“Husband and father, Pa would have been proud of you.”
“Thanks, just know he would have been proud of you too.”
I don’t think so, but it’s nice of him to say it.Pa would have probably killed my ass if he knew I was on drugs.
“Thanks. Where’s Tristan?”
Massimo rolls his eyes. “Out getting some special wine for the meal.He forgot it earlier. I told him it was fine but Isabella insisted she needed it for the main course.She’s cooking tonight.”
As if on cue we both hear a plate smash in the kitchen.
I look around to the kitchen to see a blond-haired and blue-eyed toddler standing in the doorway gearing up to throw down another plate.
“Bad mama,” he says giggling, and launches the plate.It joins the other one on the floor and smashes.
Isabella rushes up to him with a dustpan and brush.
“Giacomo stop it,” she chides.
While Massimo shakes his head, I remember the last time I saw her and all the things I said.I was vile and horrible and there she is in the kitchen making me dinner.
Isabella is Mortimer Viggo’s daughter and Emelia is Riccardo Balesteri’s.Both were daughters of our enemies, but both were children who were raised in the darkness of their father’s worlds.Emelia was a complete contrast to Isabella, however.She didn’t know how evil her father was until the end.Isabella was fully aware her father was the devil himself and had a horrible life for it.Yet, I treated her the worst.
I was in the height of my addiction when she came on the scene, and to me, she was the enemy's daughter, guilty by association.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
“I’m gonna go help her,” Massimo says, “Looks like she needs it.That kid is just like Tristan.”
“Actually, can I go?” I offer.“I just want a minute to talk to her.”
The instant I say that Massimo understands.He’ll remember how I treated her.
“Sure. Call me if you need me.”
I dip my head agreeing and make my way into the kitchen.It smells like heaven in here and there’s an assortment of food laid out on the countertops that remind me of being in a restaurant.
Isabella is so focused on sweeping up all the broken pieces of the plate that she doesn’t see me.
Giacomo is the first to spot me and give me a wide smile revealing two little teeth in his gummy mouth.First, he runs over to his little toy box to get a matchbox car, then he returns to me with it.
“For you,” he says to me, and his eyes sparkle.
“Thank you, little guy.”
At the sound of my voice, Isabella looks up at me, and nervousness fills her beautiful face.With her white-blonde, petite frame, and bright green eyes she always reminded me of a fairy.
“Hi, sorry I didn’t see you there,” she says rising to greet me.She glances down at her summer dress and notices the huge red stain all over the front from the sauce and frowns.“My gosh, I also don’t usually look like this for dinner.I swear it will taste great though.”
She’s nervous. Because of me.
“I’m sure it will. Thank you for inviting me to dinner.”
She looks surprised. “Oh, of course.Welcome home.” She puts out her hand to shake mine and I take it, dipping my head with the same respect we show the wives in the family.
“Thank you.” I release her hand and she looks like she’s not sure what to say to me.Given our past, I wouldn’t know what to say to me either.“Isabella I owe you a long overdue apology.The last time you saw me I wasn’t myself and I said some terrible things.I didn’t mean them. My brother is lucky to have you.I realize I didn’t exactly paint the best picture of myself.” That’s an understatement.That was the night I shot Candace.This woman has every right to think I’m a worthless piece of shit.
“No apologies needed,” she replies and warmth fills her eyes that makes me relax.“I understand and it really is good to have you back.”