Protecting The Principessa (Complete)

~ Chapter 51 ~

"You can't be serious?" Adriano asked but she just shrugged. She couldn't phantom the why behind it, other than it was because they were out to betray him. But fuck, if that was the case, how many chances did they have to take out Carlo, and didn't? This didn't make sense, but at the same point in time, nothing else did either and this at least seemed a little more likely than other stuff. This would also explain a lot of other things, like how no fucking ass information could be found to track shit down.

"I don't know, I just know those two guys are the same and we need to figure out why."

"Izzy, if that is Cesare, why not take Carlo out? What could be the reasons to stay around?"

"I don't know Adriano, I can't answer that, but I can simply tell you, something isn't right. I'm not saying I have all the answers, but you have to admit, that shit is pretty curious!" Adriano looked again, pulled out his phone, and took some pictures as he nodded.

"I would agree with you there. Come on, you need to get ready for work. Maybe I can ask around, quietly, to see if I can't figure something out. Some men that go to the club are older than might recall something that I don't."

"I know it's dangerous ground, so be careful, yeah?"

"Oh, am I growing on you or something?" he teased, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. But the answer to that was, yeah, he was, and had been for a bit. Now, what she did with that, well, she wasn't certain. She didn't want to lay her emotions down quite yet. She still wasn't all too certain he was in this relationship for anything other than the means to rule and them having a great ass time together was just an added bonus.

-----

"If anything happens, I want you to come to me, okay?" Izzy paused with her hand on the handle to open the door. She slowly turned and looked at Adriano.

"Do you think something is going to happen?"

"I don't know. But if the word is going around that I'm asking questions about anything remotely close to what we have talked about, it's going to start raising flags. I'm a big boy here, I can take care of myself. Even though I'm here at the club, I feel like I can't watch you enough to protect you."

"You know, Adriano, you might be surprised by what I can, and can't do. I've been in the bar scene for quite a few years and can usually take care of myself." His hand cupped her cheek, and he pulled her close, his lips claiming hers.

"You're right," he whispered across her lips, "but they weren't mafia men you dealt with back home. These men are different. Sometimes the term 'woman' doesn't bother them."

"In other words, some might not mind roughing up a woman, I got it. Don't have such little faith in me though." She leaned forward and kissed him again, rather enjoying that send-off for work. It was such a simple task, but one that put a smile on her face as she left his car. But the kiss, and the enjoyment of it, didn't stop her mind from worrying or wandering.

Was the path they were taking the right one? Were they risking too much by seeking answers that were actually supposed to be sought after by her dad, not them? When did it even become their thing, rather than her dads? She didn't enjoy the thought of putting herself, or Adriano, in harm's way if that meant getting answers. But she knew Adriano, he would do it because he was protecting his boss.

"You're late." Izzy let the statement roll off her back from her boss. If he had a problem, he could take it up with Adriano, since that was her ride, and the reason she was late anyways.

"Sorry," she mumbled as she made her way behind the bar. She felt the air tingle and looked up, seeing Adriano stroll in, casting a smile in her direction.