“You shouldn't. Love me, I mean. It's not safe."
"Do you think I chose this?" A flash of that defiance I've come to admire sparks in her eyes. "I didn't want to feel anything for you. Right now, I really wish I didn’t. But I do."
Something shifts inside me. I've been so focused on what she represents as the daughter of Marco Vitale that I've refused to see who she actually is. A woman caught between loyalties, trying to navigate an impossible situation. And she’s doing it with dignity and courage.
I take a step toward her, then another, until I'm close enough to catch the subtle scent of her perfume. My hand rises of its own accord, gently brushing away a tear from her cheek.
She looks up at me, her eyes wary, but she doesn’t pull away.
"I've been unfair to you. Blaming you for the sins of your father. Maybe I’ve been looking for proof that you're like your father."
“I’m not like him.”
"I need to start seeing you for who you are." The warning bells clang again. I shouldn’t believe her, shouldn’t trust her. But as I look into her beautiful eyes, I don’t see guile. I see a woman who wants to belong. A strong, smart woman who could be an asset to my family if I gave her a chance. Hell, perhaps she’s right in that we could forge something beyond a marriage of convenience.
And yet…
I've spent my entire life focused on business and avoiding emotions, especially those involving women. These feelings swirling in my chest terrify me.
Isabella watches me, her eyes filled with hope. “Can you do that?”
I stare at her, unable to answer. The hope in her eyes begins to dim.
"Alessandro?"
I turn away, moving to the window to put distance between us. When did I start caring what this woman thinks of me? When did her pain become mine?
"I can't give you what you want," I finally say, the words coming out harsher than intended. "I don't know how."
“You can’t see me for who I am?”
“I can’t trust you.” I roll my shoulders, but it doesn’t release the tension. “The only person I've truly trusted since my father died is Adriano."
I turn back to face her, needing her to understand. “This family, its survival is the only thing that matters.”
“I’m a Dante now. Aren’t I family?”
“Your blood runs with Vitale DNA.”
I think I could have struck her and the pain I'd see in her eyes wouldn’t be as bad as the words I just said.
“So nothing’s changed. You’re still going to hold me accountable for my father and brother?” Isabella takes a step toward me. "I'm not them."
"I know that," I snap. "Logically, I know. But this life doesn't allow for trust. The moment I forget that, people die."
I look at her and see someone who's caught in the same trap I am. Born into a world neither of us chose, trying to find something real.
She looks down. “Can you at least tell me you weren’t using me in Capri? Was it all just… fucking?”
I should tell her yes. It would hurt her, but then I could cut this tie that keeps pulling me back to her.
“I won’t lie that I wanted to gain your loyalty to me.”
“Oh.” She starts to turn away.
I reach out and take her arm in defiance of what my mind says I should do. “But, no, it wasn’t just fucking. I feel something for you.” The confession costs me more than she'll ever know. "ButI can’t be what you need. I can’t give you what a normal man would."
She holds my gaze, unflinching. "I didn't marry a normal man. I married you."
