Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

Sure enough, he noticed Isabella’s face turning deathly pale in an instant, and she seemed lost in great agony.

What in the world is going on? Emanuele wondered. Weren’t they family? How could that woman and her family have caused Isabella so much distress? He watched as Isabella appeared paralyzed with fear, unable to even breathe, as though she might faint at any moment.

Emanuele quickly said, “I was just joking. Look at you, how you got so scared.”

In response, Isabella lifted her head and angrily snapped, “This joke isn’t funny at all!”

The suffocating sensation she had felt moments ago vanished, but Isabella was still filled with fear. Oh no, this man now knew her weakness. Although he didn’t know the reason, he was aware of the despair and fear that her uncle’s family could inflict upon her. He would probably use this knowledge to threaten her constantly. Isabella’s despair reached its peak.

God, considering how many lives she had saved, could she please be protected?

As they continued to dance, the partner-switching segment arrived. Clark had been eager, waiting for this moment, and he immediately pushed his current dance partner away and pulled Isabella toward him.

While he had been dancing earlier, he had seen Emanuele dancing with Isabella. From that point, all his attention had been on Isabella. He wanted nothing more than to replace Emanuele and dance with her in the ballroom.

Now, with this opportunity at hand, Clark couldn’t wait to dance with Isabella.

“Isabella, you’re so beautiful, just like your name suggests,” Clark complimented her with a loving gaze.

“Thank you,” Isabella replied with a smile.

Although she knew Clark was friends with Emanuele and not to be underestimated, the gentle and gentlemanly manner in which he interacted with her made her feel much more relaxed than when she was with Emanuele. Even the way he placed his hand on her was gentle and delicate, treating her as if she were a treasure. Unlike Emanuele, who had held her so tightly and possessively.

However, not far away, Emanuele watched them closely. Seeing Isabella chatting and laughing with Clark, he felt as if his anger were about to explode. It was strange; after all, he had introduced Isabella to a few of his brothers for intimacy, which should have fulfilled his goals. So why was he so enraged now?

During dinner, Isabella sat with her mother and the Lombardi family members. Isabella had little appetite, so she took a few sips of whiskey. The strong taste was a bit overwhelming for her, but it did help soothe her emotions.

She felt weak and wondered how she would face the battles that lay ahead. She didn’t want to become fully involved with the Mafia, becoming a true Mafia princess. She didn’t want to constantly have bodyguards around her, losing her ordinary life, or worse, being assassinated one day. She just wanted to live like a regular person. Why was it so hard to wish for normalcy?

Around the dinner table, Sophia, Leo, and Andrew engaged in lively conversation. Andrew was not a part of the Mafia; he was a regular businessman. However, he was excellent at keeping the atmosphere lively. He and Leo always had endless topics to chat about, and he could make everyone burst into laughter with his jokes.

Isabella’s mind was elsewhere as she quietly drank in a corner. Emanuele noticed that Isabella was only drinking, not eating, and furrowed his brow. He didn’t want her to become a drunken mess in such a setting.

Thinking about this, Emanuele reached over and took a plate of steak in front of Isabella, startling her. He couldn’t help but find it amusing how easily she got startled, as if the slightest movement would frighten her.

Emanuele chuckled, “You get scared so easily. Should I take you to see a doctor? Maybe you need some medication to calm your nerves.”

Isabella didn’t need to go to a hospital; she was already taking medication. Her mother knew about it. Sophia thought her sensitivity and vulnerability were due to losing her father at a young age and not having her mother around often. Isabella hadn’t explained the real reason, and she didn’t want anyone else to know.

Isabella looked at Emanuele and replied, “I’m a doctor myself.”

Emanuele smiled, “Impressive. Miss Gould, you’re an excellent doctor. You did a great job stitching up my wounds.”

Isabella glanced at Emanuele’s hand, but he was wearing long sleeves, so she couldn’t see his wounds. Emanuele helped cut her steak into smaller pieces and placed them back in front of her, instructing, “Finish it.”

Isabella had little appetite to begin with, and now being ordered to eat by Emanuele only made her mood worse. What did this man want from her?

Under Emanuele’s watchful gaze, Isabella reluctantly began to eat. She managed to eat two pieces before feeling full. She looked at Emanuele with a pleading expression, her voice sweet and a bit pitiful, “Brother, I really can’t eat anymore.”

Her voice was naturally sweet, and the pleading tone made her seem quite pitiful. However, as Emanuele looked at her rosy lips, opening and closing, an unexpected fantasy flashed in his mind. What if those lips were wrapped around his… What if he released his energy in her mouth? The thought alone made his body feel like it was about to explode.

Emanuele struggled to avert his gaze. How could he lose control so easily? This wasn’t like him. He had encountered countless women, far more attractive than Isabella, who willingly came to him. What was so appealing about a delicate flower like Isabella? But she had an inexplicable hold on him.

Damn it, he cursed inwardly. He must be sick to even entertain such thoughts about getting intimate with Isabella, the gift he was supposed to give away!

“Then eat two more pieces,” Emanuele ordered.

Isabella could only endure it and reluctantly ate two more pieces of steak. Thankfully, Emanuele didn’t make her finish the whole plate.

But as soon as she put down her knife and fork, Emanuele took the remaining steak from her plate and placed it in front of himself. He began to eat using the same cutlery she had just used.

Oh, the intimacy of this gesture made Isabella feel uncomfortable. Emanuele, however, showed no emotion as he finished the meal.

The enjoyable day came to an end, and the wedding guests began to leave one by one. Clark, before departing, asked Isabella, “Isabella, can we exchange phone numbers? I’d like to take you out for dinner and a movie sometime.”

“Of course,” Isabella agreed and exchanged numbers with Clark. She had made up her mind. If she was weak and couldn’t resist the pressure Emanuele brought, then she wouldn’t resist anymore. She would adapt, look for better opportunities, and eventually take down that bastard Emanuele!

Clark was Emanuele’s friend, so he must be powerful too. She wondered if he could help her fight against Emanuele. Regardless, Clark’s gentle and considerate nature made her more comfortable than being with Emanuele. She just needed to remind herself not to get too entangled in this false relationship and avoid delving too deep into the dark world of the Mafia.

The wedding guests gradually departed, and before leaving, Clark hugged Isabella. After they were gone, Isabella wanted to talk to her mother. It was getting late, after all.

But to her surprise, Emanuele dragged her into a corner of the garden. The night was dark, and despite the streetlights, this corner was dimly lit. Emanuele silently took her phone, deleted Clark’s number, and added his own number to her phone.

“What are you doing, Emanuele?” Isabella asked in anger. Why was this man so unreasonable, taking her phone without permission?

She watched as Emanuele added his number to her phone, completely baffled by his actions. This lunatic! What was he up to?

“I only want you to get married, not to date. Marriage means immediately having a wedding, going to the church for vows, not gradually developing feelings. I don’t have the patience for that!” Emanuele said, but even though he spoke those words, he had different intentions.

“I’ve followed your wishes and talked to your friends, gone on dates. Why are you still so strict with me? You’re such a jerk!” Isabella retorted, her voice filled with anger, her chest heaving.

Emanuele always managed to make her angry, but he was too powerful for her to resist. Just like now, after hearing her words, he grabbed her waist and pulled her into his embrace.

Isabella’s body might be voluptuous, but her waist was slender and delicate, soft to the touch, and he couldn’t help but enjoy it. How could a woman have such a perfect figure? She seemed tailor-made for him.

Isabella struggled frantically, but it was futile. Her strength was insignificant in Emanuele’s presence.

Damn this bastard, Isabella cursed silently, wishing him to rot in hell.