Chapter 106
Vitale chuckled lightly and walked back to the warm restaurant.
Isabella looked up, seeing him return. There was no questioning look on her face, no uneasy probing.
She just smiled, her fingers lightly tapping the almost untouched dessert plate in front of her.
"This caramel pudding is pretty good. You should try it. The top is baked super crispy, and the pudding inside is smooth and fragrant."
Vitale felt the heavy feeling in his chest melt away in an instant.
He leaned down, hands resting on the table, his face close to hers.
"Feed me."
Isabella's cheeks turned slightly red, but she didn't refuse.
She carefully scooped up a spoonful of pudding with the dessert spoon and brought it to his mouth.
Vitale opened his mouth, taking the spoon, but his eyes stayed locked on her. His intense gaze made Isabella's fingers tremble slightly.
He chewed slowly, swallowed, and then smiled. "It's really good, but not as sweet as you."
Isabella's face grew even redder. She pulled the spoon back and lowered her head, pretending to keep eating the pudding, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but lift.
After a brief silence, she looked up, her gaze sweeping over the restaurant's fancy dome ceiling and delicate flowers before returning to Vitale's face.
Isabella said softly, "I've never been in such a nice place before. I mean, you've prepared everything so well, every little detail. I'm really looking forward to the beach fireworks. Seriously."
Vitale reached out, gently holding her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "I hope it makes you happy."
He paused, seeming a bit hesitant, but finally spoke. "By the way, about the fireworks, Laura and the others are coming too. Do you mind? I mean, I invited Amboni. There are some things I need to discuss with him, and it has to be tonight. Sorry, I should've told you earlier, but..."
He shrugged, a rare hint of apology on his face. "This third wheel has to be here. But Amboni said Laura really wants to see the fireworks, so..."
Isabella's eyes lit up.
She didn't let Vitale finish. Instead, she leaned forward, cupped his face with both hands, and kissed him on the lips.
When she pulled back, Vitale blinked in surprise.
Isabella smiled, her blue eyes shining with genuine joy. "I'm so happy. You included my friend Laura. You know we both love fireworks. You can talk business with Amboni, and Laura can watch the fireworks with me. It's perfect. I'm not upset, Vitale. I'm really happy."
Vitale looked at the pure trust and joy in her eyes. He reached out, wrapped his arm around her neck, pulled her close, and kissed her deeply in return.
This kiss was longer, more passionate, full of possessiveness and gratitude.
When Vitale finally pulled away, both of them were a little breathless.
"I'm so glad you're here," Vitale whispered, his forehead resting against hers. "Isabella, you're too good. So good that I feel like I don't deserve you."
Isabella lightly tapped his arm. "Don't say that. We deserve each other, in our own way."
After dinner, Vitale handed Isabella a thick cashmere shawl and a pair of warm wool socks.
"The beach might be cold," he said simply, helping her tie the shawl.
The car drove into a fenced-off area. At the entrance, two men in black coats stood guard. Seeing Vitale's car, they immediately opened the gate and nodded respectfully.
As they entered the beach area, Isabella saw more security personnel through the car window.
They were scattered behind sand dunes, near bushes, and even by the water in the distance. Dressed in dark clothes that blended with the surroundings, their alert postures and sharp eyes gave them away.
Henley approached and opened the car door for Vitale.
"Everything's ready, Mr. Luca," he said quietly, quickly scanning the area. "No issues. The fireworks team is set and can start anytime."
Vitale nodded and held out his hand.
Isabella placed her hand in his, letting him help her out of the car.
The moment she stepped onto the beach, a cold wind hit her face. Even with the thick shawl, Isabella shivered.
She instinctively moved closer to Vitale, her arm slipping around his waist.
Vitale sensed her tension and looked down at her. "Are you scared?"
Isabella hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. "No, just surprised. I know your world is different, but seeing this kind of security in person takes some getting used to."
She paused, looked up at him, and forced a smile. "But it's already great. At least right now, there are no gunshots or blood. Just fireworks, the beach, and friends. That's pretty luxurious in your world."
Vitale pulled her closer.
"I'll do my best to make sure you can have normal happiness in my world, even if it means locking down the whole beach and having twenty bodyguards on alert."
Isabella laughed, her smile real and warm. "Thank you, Vitale. Really."
Just then, headlights shone from the entrance.
Another car pulled in and stopped.
The door opened, and Amboni and Laura stepped out.
As soon as Laura saw Isabella, she waved excitedly and jogged over.
The two women hugged on the beach, jumping up and down like high school girls sneaking out to play, completely ignoring the serious atmosphere around them.
Laura laughed, her cheeks red from excitement and the cold. "Beach fireworks! Custom-made! This is so romantic!"
Isabella laughed too, hugging her friend tightly.
"How have you been? What happened at Amboni's birthday party after?"
Laura's face turned even redder, but her eyes sparkled.
