Page 55 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride

"Listen to me," Blackwood continues, his tone softening to something almost paternal. "We're close to bringing down LaCorona. Your mother would want justice, not just for her death, but for all the lives these families have destroyed."

There's a pause, and my breath holds as I wait for her response.

The silence stretches between them, filled with the weight of her decision.

My hand tightens around my phone, every muscle in my body tense as I wait.

"I need more time," she finally says, and anger and something that feels like disappointment fill me.

"Time is running out," Blackwood warns. "If you can't get me what I need, I'll have to pursue other avenues. And I won't be able to protect you when everything comes crashing down."

The threat is thinly veiled, and white-hot anger courses through me.

This Fed is threatening my wife. My wife who is betraying me.

She’s quiet for long moments again. "I appreciate everything you've done to help me, but I think… I think I need to find another way to get to the truth."

It takes a moment for her words to register. She’s backing out.

"Another way?" Blackwood's voice sharpens. "What does that mean?"

"It means I'm not comfortable with this anymore." There's a new resolve in Isabella's tone. "I think there's more to this situation than what you've told me."

My breath catches. She's choosing to trust me, or at least to question Blackwood's narrative.

In the middle of all this chaos, with her life hanging in the balance, she's choosing to see beyond what she's been told about me, about my family.

"Isabella, don't be naive," Blackwood warns. "These men are killers. They've manipulated people far more experienced than you."

"Maybe," she concedes, "but I need to figure this out my way now."

"You're making a mistake," he says, his voice hardening. "One that could cost you everything."

"I'll contact you if I change my mind," Isabella says firmly. "Goodbye, Agent Blackwood."

The call ends, and I stand frozen in my office, processing what I've just heard. Isabella chose to step back from Blackwood's manipulation.

I should feel triumphant.

This is exactly what I needed, confirmation of her FBI contact, evidence of her pulling away from him.

But instead, what fills me is pride in her strength, her willingness to seek truth on her own terms.

And beneath that, something even more dangerous.

Affection. Trust.

10

ISABELLA

I lie awake, staring at the ceiling, Agent Blackwood's voice still echoing in my head.

“Your mother would want justice, not just for her death, but for all the lives these families have destroyed.” The same words he's been feeding me for months.

But now, I’m wondering if he’s just using me. Roman’s words have made me question Agent Blackwood.

My fingers trace my lips, still tingling from Roman's kiss.