Page 6 of To Have and To Hold

“She said she’d talk to your father.”

I let out a breath. “He’ll never agree to it.”

Aunt Giulia feigned a smile. “You’re probably right. I just wanted you to know in case Mia says something to you about it.”

My nose wrinkled. “Work with whores? Is that even safe?”

Aunt Giulia kissed my hair. “Don’t worry about it, Isabella. Just be prepared if the topic comes up.” She tilted her head. “Now, let’s eat, watch Ariadna Gia—or Catalina—open presents, and get out of here before a fight breaks out.”

“Sounds good.”

Chapter

Three

Emiliano

Even though Isabella avoided me for the rest of the party, I did my best to keep my eyes on her. She was easy to spot with her long golden hair. Whenever our gazes would meet, she would look away. Of the throng of girls, the only one who would make eye contact with me was the middle sister from Salvatore’s family. I learned from Cat that her name was Aria, and she was sixteen. Definitely off-limits. Besides, there was something about Isabella.

Yes, her hair was beautiful, but her sister had the same color hair. I didn’t feel a pull toward her sister. There shouldn’t be a pull toward Isabella. She was of age, but that still meant young. I’d be thirty at my next birthday.

Maybe it was watching Jano and Rei settle down that made me want to do the same. Knowing the dislike Dario’s uncles had for the alliance, I’d be better off to talk to Jano about a daughter of one of his lieutenants. Rei oversaw many soldiers in Northern California.

With my back against the wall and my arms crossed over my chest, I watched as Catalina sat on the floor with Ariadna Gia. Dario was sitting behind them on a sofa, smiling and nodding as Catalina opened presents and showed them to the baby and then to her husband.

If anyone would have asked me when our father was first discussing Cat’s arranged marriage to Dario Luciano if I thought it would work, I would have said no. Seeing him interact with his wife and daughter was as if the man who sat behind the desk in the big office had two personalities.

I found Isabella seated with her sister and cousins, all crammed on another sofa. It was pretty obvious that they were only present because of their fathers heeding Dario’s invitation. Dante and Camila were next to the capo. Camila was writing each gift and the giver’s name on a tablet.

My mother and Mrs. Luciano were seated close on two chairs. Mrs. Luciano was holding Jorge. My dad and Uncle Nicolas were about as far away from Dario’s uncles as they could be and still be in the same room. It seemed evident that while some people were trying to make the alliance work, others would be just as happy if it dissolved.

“Ey,” Nick, my cousin, said as he settled beside me against the wall. He lowered his voice. “We have Herrera to deal with and instead, our top brass are in Kansas City at a one-year-old’s birthday party. This ismierda.”

Bullshit.

I stifled a laugh. “Sí,but look at Jano.” We both turned to seeel Patr?nsitting with his arm around Mia’s shoulders. “He needed this break. Even if it’s only for one day.”

Nick nodded. “He’s doing well. Jorge would be proud.”

“The resistance is wearing on him. The confirmation of Herrera being alive has him working 24/7.”

“Have you talked much to Rei?” Nick asked. “How are things going up north?”

“You know about as much as I do. I know he and Jano talk every day.”

“Em.”

I turned my attention to my sister, the one on the floor.

Her smile grew as she held up a little LA Chargers cheerleader dress. “It’s adorable.”

“Adorable,” the capo said dryly, “but she’ll never wear it.”

Catalina turned and smiled at her husband and turned back toward me with a wink. “She’ll wear it.”

“Not if they’re playing the Chiefs.”

Laughter rumbled through the room.

---