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Fuck it. One night out couldn't hurt. Isabella's been through hell since her father died and even more since she came here. She deserves this small joy and I am no longer in a position to deny her that, like I have so erroneously done in the past.
"Fine," I say gruffly. "But we have to make sure no one finds out. I'll have to sneak you out."
Isabella squeals and throws her arms around me. Her soft, warm body presses against mine, igniting a surge of affection within me. I inhale her sweet floral scent, my hands sliding down to grip her waist.
She pulls back, a coy smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, Stefano. You won't regret this."
My groin tightens at the promise in her voice. Tonight will be torture, being so paranoid of our adventures being discovered. But if it makes her happy, I'll endure the sweet agony and find a way so it doesn't fall on her. Her joy is worth my suffering.
"Go get dressed. Wear something ... comfortable. You might have to hide out in the boot of my car, or sneak out through a crack in the boundary wall. I'm not sure how, but getting out of here could get a little risky," I caress her cheek, my thumb tracing the curve of her smile.
Isabella kisses my palm before slipping out the door, her hips swaying to and fro.
I take a steadying breath and prepare to deceive the guards. For Isabella, I'd move heaven and earth. Her happiness is all that matters now. The Capo and his schemes be damned.
Isabella emerges from her room dressed in a seductive red dress that clings to her curves. Her hair tumbles over her shoulders in voluminous curls, and her lips are painted a sinful shade of crimson.
My breath hitches at the sight of her. She's always been beautiful, but tonight she's radiant, looking like an old-school Hollywood actress. The kind men would slobber over as she walked by.
"How do I look?" She spins, giving me a glimpse of her long, toned legs.
"Ravishing," I murmur, heat pooling in my groin. I ache to peel that dress off her body and explore every inch of her sun-kissed skin.
Isabella smiles, clearly pleased with my reaction. She saunters over and loops her arm through mine. "Shall we go?"
I nod, my throat tight. It'll be torture not being able to act on my desire.
We make our way outside, where my SUV is waiting. Isabella slides into the passenger seat, her skirt riding up to reveal a hint of lace stocking garters.
"Isabella," I remind her.
"Oh right, sorry," she murmurs, going to sit at the back seat of my SUV.
We're almost at the gates. My heart pounds as I slow the SUV, preparing to have Isabella hide. This is madness. If we're caught, the Capo will have my head.
But when I glance at Isabella, desire and determination etched into her beautiful face, I know this is a risk worth taking.
"It's time," I say, my voice rough with longing.
Isabella nods and jumps over the backseat, slipping under the blanket I hand her, concealing herself in the boot just as the guards step out of their booth.
My mouth goes dry as the guards approach, their hands resting on their holsters. "State your business," the taller one demands.
I force a casual tone. "Just going into town on a supply run ordered by the Capo."
The guards exchange a glance, suspicion etched into their features. My heart hammers against my ribs. Have they noticed the extra weight in the boot? The way the SUV seems lower to the ground? I'm just being paranoid.
"And the girl?" The guard's eyes narrow. "Where is she?"
Shit. I grip the steering wheel to hide the tremor in my hands. Now is not the time to lose my nerve. "Locked up and secure in the cottage also as per the Capo’s orders to me, his underboss. Your underboss. Do you question his authority? Or mine?"
The guards shift on their feet, a flicker of uncertainty passing over their faces. To question or disobey an order from the Capo would be fatal.
After a tense moment, the guards step aside. "Apologies, Signore. We did not mean to question the Capo's orders."
I give a curt nod, barely daring to breathe as I drive through the gates and onto the open road. We've done it. We've won our freedom, if only for tonight.
Once out of sight of the compound, I pull over and Isabella throws aside the blanket, climbing over the backseat and then to the front. I crush her in my arms. "We did it," I whisper, kissing her with unrestrained passion. She takes my hand and slides it up her dress. "That's for later," she teases, giving my lower lip a nibble.
