Page 197 of Mafia Kings: Valentino

But I was a little offended.

I was all like,WHAT?!

Hot chicks all over Italy throw themselves at me, and you’re not interested?!

“I… uh, okay,” I said, my pride bruised.

“My father thinks I’m going to be an old maid,” Isabella said sourly, “so he decided to go back to the 19thcentury for a solution, which was to marry me off to another family for his own business interests. So, if that’s all you wanted to tell me, I suggest you go back to your room before somebody comes and – ”

“There’s another girl,” I blurted out.

Isabella blinked. “…oh.”

She didn’t seem hurt – just surprised.

So I kept on going.

“She’s here in Sicily. She followed me after my brothers forced me to come here. I didn’t work with your brother today; I was withher.”

Isabella stared at me, wide-eyed –

And then comprehension dawned on her face.

“Ohhhhhhhhh,” she said, then laughed. “So this whole ‘taking me to see other towns’ is just a ruse to seeher.”

“…yeah,” I admitted, stunned that she didn’t sound angry.

“Pretty clever.”

“You’re not pissed off?”

She smiled. “Like I said, I didn’t want to get married to you in the first place. At least this way, I’m getting to do something I alwayswantedto do.”

I had to admit, I was completely thrown for a loop.

I’d expected to have to convince her, or plead with her, or bargain –

But she didn’t seem to care.

“Then you’re okay with me seeing this other girl?” I asked incredulously.

“Sure,” she said with a shrug. “As long as you get me out of this house.”

“…okay,” I said, stunned. “It’s a deal.”

Then I remembered there was another party to this agreement.

I turned and looked at Ludavica. “And you’re not going to tell?”

She looked amused. “I could give a rat’s ass who you’re banging.”

Damn.

Okay…

I looked back at Isabella. “So… we’re cool?”

“We’re fine,” she said in amusement. “Have you sufficiently unburdened your conscience?”

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