Page 156 of Righteous Enforcer

"They don’t own me." She pats the space beside her. "Neither will you."

I sit, intrigued by her boldness. "Is that what concerns you about our arrangement? That I'll treat you as property?"

"Isn't that what I am? A payment in your alliance?"

“You're more than a transaction." I don’t know why I say that because she is a payment, or more accurately, collateral. A way to make sure Marco Vitale doesn’t fuck with me again.

"Am I?" Her eyes harden. "Tell me something real. One thing that isn't strategy or obligation."

"I miss my father every day, but I'm terrified of becoming him." The confession surprises me. I've never admitted that to anyone.

"Eva said you're nothing like him." Her voice softens. "She said you're better. Harder to read, but with more humanity beneath the surface."

"Eva is being kind. Probably to keep you from getting too scared.”

“I’m not scared of you, although I guess I should be.” Isabella shifts closer. "Your siblings adore you. I watched them tonight. They admire and respect you. Even Adriano, who seems like he'd sooner punch someone than hug them."

I laugh despite myself. "Accurate assessment." Except, of course, when he’s around his wife and daughter. Then he’s a total sap.

"I want what they have," she admits quietly. "Not just security or status. I want what your siblings found."

"Love?" I get a sinking feeling. I can give her a great deal, but I can’t give her love.

"Connection." Her hand finds mine, and for reasons I can’t explain, I wrap my fingers around hers. "I've been raised to be someone's wife my whole life. A perfect, silent ornament that can serve tea and run fundraisers. But I'm more than that."

Looking at her, I see a woman with fire in her eyes. Not a mindless beauty, but someone with depth and intelligence.

"I think you are," I agree.

Her lips curve into a genuine smile, the first I've seen directed at me. Something shifts between us. It feels like I’ve stuck myfinger in a light socket. Electricity crackles through my veins. The urge to taste her becomes impossible to resist.

I lean forward. Her eyes flutter closed…

"Isabella?" Her brother's voice shatters the moment. "What the hell is this?"

To be continued.