“Don’t threaten me, child. Have a seat. I will let her mother know you’re here. If she wishes to let you back, she will come find you.”
I grunt but listen to the woman. She’s as tough as nails. I can tell she won’t budge.
My heart hurts when I think about Izzy. Why is she here? What’s wrong? Is it cancer? Was there an accident? I stand and start pacing as the possibilities rush through my head. I consider calling my father. He could get information for me. People fear him. I bet he could have that woman quivering.
I can’t call him through. Izzy would never forgive me. He wouldn’t understand. He doesn’t agree with my relationship with Izzy. He lets me have my fun now, but he says she isn’t the woman I am to marry. He plans to pair me off with the daughter of one of the higher men in the organization.
I briefly consider calling Bash, but I don’t want to involve him. While we are friends, I haven’t told him how important Izzy is to me. I haven’t told anyone. Information like that is dangerous. It can be used against you. While Bash is my friend, I can’t trust anyone. That’s one lesson my father made sure I know.
So instead of taking action, I let my fear control me. It seems like days, but really it’s only hours later when Mrs. Dellaco finally comes out.
“Is she okay?”
She sneers at me. She’s never cared for me much. “She will be fine, Giovanni. Go home.” She turns to leave, but I grab her arm.
“I need to see her. I’m not leaving until I do!”
She pulls out of my grasp. “Keep your hands off me. She doesn’t wish to see you.”
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Dellaco. Please. Let me see her. She doesn’t know the whole story. I only want to make sure she’s okay. I want to explain what happened tonight. Please.”
She shakes her head. “You would prefer to do this the hard way? Fine.” She reaches into her purse and pulls out an envelope before thrusting it into my hands. “Read this then leave. She doesn’t want your excuses.”
I look down at the envelope in my hand.
“I won’t leave. Tell her I love her. Tell her she means everything to me. Please.”
I watch her mother’s eyes soften slightly. “I will tell her, but it won’t matter. Read the letter and leave. Do it for her.” She turns and leaves without waiting for my response. I watch until I can’t see her anymore. Instead of following her like my instincts want me to, I turn and head outside. I find a bench and grip the letter.
I slowly pull the paper out and find one single sheet of paper.Cuore mio’s handwriting is evident from the first words.
Giovanni,
You will never know how much I truly loved you. My heart aches for you even now. My mind hates you though. My mind cannot trust my heart any longer. I followed you blindly into this. A dumb child who didn’t know any better. I know you will not give up so easily, so this letter is to help you move on.
I can never forgive you for what you have done. My heart is broken in a million pieces. I love the boy you were, not the man you have become. I can never love a man who would be a part of an organization that is so ruthless and bloody. You have proven that this is an organization you wish to follow.
Please, if you love me at all, if you have ever felt any inkling of emotion for me, if you care about me, please respect my wishes.
I don’t want to be with you anymore. My heart will mend, but it will never be the same. It will never love the same. It will never love you again. Please leave. Don’t try and contact me. No more phone calls. Respect my wishes and leave me alone. If I could make it happen, I would never lay eyes on your face again. Since we live in this city together, all I can ask is that if you see me, do not speak to me. Act as if you don’t know me. I do not want to be mixed up in the organization. I want to live a better life. One not bound by the restrictions of your family.
Please respect these wishes to prove your love for me for it is the only way I will know that you truly love me.
Yours truly,
Isabella
A single tear falls on the page as I reread her words, each one a knife to my heart. I could never deny her anything. I promised her I would give her everything within my power.
So even if it kills me, I will respect her wishes. I will prove my love for her with this task.
I will let her go.
I grab Isabella’s hand and tell her with all that I am, “Never again, Iz. I swear to you, I will be with you from this day forward, whether you want me or not. I will always be there for you.”
“Oh, Giovanni, don’t you realize you’ve already been doing that? When I’ve been hurt, you’ve been there and haven’t left. You’ve silently been proving yourself to me for a while now.” She takes a big breath and squeezes my hand tightly. “You and me, Gio,” she murmurs.
“You and me,” I tell her while leaning forward and capturing her lips with mine.
