Chapter12: THE PAST

ISABELLA’S P.O.V. Before she passed, my mother used to tell me that I always attracted the wrong kind of people. I thought she was just a raving old hater because I went out drinking with friends but it turned out she was right because only I would somehow attract the head of a mafia and his enemies. When Lorenzo told me who he was, I laughed. It sounded amusing at the time and I thought he was joking but I quickly learned that he was not. He truly was the head of a mob and showing me attention all those days in the casino had drawn more attention than he thought. I slapped him across the face and stormed out after. Technically, I couldn’t storm out because I wasn’t allowed to go home so I stormed into the house instead. That was two days ago and I was only allowed to go back home once my house was swept and I agreed to have guards on me at all times. It was more of Lorenzo demanding and me yelling than an agreement but if it kept me safe then I guess there wasn’t much I could do about it. It was my first time returning to work since then and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. The manager said nothing about my absence and I assumed it was because Lorenzo had said something to him. The day went completely well until Lorenzo walked in. He wasn’t with his usual array of men and this time he just walked across the bar and grabbed my arm. Bella wiggled her brows at me not knowing that what she thought was a far cry from what had been happening. He dragged me into the nearest bathroom and locked the door. “One year.” “Excuse me?” I asked. “You cannot just storm into my workplace and drag me away. You have no right.’ “I own this place, I can do whatever I want. Besides, I have an offer that you wouldn’t want to refuse.” I let out a frustrated growl. “The last time you did this, you asked me to marry you and I said no. Listen to me, Lorenzo. I don’t care about what you’re here to offer. I don’t want to be a part of any of this.” “It is too late for that, don’t you think?” I frowned at his words. “The way I see it, you’re already wrapped up in this. Even if I left you alone right now, there would still be people who would come for you thinking you know my secrets. I am offering you my protection.” “In exchange for what?” “One year. We get married for one year. I will keep you safe and no one will dare touch you. You will be under the protection of the DeLucia family. In this town and many others, that is more precious than gold.” “You don’t expect me to sign off one year of my life, do you?” I asked but he stayed silent and I sighed. “What happens after? If people already think I am one of you now, what will they think after I marry you for an entire year? They wouldn’t be stupid enough to think that we just got a divorce.” “You disappear.” My blood ran cold at his words and I took a slow step back. “I’m not going to kill you, Isabella, you can get rid of that idea. I meant you would leave the country and change your identity. Sicily is a beautiful place, I have family there and they will keep you safe. Greece is also an option. After the year is over, I will feign a fight between us and spread the rumor that I got rid of you.” It sounded too good to be true. I was the one reaping all the benefits. I didn’t know Lorenzo well but I knew men well enough to know that they didn’t do things unless they could benefit from it. “What is in it for you?” his brows scrunched in confusion. “What do you get out of marrying me except more responsibilities?” He smirked and closed the gap between us. “You. You may not believe it but you’re the first woman in a long time to keep my attention this long.’ “I guess I should be proud then,” I drawled in a bored tone. “Please give me my award. I’ll take it in the form of cash or a shopping spree.” I didn’t expect him to smile. “Just name a store, Cara.” He was too close so I took a step back and decided to change the subject. “I agree to your terms for marriage. I can do one year.” “I’ll have the documents ready for tomorrow.” Before I could respond, he gripped my hips and kissed me hard. One hand trailed up from my hips to tangle into my hair as his tongue delved into my mouth. I couldn’t stop myself from kissing him back hard and holding onto the lapels of his jacket for dear life. He pulled away from the kiss to press open-mouthed kisses on my neck. “I can’t wait to have you all to myself.” “Keep dreaming,” I quipped and he bit down hard enough to elicit a moan. “I will,” he pulled back and stared down at me with hunger. “Now you look like my fiancé.” “What?” my head was too cloudy to understand what he meant. He gently stroked my bottom lip with his thumb. “You’ll figure it out sooner or later.” Instead of explaining further, he gestured for me to walk out in front of him. I could feel the eyes of everyone on us as we made our way out. It hit me what he meant earlier. We definitely looked like we were doing something in that bathroom. Lorenzo had a hand on my hip and the heat from it had me itching to go back in and finish what we started. He leaned his lips into my ear when he spoke. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow,” I opened my mouth to protest but he cut me off. “If we are going to be married then we better start acting like it. You can’t stay in your house.” “That wasn’t part of our agreement.” He didn’t say anything, just pulled away from me. I expected him to leave but he placed a kiss on my forehead. It was intimate and not at all what I was expecting. “There are some men on table six. They’re mine. Do not leave this place without them, is that clear?” I nodded. “Good, because the target on your back just got a whole lot bigger.”