Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

But soon, Emanuele regretted it.

Isabella had just managed to calm down a bit while chatting with Grazia, but as their conversation continued, she broke down in tears again. Watching Isabella in profound sorrow, Emanuele had the urge to end the call, but he resisted.This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - ©.

Well, let these two women vent their emotions for a while.

After what felt like an eternity, Isabella finally regained her composure. She comforted Grazia, saying, “Grazia, your dad is watching over you from heaven. He wouldn’t want to see you this distressed. Stay strong and live on.”

“Now that Rocco treats you so well, you two can start a family sooner. That way, you’ll have an additional anchor in your life.”

Listening to Isabella’s mature tone, Emanuele couldn’t help but think she didn’t sound like a 22-year-old girl anymore. In this moment, she seemed unusually mature.

Emanuele understood that if someone was too well-protected, they wouldn’t grow. Isabella used to have a simple and pure life, but now, she was rapidly maturing and becoming more stable.

He had admired her growth in the past, her ability to adapt to the environment was astonishing and captivating. However, now Emanuele realized that the things he had always liked might be the very things causing Isabella pain.

The process of forced growth meant letting go of some aspects of oneself-a painful separation.

After Isabella ended the call, Emanuele pulled her into his arms. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, “Isabella, everything will get better.”

Isabella shook her head, “I feel terrible.”

She had been hoping for things to improve, but it seemed like everything was getting worse. With people around her passing away one by one, Isabella felt the world becoming incredibly bleak.

“Isabella, I will arrange for you to go to Italy to meet Grazia.”

Chicago was no longer safe, and Emanuele had decided to clean out the Sicilians in the city immediately-leaving no potential threats behind.

However, this decision might cost him his life.

Isabella was stunned; she had been immersed in grief, and Emanuele’s sudden words left her feeling a bit lost. Why did he want her to go to Italy?

“I don’t want to go,” Isabella immediately refused, wiping away the tears on her face, trying to appear stronger.

“Listen, it’s only safe for you there. They won’t dare to invade Rocco’s territory for now.”

Emanuele could have sent Isabella to many places, like Switzerland, where entering the Saint Sovereign Church granted sanctuary since killing was forbidden there. But Emanuele chose Italy, where Grazia was. Isabella wouldn’t feel lonely there.

He feared that if Isabella went to Switzerland alone, loneliness might keep her immersed in sorrow at all times.

Isabella shook her head, wanting to refuse, but Emanuele had already called James in.

“James, from now on, you’ll be responsible for escorting Isabella to Italy. Tony and Harry will accompany you. Isabella, I don’t have the time to divert my attention to protect you. For your safety and for me to fully engage in the battle, you must go to Italy.”

Emanuele’s tone was cold and ruthless, leaving Isabella no room to refuse.

After instructing Isabella, Emanuele turned to make a call.

“Rocco, I need your help with something.”

“What’s the matter?”

“You should know by now that I’m facing some tricky situations here. My father and stepmother have passed away… I need to fully commit to the war, and I’m worried about my wife’s safety. So, I plan to send her to you. Expected arrival within 12 hours.”

“That’s not a problem, Emanuele. Grazia is also very upset right now and could use some comfort. Isabella’s presence will make her feel better.”

Emanuele hung up and looked at Isabella, “Go back to your room and pack your things.”

Although Isabella didn’t want to leave, she understood that Emanuele had invested too much in protecting her. The dozen or so bodyguards around her could potentially increase Emanuele’s chances of winning if they joined his team.

The best decision now was indeed to leave Chicago, not letting Emanuele be distracted by protecting her.

Isabella returned to her room to pack. Despite having a lot of clothes, she decided to take only what she needed recently, just enough for a backpack. She knew that in this situation, carrying too much luggage would be a burden.

In the living room, Emanuele spoke to James, Tony, and Harry.

“Boss, I don’t want to go to Italy. Can’t we send someone else? I want to stay here and fight alongside you,” James said, feeling that escorting Isabella was a minor task that anyone could handle.

“No, you must protect Isabella. She’s my wife, and I won’t allow her to get hurt.”

“But…”

James wanted to say more, but when he met Emanuele’s icy gaze, he stopped arguing. He knew that once Emanuele made a decision, there was no room for negotiation.

However, he couldn’t help but feel regret. He wanted revenge and to eliminate those responsible for his brothers’ deaths. They were more than just friends; they were brothers who had accompanied him for many years. Now, one by one, they were gone.

The desire for revenge made his blood boil. Yet, at this crucial moment, Emanuele ordered him to send his wife away from Chicago. There was no choice; as important as revenge was, his wife’s life was equally important.

James stopped dwelling on it and immediately went to arrange the operational details.

Emanuele entered the bedroom and watched Isabella packing. She didn’t seem to have much to take; just one backpack was enough. Emanuele slipped a credit card into Isabella’s backpack. “Buy whatever you need when the time comes.”

Isabella looked at Emanuele, her eyes still red, showing deep sadness. “Do I really have to go? I’m worried about you.”

However, Emanuele’s gaze seemed cruel. “You must go, Isabella. As soon as James returns, you’ll take a plane and leave.”

Looking at the man in front of her, still as charming as ever, Isabella couldn’t help reaching out and stroking Emanuele’s face, as if trying to imprint this man into her life. Despite hating him, despising him, and even wanting to kill him in the past, she had fallen deeply in love with him. Even though he considered their relationship just a game, Isabella genuinely liked him.

But now, Emanuele was pushing her away. He wanted her to leave, to go to a safe place while he faced the war alone. Their parents had sacrificed in this struggle, and Emanuele, as powerful as he was, hadn’t found the enemy yet, indicating a formidable adversary.

She didn’t know if this would be their final farewell. Isabella reached out and hugged Emanuele, tightly encircling his neck, pressing her face against his chest. At this moment, there were too many words she wanted to say. However, when she tried to speak, the words seemed stuck, no matter how hard she tried, they wouldn’t come out.