Dangerous Secrets: My Mafia Stepbrother

Isabella wasn’t the type to flaunt her status and pressure others. Although her current position commanded respect similar to Emanuele’s, she didn’t easily emphasize her role as the Queen of the Chicago Mafia. She believed in equality and freedom for everyone, except when someone’s actions were egregiously malicious-like Christina.

Upon hearing Isabella mention her status as the Chicago Mafia Queen, the color drained from Christina’s face. Her heart felt like it might burst out of her chest, and a chilling sensation spread through her body, freezing her blood in its veins.

Why? It shouldn’t be like this…

How could this woman be the Mafia Queen? Emanuele’s wife?!

Oh, right! She vaguely recalled seeing her at her brother and Grazia’s wedding. However, at that time, Isabella was inconspicuous, not saying a word, silently following Emanuele. So, Christina hadn’t paid much attention.

Now…

Christina immediately turned to Rocco. “Brother, I didn’t know she’s Emanuele’s wife.”

“You didn’t know? But you know I’m friends with Grazia. Even so, you disrespected me, hit me. Rocco, look at your sister acting like she’s the mistress of this house, disregarding Grazia’s status. Where does she think she is?” Isabella spoke with a mix of frustration and disappointment.

Rocco frowned, casting glances between Isabella and Christina. Christina, upon learning Isabella was Emanuele’s wife, had lost her arrogance and now appeared genuinely fearful.

How unlucky could she be? Why was Isabella staying at her brother’s place? No one informed her beforehand.

Annoying!

“Christina, no matter what, you shouldn’t have cursed Isabella. She’s not just the Queen of the Chicago Mafia; she’s also our guest. You were terribly rude. Apologize to Isabella right now.” In the end, Rocco sternly demanded an apology from Christina.

Christina, unwilling and resentful, kept glaring at Isabella, resembling Rocco in their blue-eyed, gloomy-eyed gaze. However, Christina lacked the intimidating presence Rocco possessed. Her ferocity was only skin-deep; in reality, she was incredibly weak.

“I’m sorry, Isabella. I shouldn’t have cursed you. I apologize.” Christina lowered her proud head, offering an apology to Isabella.

“Your apology should not only be directed at me but also at Grazia. She’s your sister-in-law, yet you’ve shown her no respect. She’s pregnant now, and if anything happens, Rocco won’t let you off.” Isabella intentionally emphasized this point, knowing how much Rocco cared about the child. Rocco’s eyes betrayed a hint of coldness.

He hadn’t expected Christina, knowing Grazia was pregnant, to still demand Grazia to serve her tea. What if she got scalded?

Christina sensed the icy stare from her brother. Although he favored her, there were limits. He was devoted to having a child, and if anything happened to jeopardize that because of her, Rocco would undoubtedly punish her.

“Grazia, I’m sorry. I apologize to you; it wasn’t intentional,” Christina was on the verge of tears. Her face contorted, with the flesh squeezed together, looking quite unsightly.

“It’s okay,” Grazia replied. As Rocco’s wife and Christina’s sister-in-law, she didn’t want to escalate the situation.

After Christina’s apology, Rocco added, “Christina, you better go back home. If you don’t want to, you can stay in the apartment I bought for you. But for now, don’t come to my house. Grazia is pregnant, and I’m afraid you might harm her.”

Knowing his sister well, Rocco had previously turned a blind eye to Christina’s behavior because of their familial relationship. However, now he wasn’t willing to continue this way.

“Brother, you can’t treat me like this! I don’t want to go back; Marcos will kill me,” Christina exclaimed. “Look at these injuries on my arms; Marcos inflicted them. I don’t want to go back.”

Christina uncovered her arms, revealing numerous scars-some deep, some shallow, with scabs indicating recent wounds from a whip.

Isabella, however, felt no sympathy. Even if Christina led a miserable life, it wasn’t an excuse for her to bully others.

Despite Christina’s protests, Rocco arranged for her to be escorted away.

After Christina left, the living room fell into silence. Rocco turned to Isabella, asking, “Isabella, are you satisfied now?”

“Quite satisfied. I don’t want to see Grazia bullied. She’s your wife, and it shouldn’t be my responsibility as your sister to protect her.”

“I understand. I misjudged the situation earlier. I thought, being family, things wouldn’t get too ugly. I didn’t expect Christina to be so overboard. I apologize to both of you,” Rocco sincerely expressed.

He approached and hugged Grazia. “Grazia, I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have let you be mistreated.”

Grazia also embraced Rocco. “I don’t blame you.”

She felt it was rare for Rocco to acknowledge his mistakes. In the future, Christina probably wouldn’t disturb them so easily.

Isabella knew her mission in Italy should be completed now.

Grazia had come to Isabella because she encountered a troublesome person. Now, with Christina out of the picture, Grazia’s days should be more comfortable.

Isabella stayed in Italy for a few more days. Before leaving, she invited Grazia to visit Chicago.

“I won’t be able to roam freely during my pregnancy, Rocco won’t allow it. I might have to wait until after I’ve given birth.”

“Then, we’ll wait for the good news. When the time comes, I want to be the child’s godmother,” Isabella said, patting Grazia’s belly.

Before departing, Isabella also touched base with Grazia about the events in Chicago. “You’ve got to take care of yourself here. I can’t visit often, but we can keep in touch through video calls. Hopefully, you’ll make a friend or two in Italy to ward off any boredom.”

Back in her top-tier apartment, Isabella arrived in the afternoon. Lilly, having received an early notification, had prepared food for Isabella. Isabella recounted the events in Italy to Lilly.

“Just thinking about Grazia being bullied in a foreign land makes me sad. I have to tell Emanuele about this tonight!”

Lilly had seen Grazia grow up and felt her destiny had been quite rough.

“Oh, Lord, Grazia is so kind. I hope you’ll watch over her. Isabella, ask Grazia when she’s coming back to Chicago. I’ll make a delicious blueberry cake for her.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Unfortunately, such treats were best enjoyed fresh. Otherwise, Lilly would have made one for Isabella to take to Italy.

“She said she’ll wait until after giving birth.”

“That’s still more than half a year away.” Lilly also felt a bit sad. She joined her hands in a prayer pose. “May the Lord protect her.”