Page 37 of Deadly Don's Savage Vows

I just need to get close to him.

And what better way to entice a man into giving up his secrets than a business deal he can’t refuse. It will at least get me a face-to-face meeting with him. A conversation.

It will give me the opportunity to get close to him and find out what his motives are.

I sit back down at my laptop and start putting together a business deal. An offer too good for him to ignore. I have renewed energy with my new idea, and I’m determined to make this work because I have nothing else to go on right now.

I have to take what I can get - and right now - this is it.

Chapter 15

Isabella

My alarm beeps, high pitched and annoying - aching against my ears until I reach over and switch it off.

I might have slept an hour or two at most. I can’t tell. What I know is that I’m exhausted. My eyes are dry and puffy, my head is heavy, and my body wants to sink back into the lost, darkness of dreaming instead of facing whatever is going to happen today.

But I will not let anyone else dictate my future.

Nico wants me to stay in the apartment, hide away and remain out of sight. But that’s not what I think is best for this situation.

Fear ate me alive last night. It consumed me to the point where I was practically paralyzed in my skin. I willnotlive like that. I made a promise to myself when I left Marcus - I promised not to let anyone make me weak ever again - and I intend to keep that promise.

I drag my legs out from beneath the blankets and hang them over the side of the bed. My body is aching from lack of sleep.

Cold tiles touch my feet when I walk into the kitchen. The shock of it pulls me a little further awake.

Soon a rich scent of strong coffee is in the air and slowly but surely I’m feeling a little better.

By the time I’ve had coffee, gotten dressed, and fed Dante - I’m even more focused and determined to not let anyone, even Marcus, hold me back from living my life.

Lisa arrives at her usual time and coos over Dante, swooping him up into her arms and lifting him in the air. He giggles and drools and she looks over at me.

“You look tired. Are you sure you’re well enough to go back to work so soon?”

“Yes, it was just a little overnight bug. It’s gone now. I’ll go to bed early tonight to make up for the lost sleep and then by tomorrow I’ll be recovered.”

“Just take care of yourself. If you feel crappy at work - come home. And take a jacket - it’s chilly outside.”

I grin, she mothers me just as much as she takes care of Dante.

“Yes, mom.” I tease her.

“Sorry - old habits.”

“It’s ok. I like it.” I reach over and hug her, then kiss Dante on the cheek and tell him I will see him later.

“We’ll be here.” Lisa says.

I walk out of the apartment with a mix of apprehension and fear. I hope I’m making the right choice here. Leaving my son alone right now is difficult - but I want to continue a normal routine. I won’t let this fear derail our lives.

Fear has never solved problems. It’s never helpedme. I don’t think fear has done anything but cripple people and hold them back.

Just outside my apartment door I take a deep breath and walk away from the door, towards the elevators. My high heels click on the tiled floor.

I’ve got work to do and that should be my focus, just like any other day.

I step through the gallery doors and immediately I can sense Nico is angry to see me. However, there are too many people around for him to say anything. He glares at me and in that glare are a lot of unspoken words, hanging in the air between us.

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