Chapter 3 – Meet Isabella

Zander’s POV

“Amelie!” Salvatore exclaimed. “You look amazing.” He kissed both her cheeks.

“Salvatore, thank you so much for coming,” Amelie gushed. “I’d like you to meet my brother Zander. Zander, this is Salvatore Aventini and his daughter Isabella.”

“Nice to meet you, Zander,” Salvatore said.

“Nice to meet you, too, Mr. Aventini,” I said. “Hi, Isabella.”

“Hi, Zander,” Isabella said, blushing.

Isabella held out her hand to shake mine, and I took it and kissed it. We stared into each other's eyes. Oh, my gosh. Her eyes are fucking beautiful. They are the same color as her dress.

“Isabella,” Salvatore said. “Isabella?”

“I’m sorry, Papa, did you say something?” Isabella asked, her eyes still glued to mine.

“I said you’ll have to have a dance with Zander later,” Salvatore mused. “He seems to be the only person here your age.”

“Will you save a dance for me?” I asked.

Isabella blushed. “Yes, I will,” Isabella responded, still not breaking eye contact with me.

Nathan walked over to us. “Salvatore, thank you again for coming tonight. It’s great to have you and Isabella here,” he said, shaking Salvatore’s hand. “If you don’t mind, Amelie and I have a cake to cut.”

“Who’s going to say no to cake?” Salvatore chuckled.

“Well, definitely not Zander, that’s for sure,” Nathan laughed.

“Isabella, do you like cake?” I asked.

“Yes, I do,” Isabella said softly.

“Would you like to accompany me for a piece of cake?” I queried. “I mean, if it's alright with you, Mr. Aventini.”

Isabella looked up at her father.

“I don’t see any harm in it,” Salvatore smirked.

“Thank you, Papa,” Isabella said, smiling.

I took her hand, and a spark of electricity ran up my arm. Isabella pulled her hand back as well, as if she had been shocked. Did she feel it too? I looked into her deep blue eyes. I swear she felt it.

I offered my arm to her, and she linked arms with me. We started walking towards the cake. Zander, say something to her.

“How are you liking the wedding reception so far?” I asked.

“It’s extremely beautiful,” Isabella said with a smile.

My God, she is stunning. Long, wavy, dark hair that cascades halfway down her back, a cute little nose, and the juiciest lips I’ve ever seen. I lick my lips as I think about kissing them. Isabella lets out a little gasp at my action.

“Yes, they did a spectacular job at the theme and décor,” I commented. “You actually fit in perfect with your blue dress.”

“Thank you,” Isabella said, smiling. “You look very handsome in your tux.”

“You think so? It’s not what I normally wear,” I replied. “I’m usually in sweats and hoodies.”

“Gosh, I honestly think hoodies are the most comfortable thing to wear,” Isabella stated. “It’s like getting a hug. Do you know that in one of the provinces in Canada, they actually call them bunny hugs?”

“Really? That’s quite adorable,” I mused.

“I know, right?” Isabella responded. “Who wouldn’t want a bunny hug? They are so soft and fluffy and cuddly.”

Man, what I wouldn’t give to hug you right now, Isabella, I think to myself.

We reached the cake where Nathan and Amelie are getting ready to cut into it.

“What’s your favorite flavor of cake, Isabella?” I asked. God, I love saying her name.

“Chocolate cake with chocolate icing,” Isabella replied.

“Mine too!” I exclaimed. “You can’t beat chocolate.”

“Absolutely,” Isabella said, nodding her head.

“Zander,” Amelie called. “Come get a piece of mom’s chocolate cake.”

“You don’t have to ask me twice,” I laughed.

Isabella giggled at my statement, and it was music to my ears.

“I need two pieces, Ame,” I advised my sister. “It’s Isabella’s favorite flavor, too.”

“Oh, a match made in heaven,” Amelie giggled.

“I hope so,” I grinned.

Isabella and I found an empty table nearby and began to eat our cake.

“Oh my gosh, this is delicious!” Isabella said and moaned with approval.

Fuck. Me. That moan was fucking hot.

“I’m glad you like it,” I stated. “It was my mom’s recipe.  Both my parents passed away when I was five years old.”

She reached up and put her hand on my forearm. “I’m so sorry you had that happen to you, Zander. It must have been extremely tough dealing with that.”

“It was, but Ame was the best sister you could ever have,” I said, smiling. “Do you have siblings?”

“I have a brother, Marco, who’s thirteen, and a sister, Marcella, who’s seven,” Isabella told me.

“Your dad seems nice,” I stated.

“He can be, unless you’re his enemy,” Isabella said sheepishly.

I chuckled, “Does he have many enemies?”

“Yes,” Isabella stated bluntly.

I was taken aback. It must have shown on my face because Isabella started to spill her truth.

“I’m a mafia princess, Zander,” Isabella advised. “My dad is a mafia don. Does that scare you, Zander?”

“No, it doesn’t,” I reassured her.

“It should,” Isabella said.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because mafia princesses can’t be touched or kissed,” Isabella stated.

“You think I want to touch or kiss you?” I questioned.

“No, I mean, I don’t know,” Isabella stuttered through her sentence. “I mean, I’m off limits. Untouchable. I’m already promised in marriage.”

“Well, that doesn’t seem fair,” I pouted.

“It’s not, but that’s how it works in the mafia,” Isabella revealed. “I’m nothing more than a commodity, to be sold or brokered.” Isabella let out a heavy sigh and looked down at her hands in her lap.

“Isabella, look at me,” I stated. She lifted her ocean blue eyes to me, and my heart leapt inside my chest. “You are so much more than that.”

“You think so?” Isabella queried.

“So much more,” I expressed. “Now would you like to dance?”

“I would love to dance,” Isabella replied.

I led her out onto the dance floor and held her gently in my arms. Fuck. I think I’m getting hard from holding her so close. She smells so amazing, like a spring shower.

We continued to dance, and I wanted to stay this way forever.

“Isabella,” I whispered in her ear.

“Zander,” she sighed.

Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. Mr. Aventini.

“Isabella, let’s go,” Mr. Aventini said abruptly.

“But Papa,” Isabella pouted.

“Isabella,” he said forcefully. “Now.”

With that, she was ripped out of my arms and led out of the ballroom.

Fuck.