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“Judgmental? You are aiding and abetting pedophiles.”
“One. And I would stop pushing the matter, unless you want to fall into my bad books,” he snaps.
A warning when I need it, as that’s the last thing I want. Gio must remain in favor of me if I’m going to take him down. Forcing my rage and morals into a cage deep in my soul, I shake my head. “Of course, I apologize.”
“Now, let’s go and get a real drink together and discuss your intentions toward my daughter.”
Intentions.
He’s the one that invited me here as a potential husband for Bella. All of my intentions are dishonorable. I intend to break his beautiful little daughter in every way imaginable before I crush him and his pathetic excuse of a family once and for all.
9
BELLA
“Do we have to go to this ball tonight?” I ask.
Nina sighs. “I asked Dad the same thing, and he practically snapped my head off over it.” She shakes her head. “We’ve got no choice.”
“Will Cathal be there?”
Her cheeks redden. “I don’t think so. I’m not sure Dad approves of him.”
I sigh heavily. “Figures he wouldn’t even approve of a bachelor he invited as a potential suitor if his daughter likes him.”
“Cathal is determined, though.” Her brow furrows. “I’ve never met a man so assertive as him.”
“Let’s not forget Isiah.” I roll my eyes. “It’s like Dad is determined to marry me off against my will.”
“I know,” she says, giving me a sad smile. “Unfortunately, in this criminal underworld, we have no say in the matter,” Nina says.
“But I can’t stand Isiah. He’s not the right person for me. He’s only interested in power and money and is down right abusive.”
“And what about James?” Nina asks.
I pause. “I would like to get to know him better, but you know he’s not suitable because he’s not rich and powerful.”
Nina grabs my hand and squeezes. “If you really like him, you need to fight.”
I laugh humorlessly. “What use is fighting when there’s no chance of winning?”
“You are giving up too easily.” She releases my hand. “Enough talk of marriage. How do I look?” Nina asks, twirling around.
“You look beautiful.” I narrow my eyes. “But if Cathal isn’t going, why do you care?”
She smirks. “Just in case he does make an appearance. I’ve got to be prepared.”
I shake my head. “I don’t care what I look like, particularly because Isiah will be there.”
“If we have to go. We should make the best of it, I suppose.” Nina gives me a small smile. “You look absolutely beautiful, for what it’s worth.”
I sigh and twirl to look at myself in the mirror. “That’s not a good thing. I don’t want Isiah to find me desirable,” I say, even as butterflies flutter to life in my stomach at the sight of my dress.
The sweetheart neckline fits snugly across my chest and the skirt flares delicately from my waist in an array of shimmering sapphire blue tulle. Silver beading adorns each delicate layer of the skirt, giving it an ethereal air, as if I were passing through a cloud every time I take a step.
The back dips into a deep V with thin spaghetti straps that runs down my back before gathering into a bow at the base of my spine. Tiny little pearls adorn the bodice, adding an extra sparkle to the dress like a starlit night sky on a clear evening.
My hair is twisted up elegantly in a French twist, leaving strands at either side of my face that curl. And instantly I regret every choice I made while getting ready.
