Page 75 of To Have and To Hold

“Do you realize what it would do for your father to be connected to the Esposito famiglia? It would give him clout—leverage over the capo.”

My mouth fell open. “Seriously, my marriage to a man I don’t know would be better for Papà. If we have Dario’s approval, Em and I are getting married.”

“Fine,” she pacified. “Honey, it will take months for me to plan a wedding—maybe we should think Christmas or better yet springtime in the Ozarks. Yes, that time of the year, Arianna’s place would be beautiful.”

Seriously, it was early September.

She went on, “We must consider the guest list. Remember the tension at Dario and Catalina’s ceremony?”

“I don’t want to wait months. I also don’t need a big wedding to outdo Aunt Arianna.” I had an idea. “If we chose to marry out here in San Diego, will you come?”

“Izzy,” she cried.

“The choice will be yours. Do you want me as a daughter or not?” I hit the red icon and tossed my phone on the desk. My attention quickly went to a knock on the door.

I’d told everyone my door would be open.

A quick look at the bottom of the monitor told me it was time to head to Mia’s. I rubbed my temples. After that conversation, I could use not only Mia’s advice but a few laps in her pool.

“Come in.”

The door opened. “Miss Izzy,” Horace said as he entered. “May we talk?”

My smile blossomed at the news my mother had shared. “Horace,el Patr?nand the capo have both approved of Em and I being married.”

His eyes opened wide. “The lieutenant…I didn’t realize.” Pressing his lips together, he nodded. “That makes sense.”

“It’s quick, but that doesn’t mean it’s not real.”

“Congratulations, Miss Izzy.”

I stood and pulled the desk drawer out to retrieve my purse. “I can’t wait to tell Mia—unless she already knows. And Em.” I continued that thought. “He can’t know. If he did, he would have called me.” I picked up my phone to see if I’d missed his call.

No calls from him.

“Maybe he doesn’t know.” I met Horace’s gaze. “I’m going to call him.”

“No, please don’t call him.”

The joy of a second ago evaporated with the tone of his voice. “Why? Don’t scare me.”

He gestured toward my chair. “Please sit down. There have been developments today, developments that must stay confidential.”

“Is Em injured?”

“No, miss. José is speaking to Señora Ruiz. No one else must know what I’m about to tell you. None of the tenants. If any rumors start, you must deny all knowledge.”

My hands began to tremble. “Why are you telling me?”

“Because you’re engaged to Lieutenant Emiliano Ruiz, and he told me to be completely honest with you.”

I feigned a smile at the memory of us agreeing to those terms. “Did he tell you we were engaged?”

“No, miss. He told me to be truthful. You told me you are engaged.”

I gripped the arms of my chair, tightening my hold until my knuckles blanched. “What is happening?”

“I can tell you what I know.”

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