"You think she knew?" Adriano asks.
"I don't know." It’s the uncertainty that unsettles me. "Her surprise seemed genuine, but?—"
"But Marco Vitale is a snake."
I nod, remembering Father's warnings about letting anyone too close. Especially now, when we're vulnerable. My father was the strongest man I’d ever known, a Don everyone feared but the Bratva proved wasn’t invincible when they successfully killed him. I can’t trust anyone.
Yet I can still feel Isabella's skin against mine. The way she looked at me like maybe we could be more than just a business arrangement. It makes me feel things I can’t name and don’t want to because I fear they’re the very things my father warned me against. Care. Love. Trust.
"If the Vitales are behind this, we'll find out," Adriano says confidently. "And if they are, we’ll deal with them.”
I nod in agreement even as I know it could mean destroying the woman I'm afraid I have feelings for.
I dismiss Adriano, telling him to get some rest.
He rises from his chair to leave but hesitates at the door. "You should talk to her. Whatever happens?—"
"I'll handle my wife," I snap, not wanting to discuss my personal life with him.
I’m pretty sure he mutters “pussy” as he leaves, but at least he’s gone.
Alone in my office, I pour myself a drink, not ready to give in to fatigue when I don’t know who attacked my business.
I think back to my meeting with Marco where I confronted him.
"You dare summon me like some common soldier?" Marco's face had been flushed with indignation as he stormed into my office.
I'd remained seated, forcing him to stand before me like a chastised child. "Three of my warehouses were attacked. Two men dead. All within days of our families joining, and I was conveniently out of the country. You understand my concern."
"And you think I'm responsible?" Marco's outrage seemed genuine, but I'd seen better performances.
"I think it's quite the coincidence."
He'd slammed his hand on my desk. “Don’t you fucking blame me for your incompetence. It’s not my fault you can’t keep your house in order. Perhaps if you weren’t off fucking my daughter?—"
I'd been on my feet with my hand around his throat so fast, he never saw it coming. “You disrespect my wife again, and it will be the last words from your mouth.”
Adriano remained quiet, careful not to thwart my power, but I could feel concern radiating off him. Especially when Marco’s son pulled his weapon.
Marco had waved him down as he jerked from my grip. “It seems you’ve fallen for my daughter’s charm.”
“I respected her while she was yours.” Which wasn’t completely true if I counted fucking her before marriage as an act of disrespect. “Now you’ll respect her while she’s mine. She’s aDante, and if you have any doubts about her loyalty to me over you?—”
“Now, now, Alessandro. I have no interest in my daughter.” Marco’s eyes narrowed as if he was assessing me. “You have bigger concerns. The Dante empire is crumbling. Your father would be ashamed."
“Get the fuck out."
"This alliance was meant to strengthen both our families," he'd said, straightening his collar. "But your incompetence has cost us both. Fix this mess, or I'll reconsider our arrangement."
"Is that a threat?"
"It's a reality check. You need me more than I need you."
The memory makes my blood boil all over again because he’s not entirely wrong. I down my whiskey.
My instincts scream that Marco is behind the attacks. It's too convenient. The warehouses hit were the ones with the fewest Vitale connections. The timing, right after I married his daughter, when I'd be distracted. It reeks of his manipulation.
But I have no proof. Nothing concrete to justify retaliation. And with our operations already weakened, I can't risk an all-out war with the Vitales unless I'm certain.
