Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

As the head of the Mafia, one could marry and have children, but the cardinal rule was to avoid emotional entanglements with women. Their enemies would seize any vulnerability, especially if they discovered their affections. Mental destruction, at times, was more terrifying than physical harm. They were well aware of this and had used such tactics against their enemies. Naturally, they didn’t want their foes to reciprocate.

Karen, seeing Michael broach this topic with such seriousness, felt a bit uneasy. “So, what should I do?”

Apologize to that wench? Karen hated her; it was that woman’s fault she ended up like this.

“I can see you’re in good spirits now, nothing like someone suffering from an asthma attack.” Michael scanned Karen’s face, not missing the hatred in her eyes. His tone carried a hint of mockery.

Karen felt a bit embarrassed. “This attack ended quickly, so I feel a bit better now.”

“Tomorrow morning, you’re coming with me to apologize to Emanuele and Isabella.” Michael said, about to leave. “You’re not that young anymore. It’s time you grew up. Look at Isabella, younger than you, yet so dignified-a qualified Mafia queen. Karen, I hope you can be a source of pride for our family.”

Upon hearing that Michael considered Isabella stronger than her, Karen burst into tears. “Brother, are you really my brother? How can you speak up for that bitch? Sob, sob, sob. I like Emanuele, you know that. I’m just unwilling to accept Emanuele being taken away by a woman who’s inferior to me in every way. Is that wrong?”

Michael looked at his sister. He felt a bit sorry for her. He knew she had admired Emanuele since childhood, even though Emanuele had no interest in her. The two had met only a few times over the years. When Emanuele got married, Karen was on a remote island for her health. Michael feared her emotional reaction, so he kept it a secret. Unfortunately, Karen found out recently and flew to Chicago, even arranging her birthday celebration there to ensure Emanuele’s attendance.

Michael suspected Karen invited Emanuele and Isabella to mock Isabella deliberately. Considering her behavior during the party, Michael felt that his sister might not have good intentions.

“Karen, you never used to use such language, and you were gentle and polite. What’s happened to you? How can you call someone a bitch and a slut? Moreover, Isabella hasn’t done anything wrong. Just because she’s liked by Emanuele, you dislike her. We’ve protected you all these years, sent you to college, etiquette classes, grooming you to be a true Bratva princess. Yet, now you’re throwing around words like bitch and slut. Who have you become?”

“Brother, how can you think of me like that?” Karen, heartbroken, couldn’t help but feel a twinge of shame at Michael’s words. Indeed, she was once a lady; how did she end up being portrayed as a lunatic by Isabella?

“Rest well. Tomorrow morning, come with me to apologize, and in the afternoon, we’ll return to Russia.” With these words, Michael left, leaving Karen crying on the hospital bed until she fell into a deep slumber.

The next day, Karen followed Michael to Emanuele’s apartment to apologize to Emanuele and Isabella. Seeing Karen’s pitiful yet unwilling expression, Isabella couldn’t help but smile.

Michael, on the other hand, was sincere. “Isabella, I’m truly sorry. I was worried about Karen last night, and in my haste, I blamed you without investigating properly. I apologize.”

“It’s okay. You didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Karen, apologize to Isabella.”

“Sorry,” Karen said.

“Just one sentence?”

Under her brother’s threatening gaze, Karen shrunk her neck and whispered, “I shouldn’t have bullied you, shouldn’t have wrongly accused you. I hope you can forgive me.” Though she appeared pitiful on the surface, her heart harbored intense hatred towards Isabella. If not for her, Karen wouldn’t be in such a miserable state. But she dared not show it.

Watching Emanuele embrace Isabella with such tenderness, as if protecting the most precious treasure, Karen’s gaze met his. His eyes were icy, sharp. Karen didn’t dare to hold his gaze. She quickly lowered her head, no longer as assertive as she was during her conversation with Emanuele before.

“It’s okay, Karen. I forgive you. I heard you’re leaving this afternoon? Whenever you have time, come to Chicago for a visit, bring your friends. I really like them.” Isabella said with a cheerful smile.

Even though Isabella knew Karen’s apology might not be sincere, she didn’t care. No matter how humiliated Karen felt, it wouldn’t change the fact that Isabella was the true Mafia queen, standing by Emanuele’s side.

Karen’s face turned ugly at Isabella’s words. Her friends had betrayed her!

Michael knew Karen might not be sincere, but at least, she expressed an apology. He didn’t want to linger here any longer. After bidding farewell to Emanuele and Isabella, he left with Karen.

After they left, Emanuele pulled Isabella into his arms, resting his chin on her hair, inhaling the scent of her. “Michael showed some sincerity, or I would have taught them a lesson.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Forget it. You’re friends and business partners. Don’t let my unpleasantness with them affect your relationship.” Isabella pushed Emanuele away. “You should go to work now.”

Emanuele’s face darkened at Isabella’s words. He was a bit unhappy. “Isabella, you might not realize how important you are. Even if you have a disagreement with him, so what?”

Isabella felt her heart race at Emanuele’s words. “Am I really that important to you?” She asked cautiously, wanting to confirm once again.

“Important.” Emanuele kissed Isabella’s cheek, his face pressed against hers. The rough stubble grazed her cheek, creating a tingling sensation that crawled onto her heart. Isabella blushed unexpectedly.

How could she blush over something like this when they’ve done the most intimate things together? Isabella couldn’t help but mock herself for being so weak.

Emanuele’s words struck a chord with her. What woman wouldn’t like to hear sweet words? He said she was important to him. Was it true?

Thinking of Emanuele’s previous confession in bed, Isabella felt a bit dazed. She knew Emanuele liked her, but when she wanted to have a child with him, he disagreed. So, was he really in love with her?