Page 29 of Vincenzo's Promise
“What did I tell you about surprises, Zo?”
I pecked her soft, full lips while she played in the hairs at the nape of my neck. “And what did I tell you aboutmysurprises, Bella?”
She rolled her eyes with a smile on her face I wanted to make sure never left when she was with me.
“Go, get dressed. I’ll meet you in the living room when you’re done.”
After one final peck on her lips, she turned, walked back into our room, and into the walk-in closet. Although things were hectic, I wanted to make sure this was a trip of a lifetime for her.
I pulled my phone out, dialing Angelo. “Did you do as I asked?” I questioned as soon as he picked up the phone.
“Well, hello to you too, cousin. How’s Belize?”
“It’s fine, Angelo,” I replied, exasperated, “but I want to make this perfect. So, did you do as I asked?”
“I did. It will be delivered by the time you return from dinner, and the back patio facing the ocean will be transformed just as you asked. Vin, what’s up?”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t play stupid with me, man. I want to know what’s really going on between you two.”
“I have no fucking clue.” I sighed and sat back down in the patio chair. “But I can admit it’s something. She’s different. I don’t know what else I can say.”
The silence over the line was deafening. Normally, Angelo had a quick retort, so him not saying anything said a lot. He was just as confused as I was. I had been determined not to let any woman into my heart, including the woman I chose to marry. Isabella had flipped my world upside down, and I didn’t quite understand what to do about it. Angelo and I were both in unfamiliar territory with this situation.
“Okay,” he responded.
“Okay? That’s all you got after I admit that there’s something happening between me and Bella?”
“Yeah.” He chuckled. “Listen, Vin, if you want to be with this woman, I’m not going to talk you out of it. From what I can see, she seems like a good woman. She’s not your usual type, and a little tame for my tastes, but hey, you’re the one marrying her, and you like what you like. I just want you both to be ready for what you’ll have to deal with, that’s all. We’re going to have to deal with not only the Five Families but also the other clans. You’re merging the Cosa Nostra and the Camorra, cousin. This isn’t some small thing. You know this shit ain’t gonna be easy, and as you can see the shitstorm is already brewing.”
“I know, but I’m ready to take them all on for her, Angelo. I want her and nothing’s going to keep me from having her. Not the Cosa Nostra or the fucking clans.”
“Well, just know I’ll protect her just like she’s blood, like she’s my sister, as I have you. You have my word.”
“Angelo, I know I don’t tell you often, but you’re like a brother to me and I appreciate everything you do.”
“I know, Vin. But let’s not get into all the mushy shit right now. It makes me uncomfortable.”
We laughed. We understood our connection, and it wasn’t one we talked about often, but Angelo and I were men of action. We weren’t raised by parents who doted on us, showing us how to vocalize our love and appreciation. We were practical and showed our close-knit bond through the things we’d done for one another. It had been that way since we were kids. Now that I’d admitted to the one person who meant the world to me that I was opening my heart to Isabella, he’d protect her with his life, just like I would.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I said. “Don’t contact me tonight unless it’s significant.”
“Gotcha. Be safe.”
“Always.”
I hung up, grabbed my clothes from the walk-in closet, and made my way to the smaller bedroom down the hall from the master suite. Excitement, intrigue, and trepidation bombarded me. Being able to spend extended time alone with Isabella had me in a revolving whirlwind of emotions; excitement about sharing in this new experience with someone as exquisite as her; intrigued by what I’d learned so far about her and wanting to know more about a woman who surprised me at every turn; and fear at what opening my heart to the possibility might mean for me and her.
Again, love in this life often led to death.
* * *
“The food was amazing,”Isabella said for at least the millionth time since we returned to the house after our dinner date.
All I could do was smile.
She had been so enamored with the ambience of the restaurant as well as the authentic Belizean cuisine; she hadn’t stopped gushing over the flavors or the atmosphere. It wasn’t lost on me that I wanted to keep that grin on her face and twinkle of excitement in her eyes, no matter how much I was out of my element with this situation.
