Page 55 of Arranged Mafia Marriage

I decide to change the subject, sensing the tension. “Tony, do you like ice cream? There’s a great shop near our home. Maybe we can stop there sometime this week.”

He grins. “Yes, please, though we call it gelato, and it’s a bit different from ice cream.”

I nod, pretending not to know that. “I’m impressed that you know so much at your age.”

He giggles before looking at Isabella. “Can we get ice cream today, Mama?”

Isabella hesitates, then nods. “Perhaps. If Mr. Pimaslov thinks it’s safe.”

“Call me Kiril,” I say. “And I’ll make sure it’s safe. We can even have the ice cream delivered to the house if you prefer.”

As we near the penthouse, the SUV slows, and Isabella tenses up again. I try to reassure her. “The wing we’ve prepared for you is completely private. You’ll have your own entrance, and no one will disturb you without your permission.”

She nods stiffly. “And how long do you intend to keep us here?”

“As long as necessary to ensure your safety,” I say diplomatically, not addressing the other possible reason we might need to keep them. Leverage. “I know it’s not ideal, but that’s the nature of the situation.”

“Not ideal?” Isabella interrupts. “You’ve taken us from our home, our life, and Tony’s first year at his new school. How is this keeping us safe?”

I remind myself to stay patient. “I understand your frustration, but this is temporary. We’re working on a long-term solution that will allow you to live freely and safely.”

Tony tugs on my sleeve. “Kiril, will there be other kids to play with?”

The innocent question catches me off guard. “Not right away, but we’ll figure out something. Maybe we can set up some playdates once we’re sure it’s safe.” Some of my captains have children, and they’re already vetted, so interaction will be safe.

As we pull up to the penthouse, I notice Isabella eyeing the security measures, the cameras and the guards discretely positioned around the perimeter, cataloguing them as though planning her escape route. She pulls Tony closer to her side.

“Come on,” I say, opening the car door and making no mention of the futility of trying to bypass my security. “Let’s get you settled in. I think you’ll find the accommodations comfortable, and my wife is eager to meet you.”

We enter through a side door, bypassing the main entrance. I lead them down a hallway to a set of double doors. “This is your wing,” I say, pushing open the doors.

The space beyond is elegantly furnished, with large windows letting in plenty of natural light. There’s a spacious living area, a fully equipped kitchen, and several bedrooms branching off from the main space.

Tony immediately runs to the windows, pressing his face against the glass. “Wow. We’re so high up.”

Isabella walks the perimeter of the room, glancing from corner to corner. I can see her registering exits and assessing potential threats. It’s a habit I recognize all too well.

“The windows are bulletproof,” I say quietly. “And there are panic buttons throughout the apartment. You’re safe here.”

She turns to face me, her expression still wary. “Thank you. It’s a lot more than I expected.”

I nod. She was probably expecting a prison cell or a damp cellar. “We want you to be comfortable. Both of you.”

Tony bounds over to us. “Can we explore the rest of the house? Is it all this big?”

I chuckle. “Not all of it, but there’s plenty of space. We’ll give you a tour soon, but first, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Isabella tenses again. “Who?”

“My wife. She’s looking forward to welcoming you.”

At the mention of Felicity, a flicker of worry crosses Isabella’s face. I understand her concern if Damiano has mentioned any of his attempts to kill my wife to his lover, but I hope that Felicity’s warmth and kindness will put them at ease.

“Tony,” I say, crouching down to the boy’s level again, “How would you like to meet your Aunt Felicity? She’s very excited to see you.”

Tony’s eyes widen. “I have an aunt? Does she like airplanes too?”

I laugh. “I’m not sure, but I bet she’d love to hear all about why you like them so much.”

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