12. Isabella

"Ican't believe we missed the wedding," I mutter, smoothing out the front of my dress.

I'm in the front seat of Enzo's car and he's driving. He glances at me and arches an eyebrow.

"You're being really weird, Isa, and it's starting to freak me out."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, first off, you offered to come with me to the wedding," he starts.

"And that's weird how?"

He shoots me an annoyed look. "When have you ever gone out of your way to do something like this? You don't even know Katerina."

"I might not know her personally but I admire her from afar," I state. "And today I get to meet her."

That's not a lie. I really do admire Katerina Mincetti and all that she's been able to achieve. She's not only a well-established Don in the outfit—something only a woman or two have ever been able to achieve—but she's also a mother and now a wife. She found love and she found a family, all while being an integral part of the mafia. It almost sounds unbelievable. Women in our world never get to do all that she's done. I never would have thought it was possible until Katerina showed everyone that it was.

So, yes, I do admire her. But if I'm being honest, she's not the reason I'm going to the wedding.

"Also," I add, "the only reason I'm accompanying you is because your pregnant wife is too sick to make it to the event. I'm doing this out of the kindness of my heart."

Rosa is currently seven weeks pregnant, and I'm so glad they were able to get what they wanted. The morning sickness might be killing Rosa right now but I've never seen her as happy as she is in this moment.

And Enzo likes to act all tough, but his wife told me he actually shed a tear when they confirmed that she was really pregnant.

"That's the thing, though," my cousin mutters. "You never do anything out of the kindness of your heart."

"Just shut up and drive. At this rate, we might as well just miss the reception."

I waited for Enzo for two hours before he and the other capos arrived back at the house to get changed for the wedding. I don't know what they were doing, and I don't want to know. According to Enzo, they had urgent business that ran late.

He chuckles. "Why do you care?"

"Why don't you?"

"Because my appearance at the event is only a courtesy. Our family doesn't have close ties with them. But an invitation was extended and we have to go because our absence could be interpreted to mean that things aren't alright between our families."

"You already missed the wedding," I point out.

Enzo smiles. "I'm sure my appearance at the reception will be enough."

We finally arrive at the gate leading in to the venue. The security is tight, but after a couple of questions ascertaining our identities and a quick sweep of the car, we're allowed to drive in. I'm not sure why they were checking the car when they should be searching the men instead.

I'm sure Enzo has at least one gun on him right now. But I guess the Mincettis understand that they can't prevent them from coming armed. Enzo finds a parking spot after a few seconds and I quickly step out of the car. My stomach flutters as I stare at the building. I almost talked myself out of coming. It would have been so easy to back out. But I decided to be a big girl about it.

After all, I haven't seen him in months, and I did make a promise. The wedding of Katerina Mincetti to his brother is the perfect place to fulfil that promise. Another car parks right behind ours and Jason steps out, along with two other capos. They're here for protection, in case things go south.

Enzo steps around the car and gives me his arm. I wrinkle my nose at him before taking it. He starts to lead me into the building.

"We go in, greet the happy couple, have a drink, maybe eat something, and then we're out, okay? An hour tops."

I arch an eyebrow. "Are you expecting trouble?"

That would be horrible on Katerina's big day. Enzo shakes his head.

"This is the first time in a very long time that four powerful families have gathered together for an event. There's peace right now. But that could always change in an instant. So be careful and don't leave my side. Understand?"

"Sure," I tell him.

That's a lie. I fully plan to go off on my own and seek out Graham the minute Enzo's distracted. I just hope he doesn't see me before I see him.

We arrival inside the beautifully decorated ballroom. There are a lot of people in here, all of them standing around holding glasses of champagne and involved in one conversation or the other. My eyes roam the room, and I spot the newly married couple first.

Katerina Mincetti and Alexander Steele hold court in the middle of the room. She's already changed out of her wedding dress and is wearing a simple white cocktail dress that exudes elegance and sophistication. She looks stunning with her blonde hair in a slicked-back ponytail. Her arm is around her husband's. They both look amazing and happy.

"I see Rome," Enzo states. "Let's go talk to him first."

I nod distractedly, still looking around the room. But I don't see Graham anywhere. I let Enzo drag me along as he greets his friends. I smile and wave politely at all of them, but I'm more focused on finding Graham.

Where the hell is he?

Soon enough, Katerina and Alexander make their way over to our group. They exchange pleasantries with the De Lucas and then they're facing us.

"Enzo, I'm so glad you could make it," Katerina says warmly.

