Page 52 of Claimed At First Sight

“Mafia princess’s honor?”

Isa considers that. “Yeah, that will do.”

I lean forward, resting my chin on my knees while watching her.

“Well?” I prompt.

She hesitates, then the words leave her in a rush.

“Sebastian Moretti.”

I blink. “Who’s that? Should I know him?”

She shakes her head. “He’s not in the Mafia. That’s what I want, Mia. I want out.”

Oh. This is serious. She talked about wanting out at the memorial, but I didn’t realize she was actually doing something about it.

“Not a bad plan,” I admit. “Marry a civilian. Why haven’t I thought of that? Where did you find him?”

“I ran into him on my birthday on the way back from the restrooms at the restaurant. Then, by pure chance, he was at the same café as me just before Christmas.”

I think back to Isa’s birthday dinner.

“I remember you with a hot guy before the kitchen fire. That was him?” I fan myself dramatically, making Isa giggle.

“Yeah, he’s hot. And he’s got the most intense blue eyes.”

“So you’ve been seeing him all that time?” I ask, offended that I’m only hearing about this now.

“No. He gave me his card that second time, but I only got in touch with him a couple of weeks ago.”

That placates me slightly.

“What’s he like?”

“He’s the most direct man I’ve ever met,” she says quietly. “But he’s respectful and kind. And most importantly, he doesn’t want a fling. He’s the heir to his family’s real-estate business and needs to settle down soon.”

“Hmm.” I tilt my head. “Sounds like it could be mutually beneficial.”

Isa goes quiet.

“Do you love him?” I ask.

“What? No.” Her laugh is small. “Mia, it’s been two weeks. Nobody falls in love that quickly.”

“Don Gualtiero did,” I point out. “And Mateo too, once Mari was on his radar.”

“Yeah, well. They’re the exception.” Isa stares out toward the sea. “I like Sebastian. Being with him is…” She searches for the right word. “Easy.”

I suppose that’s a good start.

“Could you love him one day?” I ask more gently. “Because I don’t want to see you unhappy in your marriage, Isa. We’ve had enough of that in our family already.”

She pauses, twisting the edge of her shirt between her fingers. I know Luca is still there somewhere in the back of her mind. He probably always will be. But she can’t mourn him forever.

“Yes,” she says finally. “I think I could grow to love him.”

But I can hear the doubt in her voice.