Taming the Ruthless Don

an Italian restaurant in C

do's immediate family and ours, so there are just seve

nough to hea

ince we sat down. So far, the conversation's been dom

ockmarked temple, and the sight

? You s

his office. Everyone can sense something is wrong. My sister's supposed to be getting married i

ill

ing the wine in his glass, a notch between his brows. I glance to my right, over Isabell

s a bit uncertain. He lifts his brows, like he

im. He's just as bad

secret, what's not thrilling is knowing that the best-case

never marr

'll break that vow

a moment later, the

how it went, but she's looking at the ground as she hurries over. As soon as

ezes bac

t good

nardo stops at the head of the table

ion to him. Scul

d into a firm,

the sleek tailoring of

rwear model, but in this one, the only thing he's modeling is

ork has seen in decades, but he's already ga

wn my spine. I might

bout the consequences of my actions. Papà and Mamma have spent their lives trying to keep me on a tight leas

t know Isabella often paid th

nd over his black silk tie

ond, my l

it. It'

n Leonardo and Isabella. "Take a breath, Garzolo

bride," Leonardo says. "An

turns red.

itted to it herse

een ever since she returned to us.

saying," Isabella says

s to me like she's quite in control

ind him. "This is a misunderstanding.

's not going anywh

Isabella, but my brother beats me to it. Gi

," Isabella spits out, p

decided. I won't be

closer, but Giovann

," my bro

rls at him. "Isabella, what t

her fist agai

happy, only to get beaten by you and emotionally abused by Mamma. You've never loved me. I don't think you've

hear i

ay, I'm pregn

e a picture of their shocked expressions so that I'd h

to be my wife," Leonardo drawls, cutting thr

y delivered what I promised. I got you out of prison, and I go

o do?" Papà rasps. He'

d no

o's gaze falls on me. "So I'

ople are repelled by their icy scrutiny, but right no

vaguely

. I don't break eye contact even though it feels li

artnership. It's a prison. And I'm not the

ed to control me, the more I rebelled. I was going to find a way out of t

s all over n

rom my future husband

z

t. This isn

happy with Ras and her baby. My dreams have always been just th

ows that gir

he pounding in my ears. I flinch even though it

bought it, given Papà was the one who walked in on us in bed. The truth is all we did was some heavy petting,

it's what stops Isabella from getting a

my future wife. Good thing they're completely unfounded. From now on, anyone wh

oes dry. Jeez, he's adjust

e needs to clean up my reputation,

pales. "I didn't

ps his hands. "The ma

one final squeeze. "It's done." She gives

ave. Papà starts shouting in protest, but Leonardo's men

rdo walks around the table to where

n me is firm but not painful. I let him lift m

, shoves me inside, and slides in after me.

starts the car, his eyes briefly m

ainst the cool window and try to co

r. Did he do the same to you?" Leonar

sideway

" I

Isab

houlders, not

arly incompetent when it comes to overseeing his daughters. There won't be any further change

s incompetent in many w

ere won't be any snea

kes my chin in his hand. His touch burns against my sk

ips into

s man, I'm sign

im the smallest of n