In His Grasp: A Mafia Romance novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Don't Want Her to Interact with Other Men

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."