Page 107 of To Have and To Hold

Isabella

Diego pulled our car into a parking space next to Rafaele’s. Horace turned, looking at me in the back seat. “Lieutenant Ruiz instructed us to stay with you. We’ll wait outside your parents’ room.”

I nodded. “I’d like that.”

Rafaele opened the door as Diego and Horace were getting out of the car. “Miss Izzy,” he said offering me his hand as he’d done a million times in my life.

I laid my left hand in his.

His gaze immediately went to the ring on my fourth finger. Yet, as I stepped out, he didn’t offer me congratulations. Once I was standing on the parking lot, all three men were surrounding me.

Rafaele spoke, “Thank you for driving Miss Luciano. I can assure you she will be safe in my care as she has always been.”

Horace shook his head. “We told you back at the house. Mrs. Ruiz is our responsibility, and we won’t be leaving here without her.”

“Very well.” Rafaele gestured with his hand. “Enjoy the resort. You can even charge your drinks to Carmine Luciano. Miss Luciano may inform you when she’s ready to be taken back.”

I lifted my hands. “Honestly, you’re giving me a headache.” I had three sets of eyes on me. “Rafaele, take me to my family.” He smiled with a nod. I turned to Diego and Horace. “You two follow. I’d hate to lose you to this extravagant beach resort.”

“Gladly, Mrs. Ruiz,” Horace replied.

“It isn’t necessary—” Rafaele began.

“Which way?” I interrupted. “I’m anxious to see Noemi and Tony.”

Rafaele and I walked the paths, trailed by my new bodyguards. We seemed to be following the signs to a structure called The View. Once inside, all four of us awkwardly entered an elevator. Rafaele flashed a key and pushed the button for the seventh floor. I rolled my eyes. Of course, my father would have to be on the top floor.

The doors opened to an eerie silence. We stepped from the elevator bay into the hallway. Only the hum of the air conditioner could be heard. “It seems empty.”

“Your father rented the entire floor. Mr. Salvatore and his family haven’t yet arrived,” Rafaele said.

“They’re coming too?” My mind filled with thoughts of my cousins. Not only would I see my siblings, but also Marisa, Aria, and Cenzi.

We came to a stop in front of the door to suite 704. I turned to Diego and Horace. “Thank you. I’ll be fine inside.”

“If you need us, Mrs. Ruiz…”

I nodded with a smile “Thank you.”

When I turned, the door was open, and my father was standing within the doorframe. His gaze wasn’t on me but on Diego and Horace. “Leave or I’ll have you thrown off the property.”

“Papà, these are my bodyguards.”

“Rafaele is perfectly capable of watching over you.” He scanned the floor. “Where are your things—an overnight bag?”

“I’m not spending the night.” I lifted my left hand. “I’m married. I’ll spend the night with my husband.”

I didn’t see his hand, but Horace must have. I heard the swoosh of air as Horace pulled me backward against his hard chest, saving me from an open-handed slap. Before I could blink, Diego had a gun pointed at my father, and Rafaele had a gun pointed at Diego.

“Stop,” I demanded, moving away from Horace. I looked at my father. “Where are Mom, Noemi, and Tony?”

The darkness in his eyes intensified. “We need to clear up matters.” His scowl deepened as lines formed, spidering from the corners of his squinted eyes. His words came through clenched teeth. “I told you about Aldo Ricci with the Esposito famiglia in St. Louis.”

I lifted my chin. “I’m already married.” I tried to peer around him. “Mom,” I called out. The reality hit me. “They’re not here, are they?”

“Working with whores turned you into one.” He scanned me up and down. “Did he ruin you?”

I gasped. “I’m married, by a priest.”

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