"We've been hit," Adriano says. "Coordinated attacks on three separate operations."
Just like that, the spell is broken. Anger surges. Plans for retaliation fill my mind. "Casualties?"
"Two of our men at the docks. Minimal damage otherwise. Luca and Cristian managed to contain most of it. I don’t think they expected Luca, and you know how he is."
I do. Luca doesn’t have enough feelings of self-preservation and way too much confidence and blood thirst. It’s what got him exiled from the family. But it made him efficient when violence was needed. And it terrified other families.
“How the fuck did this happen?” I'm already pulling on clothes with one hand. “Who knew about all three operations?"
There's a pause on the line. "That's the thing. The only recent change in our security protocols was?—"
"The Vitale alliance.” My eyes snap to Isabella, who sits up straighter at my tone. A dark suspicion blooms in my chest. The timing is too perfect. I’m half a world away on my honeymoon, distracted by my new bride.
"The information had to have come from inside," Adriano confirms. "And the only people who recently gained access to our inner circle?—"
"Are the Vitales. Mother fucker.” I shake my head at my stupidity. If my father were here, he’d shoot me himself for letting my guard down. “I'm coming back. See how long Luca and Cristian can stay."
I hang up, staring at Isabella. She's pulled the sheet higher, covering herself as if sensing the change in my demeanor.
"What's wrong?”
I don't want to believe she could be involved in this betrayal. But I wasn't raised to trust. I was raised to survive.
"Did you know?” My anger echoes through the room. "Did you know what your father was planning?"
Isabella flinches. Her eyes widen with confusion that looks genuine. "What are you talking about?”
"Don't play dumb," I snarl, fighting against the urge to believe she truly is unaware. "Your family just hit three of my operations simultaneously. The timing is perfect, isn't it? Get me away fromNew York, distracted with..." I gesture at her in the tangled sheets.
Her face drains of color, and shock, hurt, and then anger flash in her eyes. "You think I slept with you as some kind of distraction?”
"Tell me why I shouldn't think that."
She rises from the bed, dragging the sheet with her. "Because this honeymoon was your idea, Alessandro.Youbrought me here.Youchose Capri." Her voice grows stronger, angrier. "And if you recall, I didn’t want you to touch me.”
She’s right. I had to work hard to seduce her, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t aware of her father’s actions.
“And finally, because my father has never shared his business with me. Ever. I was raised to look pretty and keep my mouth shut. My only job is to be the perfect Mafia bride."
The bitterness in her tone gives me pause.
"For all I know," she continues, "this could be your elaborate setup to justify killing my family."
I run a hand through my hair, conflict tearing me apart. But I quickly remember that this sort of indecision is exactly what is going to ruin me, to get me and my family killed.
"Get dressed," I say coldly. "Honeymoon's over."
Her chin lifts defiantly. "You don’t believe me?"
“Whether I believe you or not is irrelevant. My business was attacked. I have to deal with it.”
I watch her gather clothes, working to maintain her dignity, accepting, once again, that she has little agency in our world. It again makes me question whether I’m being unreasonable. Marco wouldn’t have told her his plan if only to make sure she didn’t tell me. But I know Marco only sees her as exactly what she said. An asset. He wouldn’t think her worthy of knowing about his business.
I make a decision that could either save me or destroy everything. "I'm choosing to believe you, Isabella. For now. Don't make me regret it."
"I don't need your belief," Isabella says, her voice tight. "But I deserve your respect."
I watch her for a moment, wondering how I’d lost myself in her last night, and now today, we’re back to where we were when we made our vows. Cool. Aloof.
