Page 18 of Vincenzo's Promise
“Because your father and I are not a part of the same organization. Have you heard of the Camorra?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Only the Five Families of the Cosa Nostra.”
“The Camorra’s like the Cosa Nostra, only we aren’t Sicilian but Campanians from Campania, Italy. We follow some of the same codes but remain separate in the United States, just like it is in the old country. We’re already breaking several traditions with our marriage, including merging families from warring organizations. I just want to make sure I know everything before we go to your father.”
“Okay, I can do that. But please, keep me in the loop. If you are anything like my father, you will try to protect me from the truth, but I’m a part of this too. I deserve to know what’s going on just as much as you.”
“You’re right. It is my responsibility to protect you, Bella, but I will let you know what I find out.”
“Thank you. That’s all I ask.”
“Are you ready to go?”
She nodded and grabbed her clutch from the couch. Then we headed out the door.
“Make sure you set the alarm,” I reminded her. “I’m going to make sure one of my guys stays on your house while we’re away.”
“That’s not necessary.” After setting the alarm, she locked the front door. “Papa keeps someone on me at all times. I never see them, but I know they’re there, and I’ve never had any problems after moving here.”
It was necessary, especially since Angelo informed me there were rumors and questions going around about her and me. With those rumors, the danger increased tenfold because of the power I would gain from merging the Scuderi Family and the De Maio Clan. She would have to get used to the increased security. She would be my fiancée, which meant she’d be a target for my enemies, and her father’s, when everyone finally linked her to him.
“It’s necessary and not a problem, Isabella.” I placed my hand on her lower back and escorted her to the awaiting car. “Certain precautions need to be taken.”
I opened the door, and she gazed at me for a minute. Then she gave a quick nod and slid into the back. I smiled at her, trusting my judgment without complaint, shut the door, and pulled out my cellphone to send a text to the head of my security, making sure a car was left to watch her home while we were at dinner.
Before I slipped into the car, a tingle ran down my spine, and the hairs on my arms stood on end.
I looked around the empty subdivision. There wasn’t a person in sight, nothing seemed different from when I’d entered earlier, and there were no unusual movements as I continued to scan the area. But someone was there even if I couldn’t see them. They were watching my every move from the shadows. I could feel it. I hadn’t gotten this far in this life by ignoring my feelings, and this one was intense.
Surveying the surrounding houses one more time, I sent another text to my security detail to ensure someone had eyes on all entrances of Isabella’s home. I didn’t know if the threat was to me, to her, or the both of us, but it was there.
With one final glance into the night, I decided to let my team handle whatever was going on and slid into the backseat of the car.
Nervous energy surrounded Bella, causing me to forget all about the feeling I’d had before I entered the car. All my focus went to her. I wanted to reach out to calm her, but I didn’t want to push the boundaries. I couldn’t believe this shit—I was going out on a date and excited about it.
We sat silently for a while, looking out the tinted windows, lost in our own thoughts. Strange emotions swirled in my head. When I’d looked at the picture of Cyrus and Isabella’s mother, my heart had yearned for that experience. I’d never thought of having someone to love me or someone I could love in return. Someone who would love me unconditionally. I wasn’t a good man, which was something Isabella would get used to, and I didn’t believe I could love anyone or have them love me. Yet, I wanted someone to look at the way Cyrus had looked at Stella.
Could Isabella be the person I’d risk it all for? Could I love her?
I was also intrigued by the picture of my father and me. Something Cyrus said from our meeting at the restaurant rushed back to my mind as I thought about why my father never told me of their connections.
“I knew this day would come.”
“He knew this day would come?” I mumbled, repeating Cyrus’s words.
“I’m sorry, did you say something, Zo?”
“Oh, it’s nothing important.” I turned to her. “Cyrus and I needed to have a long talk. Are you nervous or excited?”
There was just something about Isabella. When she looked at me, it was as if the world stopped. Her smooth, ebony skin glowed as the lights from passing cars and street lamps flickered in the moving vehicle. Her face was both gentle and held strength with long thick lashes that swept down across her high delicate cheekbones.
“Both.” She gave me a small, tentative smile that sent my heart racing. “Are you nervous or excited?”
“Strangely, both.”
Her smile widened, and my heart skipped a beat.
I’d had numerous women, beautiful women from the four corners of the world, but Isabella brought about emotions I had never felt before.