"That night was special. Amboni proposed. He hid a ring in the cake. I said yes."
Isabella's eyes widened, and then she covered her mouth in surprise.
"Oh my God, Laura! Congratulations! Are you sure? I mean, Amboni's work, his world..."
Laura nodded. "I'm sure. I know what his world is like. But I also know he loves me and will protect me, just like Mr. Luca protects you. And..."
She smiled, a mature and confident smile Isabella had never seen before. "I'm learning how to use a gun too. Amboni's teaching me. He says I need to be able to protect myself when he can't get to me in time."
Isabella felt a mix of emotions.
She knew this was Laura's choice, just as she had chosen Vitale.
"Well then," Isabella finally said, holding Laura's hand, "let's watch the fireworks together and enjoy tonight. We'll worry about the future later."
Laura nodded enthusiastically. "Of course!"
At that moment, a staff member signaled that the fireworks were ready.
Vitale walked over to Isabella and Laura. "Ladies, the fireworks show starts in five minutes. You can sit in the lounge area where it's more comfortable. There are heat lamps, so you won't feel cold."
Then he nodded to Amboni, and the two men headed to the other end of the beach, where a small temporary tent was set up with tables and chairs, clearly prepared for their discussion.
Isabella and Laura settled onto the sofa in the lounge area. The warm glow of the heat lamps chased away the chill.
Staff brought them hot chocolate and small snacks.
"They're going to talk business?" Laura asked quietly, her eyes following Amboni's figure.
Isabella nodded, sipping her hot chocolate. "Vitale said there's something they have to discuss tonight. It's fine. We've got each other and the fireworks. Let them deal with their business."
Laura laughed, leaning back on the sofa. "You're right. Tonight, it's just two women watching fireworks. Doesn't matter how complicated their men's world is."
Inside the tent, Vitale and Amboni sat across from each other.
Henley stood guard outside, making sure no one came near.
Vitale lit a cigar, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled the smoke.
Amboni lit a cigarette too. The two men smoked in silence for a few moments, enjoying the brief calm that nicotine brought.
Then Amboni spoke, his voice low and serious. "Vitale, I heard Blake offered a high price to buy back control of the port. But why would he suddenly back down? Didn't he call you over to threaten you and force you to give up that land? Last time, we gave him the racetrack, and he was happy with it. He even wanted to take the Eldoria trade route for cheap. I thought you'd lose this time. But not only did you get double the money, you still kept control of the port."
He leaned forward, staring at Vitale. "Tell me, how did you do it? I'm dying to know."
Vitale smoked, his gaze drifting through the tent's transparent window to Isabella in the lounge area.
She was chatting and laughing with Laura, pointing at the sky, clearly excited for the fireworks.
He watched her for a long time before slowly turning back to Amboni, a cold, satisfied smirk curling his lips.
"You know about the winter sex party my father set up, the one Blake attends every year and always enjoys himself at."
Amboni nodded, his expression turning cautious.
"I sent someone in. Not to play, but to work. With a tiny camera. They got some interesting footage."
He paused, took a drag of his cigar, and blew out a perfect smoke ring. "Blake and Ali, in one of the party rooms. The video is clear. The audio is clear too."
Amboni's eyes widened. "You got compromising photos? Of Blake and Ali?"
Vitale nodded, his smile turning dangerous. "Yeah. And I picked the best parts and sent them to Blake's third wife, the politician's daughter. You know, her father's running for re-election right now. The last thing he can handle is a scandal."
Amboni sucked in a sharp breath. "My God. Then what?"
"Then Blake panicked," Vitale sneered. "He called me, his voice shaking, begging for my help. Because sometimes, bullets aren't as powerful as politics. Bullets can only kill, but politics—politics has laws, public opinion, and social status. And the law restricts us in the mafia. Public opinion can destroy us. Social status can leave us with nowhere to hide. So I demanded double the money, plus permanent control of the port. And he had no choice but to agree. Because compared to losing everything, giving up money and some power was the smaller price to pay."
Amboni stared at him for a long moment, then burst into laughter, slapping Vitale's shoulder hard.
"You're unreal, man. I thought after your sister's death and your parents' tragic end, you'd fall apart, get weak, and be eaten alive by those cunning bastards. I didn't expect you to do this well, to play harder and smarter than them!"
Vitale laughed too, his smile carrying the thrill of revenge.
"This isn't enough, Amboni. I'm going to tear down that whole nest. For Liliana. For my parents. Those killers, the people behind them. I'm going to find every single one and make them pay."
Amboni's expression turned serious.
He nodded, pulled out a tablet from his jacket, opened it, and pushed it toward Vitale.
"Costa's got results. They caught two of the killers. They're being brought over now. I've arranged a place—quiet, remote, soundproof. You can interrogate them. See if you can get the name of who hired them, who planned the murder."