The day I met her, I’d known she was the one. I’d been free-falling for years, drowning myself in booze and women. Then on that gorgeous sunny day, Isla walked into my building and changed my life.
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I remembered how quiet and obedient she’d been during the interview for the remodel of a resort and casino I’d acquired in Southern California. She’d sat there like a frightened mouse. The prettiest little mouse I’d ever seen.
The following week, I’d asked her to lunch, and she’d politely declined without hesitation, saying…I don’t mix business with pleasure, Mr. Remotti.
My smile broadened into a full grin as I recalled feeling challenged. No one had ever made me chase them before, and that was when I knew Isla was different from most women. My money and good looks hadn’t fazed her.
It had taken weeks to convince her to have dinner with me. She’d claimed she didn’t want to complicate her life. College was her focus—interior design was her passion.
The only reason she’d been at the interview was because her boss liked her and wanted her to be a silent observer.
But I believed fate had brought us together.
Isla’s rejections had been sweet and honest, but they hadn’t stopped me from pursuing her. Not even our age differencehad given me pause. In fact, the chase had been the most thrilling of my life.
Isla had been a breath of fresh air in my dark, dank criminal world, for someone so young, just barely twenty.
Everything about her had called to my soul: her warm honey-colored eyes, her sweet scent, and her calming voice. There wasn’t a brash or conceited bone in her body. She’d been the most down-to-earth and caring person unlike the women I usually encountered.
Isla had been everything I never knew I needed.
But our relationship wasn’t ever easy. School kept Isla busy in California, while I worked and lived in Canada at my family’s estate.
The tabloids hadn’t done me any favors either, posting images of me with models and social media influencers every fucking week.
Isla had been tested numerous times and from every angle. For being so young, she’d impressed me considerably.
However, the biggest issue had always been withme.
Before Isla, drinking and women had helped me forget the past and to rise as next in line to take over when my father retired.
After Isla entered my life, I didn’t need to drink myself stupid or have random hookups. Isla had saved me from the destructive path I’d been on.
No matter what she had believed, she was enough, more than enough, but I’d fucked up.
I hadn’t been blind or deaf to Isla’s insecurities, just an asshole ignoring her feelings while women flirted with me in front of her. Bold, snotty bitches who basically pushed Isla aside and spat in her face, and I let them.
Yes, I could’ve stopped them, but I was a public figure andthe most sought-after billionaire in the world. Causing a scene wouldn’t have been good for my reputation.
Cocky much, Ciro?Assolutamente.
Still, I could’ve made more of an effort to show we were in a committed relationship, instead of leaving her to fend off the cunning women on her own.
Hindsight was always fucking twenty-twenty. By not protecting Isla and making her my number one priority, I’d destroyed our relationship and caused my current state of misery.
A firm knock at the door made me recoil and jerked me out of my reverie. Before I could respond, Roman barged into my office.
“What’s this I hear about you going to San Francisco? Millie said you don’t have a return date. What’s going on?”
“Isla,” I told him honestly.
My brother dropped into the leather chair in front of my desk, his mouth gaping. “Isla? She called? When?” The instant concern on his face showed how much he cared about her. When I wasn’t paying attention, Isla had woven herself into my family and their hearts.
“No. I found her.”
“Are you saying you went looking for her?” He eyed me, a slight curl to the corner of his lips. He was such a jerk. Of all people, he knew I didn’t chase anyone, but I had gone after Isla from the start. He probably had a bet with Luca that I’d crumble before Isla would.
“She wasn’t hard to find. I found her profile on one of those employment sites. She’s working at a bistro,” I said with a scoff. It was like she’d hoped I’d find her.
