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“No, I’m fine. I’ve known this was going to happen for a very long time. She was brought to us for a reason. I knew it meant she would be used and that it would most likely be as a bride and heir provider for someone within the organization. I’m glad it’s you. I really mean that.”
“My mother says twenty-five is the perfect age for a woman to become a mother. She’s very excited about the marriage.” I remember my mother was sneaking around yesterday so she could see her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. “I caught Mom stalking her. She thinks she’s adorable.”
“Your mother will be good to her,” John comments. “She could use a mother again. She misses hers.”
“Mom always wanted a daughter. She got me instead. Of course, having a boy made my father happy.” Chuckling, I think about something my mother said. “Mom told me once that God must be on my father’s side because he always got whatever he wanted, and she never got anything she wanted.”
Shaking his head, he frowns. “Their marriage is so bad.”
“It really is. But I think my mother will finally have some happiness. With Isabella to dote on and soon a baby for her to spoil, she should finally feel God on her side for once.” I want to see my mother truly happy. That’s never been a thing I have been able to witness—not yet, anyway.
“I guess I need to get going. I want to get her car away from her before she finds some reason to go off on her own. If Barone gets to her, it’ll be hell to get her back.”
“We can’t let that happen.” I don’t even want to think about what that man would do to his daughter if he got ahold of her. Men like him tend to punish even those who had no idea they were doing anything against him. “It’s not like it’s Isabella’s fault her mother took her and ran from him.”
Heading out of the café, John pushes the door open. “Yeah, we know that, but Barone’s brain works a lot differently than most. At least, people with sane brains. I think Isabella is safe as long as he doesn’t find out who his wife gave their little girl to. And since Isabella’s real mother, Esmerelda Barone is dead, she can’t tell him a thing.”
Stopping at my car, I wonder if the truth will ever have to come out about my involvement in the execution of Esmerelda Barone. “Let’s be sure to keep my part in her real mother’s death a secret. I think we have a shot at getting along. If she knew what I did, she might hate me. The last thing I want is a marriage like my parents have.”
Patting me on the back, John assures me, “Your secret is safe with me. It wasn’t only you. I was there too. Orders are orders, and back then, neither of us was in the position to argue with your father.”
“Still, she never needs to know. I want to keep the waters as smooth as I can. This is all going to come out of the blue at her. Today, I’m going to ask her to try on wedding dresses. I’m sure she’ll think that’s insane.”
“You got that right. I’m sure I’ll hear all about your terrible bride as soon as Bella gets home this evening. At least she thinks you’re pretty awesome—but she would like it if you decided where you’re going on your honeymoon.”
“I hate that I’m going to disappoint her right from the start. Keeping her safe is more important than some trip to an exotic place with romance hanging heavy in the air.” But it would be nice if we could just run away for a few weeks, really get to know each other, maybe even actually fall in love.
Laughing to myself, I get into my car, close the door, then focus on the reality of this whole situation. I’m going to become a married man sooner than I thought I would. I’m going to take a young bride, do my best to impregnate her, and pray she doesn’t hate me for what I must do.
Looking up at the sky through my sunroof, I say a small prayer. “God, please help me to be the man I need to be for the woman I’ll share the rest of my life with.”
And maybe let her fall in love with me, at least a little.
Chapter 4
Isabella
Fabric the color of blood floats toward me. “Not that,” I say, shaking my head. I sent one of the staff members to find me something from Carlo’s bedroom so I could find out what his favorite color is, but blood red isn’t what I had in mind. “Is that the dominant color in his room?”
Nodding, the woman drops the sheet on the floor. “It’s that or black. And black’s not a good color for a wedding.”
“Neither is that.” Wringing my hands, I feel lost as to what to do. “I can’t do this with no input from the couple. I just can’t. I’ll ruin this for them if they can’t communicate with me at least a little.” It occurs to me that all of the people working with me also work in the mansion. One of them has to know the bride-to-be. “Anyone here know the woman Carlo’s marrying?”
Blank stares are all I see, and then the familiar sound of shoes clicking over the floor fills my ears. As soon as Carlo enters the ballroom, he jerks one thumb back toward where he came from, and everyone who’s helping me drops what they’re doing and hauls ass.
I can’t believe he got rid of all my help. “Really?” I ask, with my hands on my hips.
As he nears me, his eyes move to the sheet lying on the floor. “Why is one of my bedsheets in here?” His dark eyes dance as he looks at me.
“I’m trying to figure out the wedding colors. I asked someone to go find me something from your bedroom so I could get an idea of what your favorite color is. Blood red wasn’t one of the colors I had in mind though.”
“Use any colors you like, Isabella.” He takes a seat at the piano I had brought in, places his fingers on the keys, and begins playing a little tune.
“You play?” My heart skips a beat as I think about sitting with him at the piano for hours on end as he plays, with me singing along.
He winks and says, “Obviously.” Tilting his head to the side, he urges me to come sit next to him.
Who am I to deny the man?
