“He doesn’t get it, Wolf. Isla believes Ciro won’t commit to her. That she’ll never be more than his girlfriend.”
“That’s really sad.” Roman narrowed his eyes as if telling me with only a look that I was an idiot. He wouldn’t be wrong, rarely was he ever wrong about anything.
Rosa waddled toward my desk. “Brother, get on the jet and go to her. Do whatever it takes to assure Isla of your intentions and feelings.”
My brothers and I stared at our sister. The fire in her eyes was a first for me. She was going to be a wonderful, protective mother.
“I’m not sure how to get through to her.” Relationship stuff was never easy for me. I could be romantic, seduce women with my charm. But it had been all surface level. Superficial. Before Isla, anyway. Nothing had been superficial with her.
Still, putting my heart on the line, declaring undying love, and showing vulnerability wasn’t something I ever did… until now.
“A heartfelt apology is a good start,” Rosa replied.
“Heartfelt?” Luca pfft. “We’re Mafia men, sister. Not pussies.”
Rosa rolled her eyes. “You have a filthy mouth.”
“Women love my mouth,” Luca shot back.
Wolf growled and his laser eyes cut to Luca. He didn’t say anything and he didn’t have to for anyone to understand his meaning.
Roman cleared his throat to take the attention off Luca. “You support Isla. Help her with your daughter.”
“You all are too nice.” Luca sighed, approaching my desk. “Don’t give her any reason to doubt you. Show her you’reworth a second chance. And if she still rejects you, force her to return to Canada with you.”
Rosa and Roman threw their hands up in the air in unison, showing their frustration with Luca. The two of them had similar traits: patient, observant, wise beyond their years. And apparently, they hit their breaking point at the same time.
“I’m good at being a ruthless ass.” I winked at Luca. But I wanted real love with Isla and mistreating her to get what I wanted was a low I refused to sink to.
“You better not be mean to her.” Rosa grabbed her handbag. “I’m ready to go,” she told Wolf.
“Good.” Wolf jumped to his feet and quickly ushered my sister to the door.
“I know you’ll do the right thing, brother.” She waved at me and left.
My brothers and I waited for the door to close before speaking.
“What’s up with Courtney?” Luca asked. “I never liked that bitch.”
“That’s because you fell for my woman. Until Isla was in the picture, you were just fine with Courtney.” I rocked in my chair and folded my hands against my chest.
“I care about Isla like a younger sister. I’d be defensive for Rosa just the same,” Luca replied. Of course I didn’t believe his romantic feelings for Isla had faded, but I wouldn’t call him out on it. He knew what would happen to him if he tried anything with her.
“In any case, I’m taking Courtney to a rehab center in Los Angeles in the morning and from there I’ll go to the Bay Area. I should be there by the evening. I trust, you’ll both handle things in my absence.”
“Yes,” they said in unison. Roman was the least of my worries, which was why I’d been considering making him my underboss. He was an excellent Consigliere. Reliable and intelligent, and I trusted him. But it was difficult to give up my power. I thrived on controlling the family’s business. However, when I wasn’t available to deal with issues, I needed an underboss to take my place.
But moving Luca from Capo up to Consigliere to replace Roman gave me pause. Luca had a short fuse and a thirst for violence. He didn’t have the patience to dig deeper for information, nor did he have the charisma that Roman had with our business associates.
“I can have one of my men take Courtney so you can go directly to Isla,” Luca said.
“No, I need to do this. After tomorrow, I won’t see her again.” I just wished the facility could get her in today, but they’d said they wouldn’t have a spot for her until Friday after four. If everything went smoothly, I should make it to Isla’s in time to do Pippa’s bedtime routine.
“Whatever you say, boss,” Luca replied.
“What’s the status on Kira?” I asked him.
“He’s out of Canada,” Roman said.
