I help Izzy into my car, then pull away from the curb, my hand gripping the wheel so tight my knuckles turn white. I try to force the tension out of my body, breathing deeply, but it’s no use. Seeing Izzy hurt—again—fucking broke me.
This is exactly why I never wanted her in my world. And yet… it’s not even my world that’s a danger to her. She’s in the middle of it.
The drive is quiet until Izzy turns to me, face scrunched in confusion. “Uhh, this isn’t the way home.”
Goddamn. Hearing her call the apartmenthomedoes something warm and gooey to my insides.
“We’re not going home.”
I don’t offer any further explanation, and surprisingly, she doesn’t ask.
We pull up to an airstrip where my private jet is waiting.
“Where are we going?” Izzy asks as I take her hand, gently guiding her towards the plane.
“Home.”
She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “You’re not making sense. You just said we’re not going home.”
“Not that home.”
I’m pretty sure she mutters, “Pazzo stronzo10,” before walking up the steps and disappearing on board.
I nod at my security team then join her, finding her settling into one of the white leather seats, a contended smile on her lips.
Looking at me, as I make my way slowly toward her, she smirks. “This is fancy.”
I tilt my head. “No fancier than your fathers would have been, I imagine.”
Her expression morphs, a sadness to it. I curse myself for bringing him up.
“I wonder what he’d think of me now,” she muses, eyes shining with unshed tears.
“He’d be so proud of you, Izzy,” I tell her, taking the seat opposite her.
She shakes her head, just slightly. “I don’t know.” I don’t even get a chance to argue with her. “He wanted me to take over his place in Phoenix, to carry on his work. But look at me.” She sucks in a breath, fiddling with her hands. “I haven’t worked for them in months. The investigation into Lucas has stalled. They’re fucking winning.”
I’m out of my seat in seconds, on my knees in front of her. “They are not winning,Cuore mio.” I swipe at a rogue tear escaping down her cheek. “Just because it’s taking longer than expected, doesn’t mean you’ve failed. We’ll take him down, together. I promise.”
She sniffles, then nods, pulling back.
Instead of going back to opposite her, I sit beside her, taking her hand and stroking her smooth skin for the rest of the flight. We don’t speak much. We don’t have to. We’re just… us.
32
Need To Know You’re Alive
I got asked to the end of year dance by Anthonio. He gives me the creeps though. I’ve decided to go by myself. —Iz
Enzo
“Tesoromio,perchénonmi hai detto che saresti venuto atrovarmi11?"
Mamma throws her arms around me, shaking me back and forth with surprising strength.
“Ahi12,” I grunt. I always forget how strong she is.
She pulls back and finally notices Izzy at my side. “Isolde!Sei più bella che mai13,” she exclaims.
