes is unsettling. He’s a predator waiting to pounce, but I don’t know why he has me in his sights.

“Is something wrong?”

“I don’t know, Bella, you tell me.”

I frown deeply as I try to work out what he’s talking about. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“No?” Antonio’s expression tells me he doesn’t believe that. “Come here.”

My heart races as I set down the glass I was holding and walk around to the other side of the enormous island that dominates the kitchen. Antonio’s eyes follow me every step of the way, making my skin prickle with awareness. Instinct tells me to run, but deep down I know he won’t hurt me.

“Take your clothes off.” His command is harsher than usual.

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