Page 53 of Not Mine to Keep

My insides turned at what he was proposing. God help me if he demanded she murder someone over the summer before I could takehim out. I’d never let that woman know what it was like to take a life. I had no choice but to snap out, “Understood.”

“Good.” He narrowed his eyes, and what else was coming? “Is Rocco Barone going to be a problem for you? I learned this morning you two have a history together.”

I should’ve been expecting this, but I didn’t have the mental bandwidth left for the conversation. “Not unless he comes after Calliope as retribution. You do realize he’s one sick fuck, don’t you?” I pointed out, unable to dull the blade of my bluntness. “The vile things he would’ve done to your daughter ... No father should’ve ever let that man within a hundred feet of his child.”

“He won’t come after my daughter. He knows there’d be hell to pay.” He flicked his hand toward the guards, who were hanging back in the doorway again, and Gabriel was there waiting for us, too. “Time to go.”

I’d never been so grateful to see a criminal. But after the last few days, I was beginning to think Callie was wrong about him needing my help to see the light.

Either I was becoming a horrible judge of character, or Gabriel had already seen it, and this was his chance to become a better man. Change the DiMaggio organization into a legitimate one after Armani died.

Gabriel met my eyes and gave me a little nod, and I hated the nagging gut feeling that told me I was too off my game to truly know anything.

For now, I needed to focus on one step at a time.

Marriage.

A fake honeymoon.

Then devise a plan to take out Marcello, Armani, and any other threats to Callie’s safety.

And also, somehow survive three months without actually impregnating my wife.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Calliope

“You make one beautiful bride.”

At Rosa’s wispy, almost sentimental tone, I faced the full-length mirror inside the back room of the church. “Thank you, I think? Not sure I want to be a beautiful anything today.”

“Can I come in?” someone called out while knocking. “It’s Isabella Costa.”

Izzy?“Can you give us a minute alone?” I asked Rosa, my heart going into overdrive at the idea of meeting Alessandro’s sister for some reason.

Rosa patted my shoulder, then went to the door and swapped places with Isabella.

Once the door was closed and we were alone, Isabella hung back, wearing a soft yellow dress that’d make a perfect bridesmaid dress.

She was gorgeous. Not a shocker given Alessandro’s looks.

“Hi,” I whispered, my nerves catching as I waited for her to talk.

“Well, you’re absolutely stunning. Not my brother’s normal type.” She raised her hand, eyes narrowing as if an apology was on the way. “I mean that in the best possible way.” A little laugh left her mouth. “You’re who I would wish ... if this were real, you know?”

I processed her words.

Then took time to process a bit more as she kept studying me. She and her brother had the whole staring-at-me-like-I-was-a-mystery-to-be-solved thing down pat.

She drummed her fingers on her collarbone as I continued to remain quiet. “I ramble sometimes. Lack a filter, too. Apologies in advance.”

“I can relate to that,” I admitted. “Your brother isn’t always a fan of my mouth.”Well, that didn’t sound right.

She chuckled. “Oh, I’m betting he’s secretly your biggest fan.” When she ate up the space between us and pulled me in for an unexpected hug, I went still.

My arms became awkward dangling limbs at my sides, and it took me a moment to remember what to do in a scenario like this. Hug back.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I finally said when she let me go. “How’s Alessandro feeling? Gabriel said he slept most of the day.” I wasn’t about to admit how worried about him I’d been after our encounter last night, but yeah, the knots in my stomach had knots.

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