21-Boop

**Isabella**

We make it back home just in time for dinner. Marcello is still knocked out in my bed, but I decide to let him rest. I'll bring his dinner to him later. We might need to plan a trip to the shooting range for another day because I think we all want to be home for the rest of the night. I need to make a dreaded phone call to Ronald McKellan because he's the one who will be wanting to buy my business. Every time we run into each other, he asks me if I want to sell to him. He's a decent human being, but he will talk your ear off if you allow it. I won't bother finding a broker or consulting my accountant because I know what my business is worth, but I'll settle for a reasonable price just for him to take it off my hands. This is something that needs to be done sooner rather than later, and I trust that Ronald will take good care of my employees. Ben will remain employed as my 'personal assistant' because I know he won't work under Ronald, and I owe him financial security for all he has done for me. I'm not easy to handle on my easy days, let alone my hard days.

I sit in the dining room and dial his number. He picks up right away, "Good evening, Monroe! Ready to sell that business to me?"

"Yes, actually. I'll be moving soon, and it isn't ideal with my future anymore." I can hear his little celebration in the background.

"I'm the first person you called, right? I would hate to fight some greasy old man over it." McKellan is middle-aged and not a burden to look at, but he has way too much energy for one person. I think instead of blood running through his veins, he has the Monster Energy drink.

"I wouldn't dare. You're the first person to come to mind, so I'm glad you're still interested. Is eight hundred thousand too much for your pockets?" I don't expect to sell it for that much, but you always want to start with a high number.

"I can do a quarter mil." Now he's trying to be funny.

"Half a mil, and it's yours. Or I can call a greasy old man with more zeros to his name." He groans, but I know he will agree.

"Alright, I'll do half a mil. How do you want it?" The deal went exactly as I expected.

"You can wire it to me. I'll send my info to your email." I still have the card he gave me when he first told me to contact him if I decide to sell.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you, Monroe. I hope your new journey is good to you." He's such a nice guy.

"I appreciate it. Talk to you later, McKellan." We ended the call, and Marcello's voice startles me.

"That was one hell of a negotiation. Well done, Bellissima." He kisses my cheek and takes a seat at the head of the table. I move so that I can be right next to him.

"I didn't expect you to be up already. I was about to bring you something to eat once I got off the phone." I still have to arrange a meeting here and in New Jersey so I can personally introduce McKellan to the employees. It's the least I can do before he takes over, so I'm including those details in my email to McKellan.

"I would like breakfast for dinner, so I notified the kitchen staff when I woke up. How was your day with Ezra?" Marcello still looks kind of sleepy, and I see he changed into a white v-neck with gray shorts. His strong arms and shoulders are defined, and his hair is pulled up into a bun, as usual. He's intimidating until you see this side of him. Now he looks like a giant teddy bear to me.

"It was perfect, other than the fact that he almost killed a guy who was working a game booth at the carnival. Who knew Maestro was so mighty?" Marcello's sleepy smile does funny things to my heart.

"Ezra is a sensitive man. That makes him more dangerous than me, but he is a fast thinker." Today, I learned how true that is.

"I've noticed. Have you been to his new hotel in Clearwater? It was brilliant." He shakes his head.

"Clearwater View is all Ezra. I do not usually deal with his hotels because I focus more on the dispensaries and clubs. Both of us own these places together, but we split the workload so that we do not step on each other's toes. There are some restaurants that we work on together, which is what we were supposed to do the other day." His breakfast is brought to him, and we continue the conversation.

"That makes sense." I take a deep breath and realize I feel lighter than I used to. Every day that passes, I feel more normal and happy. For so long, I have had a cloud over my head with no sun in sight. I might be going from making an honest living to becoming a crime queen in a foreign country, but it's not like I'll be doing any dirty work. If anything, I'll be able to make positive changes and minimalize violence. I guess I'll learn as I go.

"What is on your mind?" Marcello can tell I got lost in my thoughts.

"I feel relieved. I'm looking forward to the future for once, and I don't feel like I'm running out of time. I can finally breathe." He finished his meal and drank the last of his orange juice before responding.

"Life will only get better with time. We may not be perfect, but we will always take care of you and do our best to make you happy." We stand from the table, and it's my turn to kiss his cheek.

"I appreciate you guys. Let's terrorize Maestro while he works. I've been on my best behavior all day, and I don't want to make things too easy on him." Marcello laughs and lifts me into his arms. I wrap my legs around his waist, and he supports me with his hands on my bottom while walking to Ezra's office.

"I am sure he will like the distraction." He firmly squeezes my behind and nips my shoulder.

"I want you both. All night." He stops in his tracks.

"Mmm. Be careful what you ask for, Bellissima." This is his way of asking if I'm sure.

"I'm ready. I already told Maestro earlier." He continues to walk and says something in Italian.

"Huh?" I usually don't bother asking what they say when they jibber something in their language, but this sounded cunning.

"I said, you are so pretty." Something is telling me that is not what he said, considering the grin on his face.

"I don't believe you." He laughs and knocks on the office door.

"Smart girl." The door swings open, and Ezra steps aside to let us in. He's on the phone, but he fails to contain his smile. As soon as he hangs up, Marcello speaks their language again. Ezra laughs and shakes his head.

"What are you saying?! Maestro, tell me." They'll be the ones sitting in a corner if they keep messing with me.

"He said you are very pretty." Marcello laughs even harder, and I pinch his nipple through his shirt. He doesn't even flinch, but he cocks his eyebrow.

"Okay, Nips-of-Steel. Tell me what you said or else I'll change my mind and pleasure myself alone tonight." He chuckles a little more.

"In the hallway, I said, 'He must have hit it good today.' To Ezra, I said, 'I call first dibs on her mouth.'" Ezra rubs his hand down his face to keep himself from laughing again, and Marcello is prepared for me to snap at him. I'm in too good of a mood, and having him in my mouth sounds like a good idea to me. I decided to give him my resting bitch face since he wants to be funny.

"I am sorry I did not mean to upset you." He is trying to give a sincere apology, but he can't stop smiling. He's so damn cute that I accidentally crack a smile too. So much for acting angry.

"You're lucky you're cute." I tap his nose, and Ezra loses it.

"Cute? Did you just boop my nose?" Now it's my turn to laugh. He walks back out the door with me still in his arms and goes into my room.

Ezra closes my door.