"Yeah, I unfortunately missed the wedding, but I do wish you two all the happiness," Enzo says to them.

"Thank you," Alexander nods.

It's a little surreal looking at him because he looks so much like his brother. There are some differences, of course, but they have a lot of similar facial features.

"This is my cousin, Isabella," Enzo introduces.

"Hi," I say with a small smile. "Congratulations."

"Thank you," Katerina states and I can't help but wonder how many times she's had to say that today. It must be tiring, but I'm guessing getting to spend a lifetime with her husband is worth it.

"I've heard so much about you," I say to her. "You look amazing."

"You do, too. And it's nice to meet you."

"You'd be interested to know, Katerina, that Isabella here is a big fan of yours."

I jab my elbow in my cousin's stomach for that comment. He simply chuckles, while Katerina smiles.

"I'd love to get to know you better, Isabella. We should hang out sometime?"

"Yeah, I'd like that," I assure her.

Someone appears to pull Alexander aside, a beautiful woman with caramel-brown eyes. She's wearing a violet dress that hugs her stunning figure. She could easily pull off being a model. I immediately recognize her as a Steele. Mikayla Steele, Graham's little sister. His siblings speak in low tones.

"Xan, do you have any idea where Gray is?"

At the sound of his name, my ears are trained to their conversation.

"Why would I know that?" her brother replies.

"He's your best man."

"And a pain in my ass."

"Well, Dad's looking for him and he's not answering my texts."

"Check outside or something, Kay. I don't know."

Alexander returns to join the conversation while his sister makes a noise of frustration before walking away. Following her might be my best shot at finding Graham.

"Excuse me," I say to the group.

Enzo arches an eyebrow in question. I mouth the word "bathroom" and he nods once, letting me go. I walk as fast as I can, chasing Mikayla out of the room. She doesn't notice me as I follow her to a hallway.

I start to wonder why I'm even going through all this trouble. I could simply ask for Graham and say I'm an old friend. They probably wouldn't care.

"There you are," I hear Mikayla say.

I immediately stop, ducking behind the wall. I would make a terrible spy.

"What's up?"

The sound of his voice has my heart racing. I inch my face closer to the edge of the wall so I can get a peek at them. Mikayla's standing in front of her brother. Three months and there he is, unchanged—the same dark wavy hair, the same emerald green eyes.

He's dressed in a black button-down, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to his elbows, and a violet suit jacket flung over one shoulder. His other hand is hooked loosely in the pocket of his pants. He looks completely at ease.

"Dad's looking for you."

Graham groans softly. "I don't know why he's bothering me so much. I'm not the one marrying into the mafia."

"There's a lot of tension in that ballroom."

"Yeah, I could feel it too," Graham mutters.

"Kat said it's the first time in a very long time all the important families have been gathered in one place. The first time they're not all fighting."

"Mincettis, D'Angelos and De Lucas—a reunion of the Italian mafia at my brother's wedding. No wonder dad's on edge. His fancy business partners and friends mixed in with the top dogs when it comes to organized crime in New York City."

I can hear the smile in his voice.

"Don't forget the Russos. They arrived not long ago," Mikayla adds.

I suck in a small breath. My heart is pounding as I listen in on their conversation. Thankfully, there's a wall between us so there's no way they can see me.

"Really?" Graham drawls. "I almost feel bad for Xander. This is a lot to take on."

"He loves Katerina. I don't think it matters to him. And she's a good person. There's good people among them."

"There are also criminals and murderers," Graham points out.

Every word feels like a knife cutting deep into my chest.

"Hey, you don't know—maybe you'll like some of them. They seem pretty cool. One of them—his name's Tony—is really cute, but he's apparently married. Most of them are married, actually. I wonder how many of them married of their own free will and how many did it out of love. I've heard arranged marriages are common in their world, just like ours."

"That doesn't really matter, though," Graham states. "I'm going to keep my distance while I'm in New York. Dad's watching me like a hawk and the last thing I want to do is get involved with the mafia, especially not now when he's finally starting to trust me."

I don't need to hear anymore. My heart feels like it's been shoved into a meat grinder. I hurriedly leave before they discover me here. I manage enough composure to re-enter the ballroom, heading straight for Enzo.

He frowns when he notices my expression. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I shake my head. "But I really need to leave. Can one of the capos drive me home? I know you just got here, but I need to go. Please?"

He studies my face for a moment before nodding. "Yeah, alright. I'll ask one of them to drive you."

"Thanks. I'm going to the parking lot to wait."

