Page 20 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride

I straighten my shoulders. Whatever Isabella has done, whatever she knows, I'll handle it.

I've always been able to compartmentalize, keep the blood and brutality of my work separate from my home life. I'll need that skill more than ever now.

One thing I know for certain—I'll do whatever it takes to protect both my daughter and the family business.

If that means playing husband to a woman who thinks I'm a murderer, so be it.

If it means finding out who she's been feeding information to, I'll do that too.

And if it means eventually having to eliminate my own wife?

I push the thought away, not ready to face it yet.

4

ISABELLA

I stare at my reflection, hardly recognizing the woman in the white gown staring back at me.

Three days ago, I had an escape route, a future where I'd finally get justice for my mother.

My mind flashes back to that night. The dark street, the attacker, and Roman appearing like a shadow. The way he looked at me when I fought against him.

I'd been so close to meeting Agent Blackwood, so close to freedom.

Now I'm about to allow my father to hand my life over to another man. To a killer.

Ever since that night that Roman brought me home, my father has locked me away, confined to the house. I suspect he knew the truth, that I was trying to leave.

It was odd the way Roman appeared to cover for me.

To be honest, I was fairly certain he was bringing me home to kill me in front of my father to make a point.

Instead, he acted like we were on a date.

Like we were a real couple.

But we’re not.

I’m being forced to marry a man twenty years my senior who likely killed my mother. There’s no way in hell I’d ever fall for a man like that.

It feels surreal. Like I'm watching my life unfold from outside myself. This is not what I wanted in my life. Not what my mother wanted for me.

"Beautiful," my father says from the doorway, his eyes assessing me like merchandise being prepared for delivery.

"Don't." The word comes out sharp.

His face hardens. "Isabella, we've been through this. This wedding happens today. Roman Ginetti is a reasonable match."

"Reasonable?" I turn to face him fully. "You've handed me to a killer."

"He's a father with a good position in the Calabresi organization."

"He's their executioner."

Father steps closer, lowering his voice though we're alone. "You should be grateful I negotiated this instead of what La Corona wanted."

"I never asked for your protection," I whisper.