3
I helped Papa settle into his bed at our family estate, now guarded by Marco’s men stationed discreetly around the perimeter.
“You sure you’ll be okay?” I adjusted his pillows,
discuss.”
fussing.” He caught my hand. “I’ve survived worse. Go. We both know you and Marco have things to
I kissed his forehead and left him in the capable hands of our family doctor. Marco waited in the hallway, his jacket slung over one shoulder.
“Ready?”
I nodded, following him to his car. The drive to his mansion was quiet, my mind racing with everything I’d learned. When we arrived, I followed him inside, through the grand foyer and into his private wing.
“Drink?” He headed straight for the bar cart.
“No. I need a clear head for this conversation I sank into one of his leather armchairs. “Why didn’t my father tell
me about your alliance?”
Marco handed me water instead. “He wanted to, but I insisted on keeping it quiet. The fewer people who knew, the safer everyone stayed.”
“And now?”
“Now things are changing ” He rolled up his sleeves, revealing strong forearms. “The Kabbaros think they’ve weakened your family by targeting your father. They’ll be watching to see how we react.”
“What they’ll see is a desperate marriage alliance.”
“Exactly.” Marco’s lips curved. “Let them think that’s all this is.”
I studied him across the room. “Is that all this is?”
He met my gaze, something intense flickering in his eyes. “You know it’s not.”
“Do I?” I set down my glass. “A few hours ago, I thought I knew who you were. Now…”
“Now you’re wondering if anything was real.” He crossed to my chair, crouching before me. “Ask me anything. Isabella. No more secrets between us.”
His proximity sent my pulse racing. Up close, I could see the flecks of gold in his brown eyes, the slight stubble on his jaw. He waited, patient, letting me process everything.
“Why me?” I whispered. “Really.”
Marco’s eyes held mine, his expression more open than I’d ever seen it.
“Because from the moment I saw you return to Chicago, I knew you were different. You walked away from this life once, tried to build something real. But instead of breaking you, that betrayal made you stronger.”
I swallowed hard. “You’ve been watching me since I came back?”
“I keep tabs on all the families. But you…” He reached up, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You fascinated me. Most people born into our world either embrace the darkness or run from it. You chose to face it head–on, to carve your own path.”
His touch lingered, sending warmth through my skin. I pulled back slightly, needing space to think clearly. “So what – you decided I’d make the perfect wife for your plans?”
Mafia Queen (ngaged to The Lion
“No.” Marco stood, pacing to the window. “I decided you’d make the perfect partner Someone who understands both sides of this life. Someone strong enough to help reshape it”
“Into what?”
“Something better.” He turned back to me. “The old ways are dying, Isabella. Blood feuds, senseless violence it’s destroying families like yours. But there’s another way. Legitimate business. Community protection. Real influence, not just fear.”
“And you think we could do that together?”
“I know we could.” His voice dropped lower. “But only if you want it. Only if you choose it – choose me – for yourself. Not just to save your family.”
I stood, closing the distance between us. “How can I choose when I don’t even know who you really
“Then let me show you.” He held out his hand. “No masks, no pretense. Just us, figuring this out together”
I stared at his offered hand, my heart pounding. Everything in me screamed this was dangerous – letting him in.
trusting again. But something deeper whispered that maybe, just maybe, this time could be different
I placed my hand in Marco’s, his warmth spreading through my fingers. “Show me then.”
“First, dinner.” He led me through the mansion to a cozy dining room I hadn’t seen before. “I figured you haven’t
eaten all day.”
“I haven’t thought about food.” The rich aroma of pasta hit my nose as we sat at the intimate table
Marco poured us both wine. “Your father will be safe tonight. Let yourself breathe”
“Is that what you do? Just breathe between crises?”
“I’ve learned to find moments of peace where I can.” He passed me a plate of fettuccine. “Like sharing a meal
with someone who understands.”
I twirled pasta on my fork. “How many people know? About your real position?”
“A select few. My inner circle, some key allies.” He took a sip of wine. “Your father figured it out years ago. That’s
partly why he trusted me to protect your family.”
“And the Kabbaros? Do they know?”
“They suspect I’m more powerful than I appear. But they don’t know the extent.” Marco’s eyes met mine. “That’s been my advantage – letting them underestimate me while building something bigger.”
“Like what you want us to build together?”
“Yes.” He set down his glass. “But I meant what I said. I won’t rush you into anything. Take time to know the real
me first”
I studied him across the candlelight. Without his usual careful facade, I saw new depths in his expression –
determination mixed with something softer.
“And if I decide this isn’t what I want?”
“Then I’ll still protect your family. My word on that stands regardless.” He leaned forward. “But I think you‘ curious. About what we could accomplish together.”
My lips curved. “Maybe I am.”
“Then let’s start there.” Marco raised his glass. “To getting to know each other – properly this time.” I clinked my glass a
against his, the wine catching the candlelight. For the first time since my father’s attack, I felt steady ground beneath my feet. Not certainty – but possibility.
