Chapter 43

The next few days went well, Leonardo could feel Isabella lean on him more, she even laughed at his random jokes and all. They were in the garden having grilled fish when his phone vibrated in his pocket.

“excuse me Bella, I have to pick up this call,” he said excusing himself

“Good evening Boss” the voice from the other side greeted

“How are things over there?” he asked, he had forgotten of his plan to move Isabella to his other house in the city but he feared they might be estranged if they go there.

“Things over here are good, but it's been more than a week now boss,” Vito said reminding him.

“I will be there soon, just arrange the necessary things and wait for my arrival” Leonardo instructed.

Leonardo's expression changed from cheerful to serious in a matter of seconds. She wondered who was on the phone and what they could have said to affect him so drastically.

"Everything okay, Leonardo?" she asked, concern etched on her face as he returned to the table.

"Yes, everything's fine," he replied curtly, his eyes avoiding hers. He sat for a while before excusing himself leaving Isabella In a confused state.

Isabella knew his change of mood was related to the phone call he just had, she wanted to ask him why the change of mood but he didn't look like he was in the mood for questions.

She sat outside for a while before deciding to go in because it seemed like he wouldn't be coming back.

************

“Marco come to my office immediately” he ordered

“Yes boss,” Marco said as he entered his office panting and sweating profusely

“Pick up the necessary things, pick a few men, we are going back to base tomorrow” he instructed

“Base? erhm boss what of Mason and Isabella?” he asked as he slowly raised his head.

Leonardo knew Isabella was coming with him but he hadn't thought of Mason, he paced the room for some time “ Bella is coming with me, as for Mason he should stay back for now” he instructed.

“Okay Boss” he responded

“Tell Miss Payne to come see me in my office,” he said to Marco as he was leaving his office.

In a few minutes, Miss Payne was in his office,

“I need your help Miss Payne” he pleaded

“what is it boy” Miss Payne said walking towards him.

“ I need you to come to base with me,” he said in a calm tone.

“You know I don't like the base, I know you need someone to watch over that child,” Miss Payne said with a smile on her face. Leonardo knew it was true, Miss Payne had been the only one to bring out this side of him and now there was Isabella.

“Please, Miss Payne. I need someone I trust to watch over Isabella while I'm...taking care of some business,” Leonardo said, his eyes pleading.

Miss Payne sighed, her expression softening. “Fine, boy. I'll come with you. But you owe me one.”

Leonardo smiled, relieved. “I owe you more than one, Miss Payne. Thank you.”

As Miss Payne left his office, Leonardo felt a sense of relief wash over him. He knew he could trust her to watch over Isabella, and he needed someone he trusted to keep an eye on her while he was dealing with his...business.

Isabella was informed the next day by one of the housekeepers, she didn't know how to react to the news.

All through that day she didn't catch a sight of Leonardo it was as though he vanished. She was curious to know if Mason was coming with them but seeing that Leonardo wasn't in sight there was no way to find out.

The next day Isabella did her normal morning routine, she wasn't too happy to leave, the room was filled with memories so was the house. She glanced at the room once more before following the bodyguard who had been waiting for her outside.

“Good morning Ma'am” Isabella greeted as stood close to Miss Payne

“Call me Miss Payne, child” Miss Payne said with a smile

Isabella was quiet until they landed, her eyes fixed on the scenery outside the window. Leonardo knew she was still confused about the sudden change of plans, but he couldn't explain it to her yet.

As they arrived at the base, Leonardo could feel the tension in the air. His men were waiting for him, their faces serious. He knew something was wrong, and he could feel it in his gut.

“Boss, we've had a situation,” Vito said, his voice low and urgent. "One of our men was found dead this morning. We think it's our enemies striking again."

Leonardo's expression turned cold in an instant, his eyes narrowing into slits as his face turned cold and hard. "Enemies?" he spat, his voice low and deadly. "What the... Vito, check every trace, every detail, every possible lead. Hack into any website, any CCTV camera, or any database necessary. Find me the culprit."

Vito nodded swiftly, his eyes wide with understanding, and hastened off to carry out Leonardo's orders. Leonardo turned to Isabella and Miss Payne, his gaze piercing. "Stay close to me, both of you. We have a situation on our hands."

Isabella nodded, her eyes wide with fear, her face pale. Miss Payne, gave her a reassuring smile to put her at ease.

As they walked through the base, Leonardo could feel the tension in the air. His men were on high alert, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of danger. He knew something was off, and he could feel it in his gut.

Leonardo knew something was off, something that didn't sit right with him. He could feel it in his gut, a nagging sense of unease that refused to dissipate.

Just then, Vito reappeared, his face grave. "Boss, we've found something," he said, his voice low and urgent.

Leonardo's eyes snapped to Vito's face. "What is it?"

Vito hesitated, as if unsure of how to proceed. "The bullet in his body... it has a symbol on it."

Leonardo's eyes narrowed. "Let me see it."

Vito handed him the bullet, and Leonardo examined it carefully. Apart from the R shape carved into the bullet, it looked pretty normal. But Leonardo knew better. He knew that symbols like this were never just random. They always meant something.

"Do some more digging," he instructed Vito. "I want answers by tomorrow."

With that, Leonardo turned to Miss Payne. "Please help Isabella settle in. She looks a bit shaken."

Miss Payne nodded, her eyes softening. "Come, child," she said, holding out her hand to Isabella.

Isabella took it, her eyes wide with fear, as if she knew that she was stepping into a world she might never escape. And in that moment, she knew that she was indeed welcome to the Mafia world.