Page 101 of She Belongs to Me

“I don’t think you’re going to allow me to go anywhere.”

“No, I am not. I am serious.”

“I don’t know Nico well and God knows he didn’t take any time to get to figure out who I was or am.”

I did so adore when she cursed in her native language, completely frustrated with me. “The two of you are hardheaded. Jesus.”

“Well, maybe true, but I don’t think he is eager to start any relationship, and I need to figure out if I’m still attending Georgetown next year.”

“We have an incredible, top accredited medical school right here. You will stay.”

“And I don’t know Italian.”

Her wink made me groan. “I will teach you.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I want you to stay.”

“Well, there’s a little thing that needs to occur. Your brother needs to ask me to stay and I don’t think he’s going to do that.”

“Bullshit.” Isabella lifted her glass. “My brother was worried about what to wear tonight.”

“Not a chance. He’s the Don of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra and a very important man. He’s not going to worry about what clothes to wear for a dinner.”

Her grin was far too wicked. “Bet me.”

We laughed and toasted, my thoughts turning quite naughty. I adored the man. A part of me really did want to stay, but there was so much baggage at this point. I noticed her expression suddenly became very serious. “What is it?”

“When Nico’s girlfriend left, he decided no more women. What’s your excuse?”

“His girlfriend left him?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Yes, a long time ago. He’ll kill me if I told you the reason why.”

I could tell she was dying to let me know the secret. “Come on, Izzy. You’re pulling out the stops to ensure your brother finally frees himself from these self-imposed chains. Why did she leave him?”

Sighing, she took a sip of wine before answering. “She had a miscarriage at almost four months she blamed him for.”

The woman could have told me almost anything, including the girl had been from some celebrity family, but hearing about his two losses nearly broke my heart. “What? Why would she blame him?”

“That’s a part of the story he doesn’t talk about. But it crushed him almost as much as the death of your father. But seeing the light in his eyes when you walk into a room is something neither Domino nor I thought we’d ever see again. You’re good for him.”

“I’m a disaster at this point, Izzy. I watched a man dying. The fuckers are after me.”

“You don’t know that for certain. You’re just scared and I don’t blame you.”

The fact I’d kept the threat from Nico was starting to weigh even more heavily on my mind. I planned on telling him after the party. He deserved to know. At least there hadn’t been another one, but it didn’t mean the monster wasn’t getting closer.

“I’m so sorry that happened. But I’m not a replacement.”

“Of course you’re not,” Isabella said. “You’re a special woman who’s captured my brother’s attention. Just know you have the rest of the family’s support.”

“I appreciate that.” Although I wasn’t entirely certain how I felt about it. There were so many things I wanted to say to her, but wasn’t certain if it was my place. The knock on the door prevented me from saying anything.

“Ms. Marciano. I was sent to fetch you according to your brother.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the girl, the very one who’d been so helpful in sharing clothing sites with me. “Fetch, huh?” I asked.

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