Page 33 of Mine Again (Mafia Bride #2)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Isabella

S ebastian’s mouth moves over mine, slow and deep, as the waves crash against our feet. The water is cool, and the seafoam froths around our ankles.

He’s taken me to the beach today, while Mamma believes I’m only strolling the markets. Since Father’s death, we’ve been allowed more time outside the estate, and I’ve taken full advantage.

My fingers slide up his chest, curling at his collar, drawing him closer.

The world is nothing but the taste of salt on his lips, the steady strength of his hands at my waist, and the sea’s endless rhythm filling my ears.

I lose myself in him for a while, in the warmth of his body, in the way his kiss feels both tender and possessive. He kisses me like he means it, like this is a promise of something more.

And I let him.

Because I want this. I’ve decided. I want him.

Mia’s words flicker in my mind, threading through the haze of the moment.

You should stay back when we go to Chicago and close the deal .

But how? How do I get there?

Sebastian draws back slightly, his forehead resting against mine, his breath warm on my skin. His thumb brushes my jaw, lingering in a way I’ve come to like.

“You’re quiet today,” he says, searching my eyes.

“There’s a lot on my mind.”

“Share with me.” In true Sebastian fashion, it’s more of a demand than a request.

I let out a sigh and nuzzle into his chest, debating how to approach this.

“My mother announced a few days ago that we’re all going to visit friends in Chicago.”

“What? When is this supposed to happen?”

“In a week. But…” I push away so I can look up at him. “I don’t want to go.”

Something passes through his eyes, but it’s hard to define what it is.

“You’re twenty-two, Isa. Surely you can make your own decisions.”

Ha, there’s a concept.

“It’s not that easy. My family expects… compliance.”

He watches me as if waiting for more. When I don’t offer it, he lifts my face in his hands, his sapphire-blue eyes locking on mine with an intensity that makes my heart stutter.

“Isa, I’ve been enjoying our time together. I don’t want to be apart from you. Not even for a few days.”

His confession sets my heart racing, heating my cheeks.

“More like two or three weeks,” I correct him softly.

His eyes widen, not in a comical way, and certainly not with pleasure.

“That’s way too long.” He searches my face again, something hardening in his gaze. “Tell me about your family. Why are they so… insistent?”

I can see the word he really wanted to use. Controlling. But maybe he caught himself, realizing he has a bit of that in him too.

“What did you mean when you said your family is traditional? ”

I draw a breath, tasting the salt air. The words catch at the back of my throat before I let them slip free.

“My father arranged our marriages. We were currency to him. Every match had a purpose, a gain.”

I don’t tell him about the spreadsheet Uberto found. It was color-coded for each daughter, filled with names, connections, pros and cons, and notes on how far Father had gotten in his negotiations.

Luca’s name sat at the top of my list, not crossed out the way I would have expected, the others beneath it barely touched. My file hadn’t been updated in years. Why? Sadly, Father took those answers to his grave.

“Father died before he could finish the arrangements.”

Sebastian’s voice is soft. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

I shake my head. “Trust me, it wasn’t a loss. Please don’t think I’m heartless, but it was a relief. He wasn’t a good man.”

Sebastian studies me, his gaze steady, as if he’s seeing deeper than I meant him to.

“But you’re still not free to choose your own life?”

I bite my lip. The truth tastes bitter.

“I want to be. But women mean little in my circles. Sooner or later, someone will try to marry us off to strengthen their influence.”

He goes quiet. I see the wheels turning in his head. His jaw tightens, and his eyes darken as if he’s already decided something.

Then he turns fully to me, his expression fierce and certain.

“Let’s do this on our terms then.”

I stare at him, not sure I understand.

“Marry me,” he says. “We can be far away before they even realize what’s happened.”