Page 36 of His to Hold

“I assume we’ve got someone on that.”

“Yeah, Leo’s guys, but they can’t identify the shooter. All they’ve got is tall, dressed in black, probably male.”

“So it could be anyone,” I say wearily.

“Yeah, but we’ll get them.” Matteo runs his fingers through his hair. He looks around the room as if only just realizing someone is missing. “Where’s Isabella?”

“Still in Connecticut. I don’t need her here.”

Matteo huffs out a breath. “Perhaps you don’t but did you consider for one minute that she might want to be here?”

“It’s better if she’s not here.”

“Why?”

“She’s a distraction.”

Matteo’s lips twists as he considers that. “Maybe Mamma needs a distraction right now. Maybe she’d like to know you’re working things out with your wife.”

“I don’t want to get her hopes up.” My mother is a romantic. If she thinks I’ve misjudged Isabella and am now looking to bring her back into my life, she’ll see it as some sort of fairytale. I wouldn’t mind, but she creates scenarios in her mind and is then disappointed when the reality doesn’t live up to them. “I don’t know if I can trust Isabella yet. She’s hiding something from me.”

“Like what?”

“She says Gallo was blackmailing her.”

“And you think there’s more to it?”

I nod but don’t get a chance to elaborate because my sister chooses now to storm over.

“Are you two talking about Isabella?” she demands.

I can’t believe the balls on this girl sometimes. “Our discussion is none of your business.”

Olivia folds her arms across her chest, bringing my attention to the fact her dress is far too low-cut. Taking my cellphone out of my pocket, I shrug out of my jacket and hand it to her. “Put that on.”

Her pursed lips suggest she’s about to defy me but she clearly thinks better of it. She slips the jacket on over her shoulders. It’s far too big for her slender frame, but at least she’s covered.

“There. Happy now?”

I’d be happier if she wore more modest clothing, but I won’t get in a fight with her about her wardrobe when my mother is sitting fifteen feet away.

“Go back and sit with Mamma.”

“No.” Olivia turns to Matteo. “You sit with her for a minute. I want to talk to our lord and master.”

Matteo looks at me for confirmation that I’m okay with that. I’m not but Olivia is clearly in a bratty mood and I won’t get any peace until I let her have her say.

“Where’s Leo gone?” she demands the moment Matteo walks away.

“He had things to deal with.”

“Vinnie, you mean?”

My right eye twitches in irritation. “That’s family business.”

“Oh, you mean Family with a capital F, the almighty fucking mafia.”

I grab her arm and tug her closer to me. “Keep your voice down, Olivia.”

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