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My stomach twists. He's having the time of his life, while leaving me to rot here.
I open the communication logs Clara sent over. Cryptic messages about a meeting, an exchange, eliminating a problem. Coded language, but the implication is clear.
My breath catches as I land on a thread titled "D.T." My father's initials.
Juan: It needs to be done. The men are becoming a liability.
Unknown: I'll take care of it. Clean and quick.
Juan: You better. Or the secret will be out. NO LOOSE ENDS!!!
The messages end there. Bile rises in my throat.
I will find out why and who they killed. I will uncover whatever Juan and Conti are hiding, at all costs. For you, Papá.
I take a deep breath to steady myself, scrolling through more files. Bank statements, travel records, encrypted emails. Pieces of the puzzle, but no clear picture yet.
I get off the bed to go take a long shower. I need more time to think, without letting Stefano know something is bothering me.
Clara’s words run through my head. My cousin Juan and Conti are involved in something far deeper than their common goal of protecting me. This makes sense, given how Juan hasn’t been bothered by the conditions under which I’m being kept.
The messages Juan shared, with unknown people, to protect a secret seem downright sinister. The secret can’t be that they murdered my father’s killers for if it was that, they wouldn’t openly brag about it.
What secrets are they keeping?
I feel so useless and helpless here. I wish I was back in Jalisco, helping Clara, at the helm of all there is to discover.
For now, however, the most helpful thing I can do is to focus on my mission and not allow anything to derail it.
Just then there’s a knock at the door.
“Isa…?” I hear Stefano’s soft voice, checking in on me.
“Good morning,” I shout back, chirpily. I turn off the water and grab a towel. Stefano can never know for he is now already suspicious of his Capo and if I give him a reason, any reason, I fear he’d erupt and in a fit of rage, do something to confront Capo Conti, which could hinder my plans to spy from the inside.
And so, I put on a smile, saunter over to the door, push it open and lean against the frame, in nothing but my towel.
"Miss me?" I ask lightly, curling a strand of hair around my finger. He eyes me for a moment before reaching over and pulling me close.
"Always," he murmurs into my hair.
My conscience is trying to assert itself. I hate lying to Stefano. But what other choice do I have if I wish to continue while ensuring both he and I remain safe?
Chapter 30
Stefano
Thewarmsunfiltersthrough the curtains, bathing the room in a gentle golden glow. Isabella's soft breaths fill the air as her green eyes dance with mischief.
She's wrapped in my arms, her wavy hair cascading halfway down her back, and I can't help but think how nice it is to spend time alone with her like this – no Capo, no mob politics, no danger. Just us.
"Stefano," she whispers, her lips brushing against my chest. "I never thought we'd have moments like this."
"Neither did I," I admit, tightening my hold on her. With every curve of her body pressed against mine, I realize I'm dreading the day the Capo returns and casts his shadow over our lives once more.
"Promise me something," she says, her voice barely audible. "No matter what happens, never let go of me."
"I promise," I reply without hesitation.