I walk away, heading straight for the exit. Graham's words keep ringing in my mind. I had a feeling he would think that way, but I guess I deluded myself into thinking it wouldn't matter.

I'm so upset I'm not watching where I'm going, and I crash into someone as soon as I step out of the room.

"Woah," he says with a small laugh, wrapping his arms around my waist to prevent me from falling.

I look up and my eyes clash with emerald green eyes. Graham. His expression goes through a range of emotions—amusement, confusion, shock. His eyes widen.

"Holy shit, Isabella?"

We stand like that for several long moments. His arms are around me, and for a second I pretend that I didn't hear what he said. I think about how much I wanted to see him. I anticipated this moment, and now it's all ruined.

"Let me go," I snap, pulling myself out of his grip.

He does, standing back in surprise. "Wha-what are you doing here?"

"That doesn't matter anymore."

"What's going on, Gray?"

I glance over and his sister is standing there, looking at us in confusion.

"Nothing. Go inside. Tell Dad I'll take a few more minutes," Graham tells her, his gaze still locked on mine.

Mikayla looks at me one last time before walking back inside the ballroom. Once she's gone, Graham cocks his head to the side, eyes roaming my face.

"Are you okay?"

"Perfectly fine," I grit out. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

I start to walk away, but he places a hand on my arm to stop me.

"Hold up. Excuse you to where? I see you for the first time in three months and you think I'm just going to let you leave like that? What are you doing here?"

"I was invited. Or should I say my family was invited," I mutter.

He stares at me confused. I decide to put him out of his misery.

"Congratulations, Graham. You get to figure out the big mystery. My last name ties it all together perfectly."

He peers at me like I'm some kind of crazy woman. "Alright, Sunshine," he states, and I hate my way my stomach flutters at the nickname. "What's your last name?"

"Russo," I spit out. "My full name is Isabella Russo, and my cousin is the Don of the Russos."

The shocked expression on his face would be quite comedic if it didn't hurt so much. I have to look away as the pain in my chest grows even more acute.

"Bye, Graham."

I walk away, and he doesn't hold me back this time. I make it all the way to the parking lot before he's pulling my elbow and whirling me around. He's a little out of breath.

"Alright, so your family's in the outfit. That's a big deal, but why does that matter right now?" he asks desperately.

Is he seriously asking me that after that conversation I heard in the hallway?

"Seriously, what's going on? Why are you so upset?" Graham questions. "You came here for me, right? To find me?"

"It doesn't matter anymore."

Hurt flashes in his eyes. "What?"

"I said it doesn't matter, Graham. I shouldn't have come here. It was a mistake."

Graham exhales softly. "I'm trying to understand you right now, darling, but you're making it really hard."

"I don't think we should see each other again."

"What are you talking about? It's me, Sunshine. It's Graham," he says earnestly, stepping forward. I'm forced to look up at him, and my heart aches at the expression I find there. "You can't just say this shit to me without an explanation. I'm not just anybody. You and I both know the connection we share."

"There's no connection," I say flatly. "And even if there was, I'm done."

Graham's face falls. He's about to say something else when a car pulls up right beside us. Jason steps out, and the expression on his face is murderous.

"Isabella," he says. "Is something wrong?"

I offer him a small shake of my head before looking back at Graham. "It's over, okay?"

He doesn't say a word. I turn to enter the car, but he grabs a hold of my wrist, keeping me in place. The touch is searing.

"I waited for you for three months, Isabella."

My eyes well up with tears at that. He wasted those three months waiting for me. We both did.

"I'm sorry," I tell him.

Because really, it's not his fault. I barely notice Jason approaching until he's grabbing Graham's hand and wrenching it from my wrist.

"Don't touch her," Jason says gruffly.

My eyes widen at the display. As expected, Graham misunderstands. He laughs bitterly.

"Is this what's going on, then? Is he why you're doing this to me?"

Jason moves next to me, wrapping an arm around my waist. I'm going to kill him. He has no right to treat me like I'm his. And especially not in front of Graham.

Graham's green eyes narrow, settling on Jason's arm around my waist.

"Isa, we need to go," Jason states.

I think desperately for something to say to make the situation better. In the end, there's nothing I can say. I let Jason open the car door for me. Before entering, I turn to look at Graham again. There's no mistaking the pain in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Graham," I say gently.

"Fuck your apology," he snaps before walking away.

My eyes well up with tears, and this time, they do fall. I get in the car and Jason starts to drive.

"If you say one word to me, I'll break your jaw," I threaten.

He wisely keeps quiet the entire drive home, leaving me to my heartache and pain.