Chapter 4 MURDERER.

ISABELLA.

"Congratulations, Bella," my mom cheers as she pulls me into a tight hug. "You make such a beautiful bride!"

"Thank you mama. You make a beautiful mother of the bride," I respond.

"Oh, stop it."

"She is not wrong," a voice says from behind me and I turn to see Luca and his father, Giovanni coming toward us. It is his father who had spoken.

"You do look stunning, Sofia."

"Oh, hush. Like I would believe you, you see talker," my mother responds.

"There are three things I do not lie about, money, bloodline and beautiful women, and you, my dear Sofia are surely that."

I shoot a look at Luca and he shrugs helplessly at the embarrassing flirtation that is happening before us.

They are both dressed in identical outfits, the only difference is where Giovanni's linings are plain, Luca's is lined with gold patterns.

"Congratulations, my dear and welcome to the family," he says as he turns to me with a hug. "I know I can never replace your father but I will do my best to lessen the ache, if you will let me."

Doubtful, but touching.

"Thank you, sir," I say with a smile.

"No, no, no. Call me Giovanni."

"Right, Giovanni."

"Good," he says with a satisfied nod. "They look good together don't they, Sofia?"

"I know," she squeals. "I can't wait for the adorable babies that will come from them."

Yikes.

Another look passes between us and I can't help but feel bad for my mother.

Babies are a thing of the far future, if any of us have any say in the matter.

At my condition, Luca had agreed to a marriage on paper kind of situation.

As long as he helped me with my search, I would be the perfect wife, propping his image in public and staying out of his private affairs.

As long as he also stays out of mine.

I don't see any overlap happening anytime soon with those lines drawn.

"Hey! It is the man of the hour," another voice joins our fray and I see Enzo, Luca's second in command walks up to us with a beautiful lady by his side. "Congratulations, man. To the two of you. You both make a beautiful couple."

"Thank you, Enzo," I say with a regal nod. "Who is your friend?"

"Ah, this is Giulia, a member of our ... team?"

Is he asking me?

"Giulia," Giovanni calls. "I didn't see you at the wedding. Was there an issue?"

"Nothing serious," she replies. "Just some business to take care of."

I don't miss the quick glance she throws towards Luca and the way he pretends he doesn't see it either. Also, the way he tensed the moment she appeared."

She must be the one he was with before our fathers ruined everything.

Pity.

She is stunning.

With a tall and curvaceous figure which is complemented by her long, straight black hair and almond-shaped dark eyes, I can totally see why he would be pissed about marrying someone else.

Not that I am not beautiful in my own way.

With my wavy chestnut hair and a fair complexion with a sprinkle of freckles across her nose, I have turned a few heads my way. My slender figure is thanks to my mother, and I carry myself with the same grace and elegance she does.

I am no ugly duckling.

"This is Giulia," Giovanni introduces her to both me and my mother. "One of those that work under Luca."

I don't miss the warning and threat under those words.

You are nothing.

Know your place.

I also don't miss the three's reactions to the words.

Enzo throws a panicked look towards Luca who shoots a steely infuriated glare to his father. Giulia on the other hand, stands straighter, taller, holding her head up high refusing to be diminished.

It would all be amusing to me if I cared.

I do not.

"I am going to go greet more of our guests," I announce as I step away from the group. "Mother, will you help?"

"Of course, dear," she says as she joins me in walking away. "That was... tense," she remarks once we are a good distance from them.

"That was messy. And I want nothing to do with it."

"Bella..."

"Mama. I married him, okay. I did what papa wanted. Don't ask more of me. I don't know the man, I don't care about him, or his affairs, or whatever power play he is having with his father. I married him and that is that."

She is silent for a few seconds before she replies.

"So, I take it I won't be holding any babies any time soon?"

"Nope."

"Hmm, sad. Want to get drunk?"

"Yes please."

~~~~~~~~

I wake up with a start.

Disoriented as to where I am and confused as to what woke me up.

A few seconds of letting my brain catch up with me and I remember.

I am married now.

And this is the Romano residence.

More specifically, Luca's personal residence.

Against his father's wishes, Luca had insisted on heading to his own residence.

A retaliation I think, for the way he had spoken about Giulia. I had just nodded my head and went along with him.

This place, that place, they made no difference to me.

I remember being so tipsy and fuzzy by the amount of wine I had consumed, he had to steady me as we headed to the car.

What can I say, we Italians know good wine.

I must have passed out in the car because I have no memory of changing my clothes or getting into bed.

For his sake, I hope it was a maid who did so.

I manage to get to my feet, my head throbbing like a hammer on an anvil and my legs shaking like a mermaid's first time on land.

Slowly, I make my way across the room and out the door, in search of the kitchen.

I doubt anyone would have hangover soup just waiting in the kitchen, but a long gold glass of water will go a long way in clearing the cobwebs.

I do not have the luxury of taking in the anesthetics of the pace, though I am very sure it is exquisite.

A man that dresses the way Luca does will not settle for anything less.

After pushing open several doors that are not the kitchen, I come across a passage way with light spilling from one of the doors.

Grateful that at least someone is awake, I begin heading for it , only slowing down when I hear the murmurs of more than one person.

Against my better judgment and ethics, I edge closer to the door, making sure to make no sound.

I slowly peek around it and I see the three musketeers there.

Luca is sitting on the leather chair with Giulia in the table facing him, while Enzo is perched on the window sill, occupied with a folder in his hand.

"I am just saying," Enzo continues. "It is too good to be true. Not to add reckless and crazy."

"Exactly!" Giulia adds. "How could you agree to such a condition?"

"It was a good decision. One that works well for the both of us."

"Really? Does it, really?" she asks. "How does you promising her to help find her father's killer, work well for you?"

What? Why is he discussing that with them?

"What," she continues. "And I am saying this hypothetically, what if she finds out that you were there when he died?"

A ding sounds in my head, bringing everything to a stand still.

Luca was there when my father died.

Mama said he was alone.

Luca... Luca killed my father.