Page 75 of Deception

“Persuaded me how?”

“I just need to know if she has any influence over your decisions,” Adriano snaps. “You haven’t been with someone like this in a long time.”

“Like this? Like what?”

“I see the way you look at her. The way she looks at you. This is more than a tryst. It’s like Cata?—”

“Do. Not. Say her name.”

“Then answer me. Are you compromised?”

“No.”

“Then what are you going to do about her? What arewegoing to do about her?”

A sick feeling swells in my chest and I back away as the door clicks closed, echoing like a gunshot in my head.

16

ALESSANDRO

“Imade lunch. Would you like some?” I poke my head into the den. Isabella is curled up on the couch reading.

The way her eyes light up when she smiles makes my heart skip a beat.

She makes me feel so alive.

Like someone else entirely.

Not a don, a leader of warriors, a criminal mastermind. I’m just Alessandro. I can indulge every desire with her without judgment.

The escapism of it is horribly dangerous. Adriano was right to worry. But I won’t bring this back with me. Unless she is willing to come…

Thoughts of Catalina no longer destroy me, but they inject doubt into this relationship. The fact of the matter is that it’s damn near impossible for someone like me to have love, security; which is why the elders want me to marry for politics.

It keeps the risk lower.

Mostly for the other person. They could be used against me, they could get hurt just being near me.

“Isabella?” I ask after we’ve both taken several bites of our risotto and braised pork. I’ve gotten pretty good at cooking since we’ve been here.

“Yes?”

“What are your plans after this?” Her eyes crinkle at the edges. She knows it’s not just a simple question I’m asking.

“I’m not sure. My vacation got thrown for a loop. I may head back home. The snow is sort of a damper on exploring any more of the countryside or looking for more family members.”

Family. Right. That’s why she came here.

A stray thought worms its way into my mind unbidden.

What if she joined my family?

What if I told her everything, all of the dirty details of my life. Who I really am. I have a feeling she already knows more than she’s let on. We just haven’t addressed it. It would make things easier.

Would she come with me if I asked?

“So Rome, right? I think you mentioned that a few times. Your job must be wanting you back by now.”

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