Bella (A Sagatori Family Saga Mafia Romance Book 2) by Kimberly Blalock Page B

was being hosted at the home of Tito Toscano the underboss for the Sagatori crime family. I’d never been invited in the past. I was the daughter then, but now, handled most of the dinners since Momma had passed. But before that Momma had been the one to organize these functions. She was always organizing something. She really enjoyed helping and being productive.
    The long corridor gave me a small amount of time that I desperately needed to adjust to the feeling of Jax's hand that had covered mine. His hand was warm and tense; the insurmountable stress was palpable in his touch. The doors were opened for us; two suit-clad men stood rigid as they greeted us with an unwelcomed pat-down sliding unnecessarily across my breasts.
    A snarl erupted from Jax’s’ throat and the man quickly stepped away. “Sorry, Mr. Moretti, my apologies.” Jax’s eyes were wicked. He had to maintain authority and composure if he was going to have the respect the boss needed in order to lead this family. I’d seen it for years with Papa, he’d never take anyone’s shit.
    Our feet smoothly stepped in line with each other’s. Jax wore a dark suit, crimson tie, and matching handkerchief folded neatly into thirds tucked into the pocket of his jacket. My eyes fell to the ground watching our feet stride in sync. His strides were longer and smoother than mine. My legs were smaller, making my steps shorter and with the long gown, and I desperately prayed I wouldn’t trip on my face. I also needed to maintain composure as his wife. Could you imagine the laughs behind my back if I’d messed this up? But as if he knew I was anxious his hand clutched tightly onto mine.
    “Moretti.” The bald-headed man that approached reverberated. “Welcome to my home. His beady eyes met mine and a smile pecked at his thin lips. His hand extended towards my torso. I wasn’t sure but it felt as if Jax’s hand had tensed at Tito’s approach towards me. “Isabella. Your father was a good man, a respected man.” His eyes were mischievous. I’d seen that look before. I’d of course seen several of these men at Papa’s funeral, but they only shook my hand giving their condolences and then departed ways.
    “Yes, it’s good to see you again.” My voice cracked. An involuntary shiver tattered my skin. I was all too aware that he was the epitome of a made man.
    His eyes stayed on me for a second too long making me feel uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t let him know how he'd made me feel. Screw that shit. I was Bella Sagatori, well I was actually Bella Moretti, but I was still my father’s daughter and weakness wasn’t in our blood. So I smiled, meeting his stare head on. I stood tall in my three-inch heels and squeezed his hand, not like a dainty princess, but like a woman who could reach into her bag and take out a gun, point it to his portly temple, and pull the trigger without hesitation. Okay, I’m dramatic, I didn’t have a gun because they weren’t allowed during these gatherings. They were kept in the car or confiscated. Jax had left his gold finished guns he always carried with him in the car, and I didn’t have a gun so that was pretty much wishful thinking.
    Momma had a few of these ladies over when I was younger, and I’d see them drinking wine and laughing, but that was grown up time. I played upstairs with the other children who came with the women, the other Cosa nostra children. We were so clueless what our parents’ had been up to. We didn’t care either. They loved us and that was all that mattered. To others, our life may have been strange, but to us, it was as normal as it could possibly be.               
    Jax drew me into his side. I could hear his breaths, feel his chest heave once then twice. “Stay with the women. I’ll be back shortly.” I nodded again. “Dominic will be with you the entire time if you need anything just ask. Understand?” I didn’t answer. I examined him, there was worry etched into the lines