CHAPTER THREE
ISABELLA
I can't believe the Capo caught me staring at him. The look he gave me chilled me to my bones. I could have lost the consolation money if he decided that the way I looked at him was bad. I had to make myself invisible so I don't cause more trouble than I mean to.
I'm the last girl to go in so I find a comfortable place to sit down and observe everyone. I would be playing games on my phone or scrolling through the Internet but they took our cell phones at the door. I'll let the first three girls go in then I'll go find the second reason why I'm here.
A looming figure stands over me and when I look up, I tense a little. What are the odds that the second in command came to wish me good luck?
"Follow me." He says.
I stand wordlessly and follow him out of the hall. I try not to notice the snickers and the stares. Girls who used to be my friends stopped talking to me the second my father was declared a traitor.
Marco leads me to an office and locks the door when we enter.
"Why are you here?"
There's no hint of a smile on his face. Somehow the selection process wasn't in his control, I'm sure I would not be here if it was.
"Things have been difficult for my father and I ever since you branded him a traitor, sir. I came for the consolation money." I say meekly.
While he can't kill my father, I don't hold out hope that he'll feel the same towards me.
"Your father should have thought about your future before he decided to be a rat."
"He didn't do anything. He swore it to me."
"So it was a coincidence that the same detective your father was talking to made a bust at a secret warehouse a mere two hours after talking to your father?"
"Yes!" I say, raising my voice a little.
His nose flares and I step back.
"I will give you the money right now, leave."
I take a deep breath and meet his eyes.
"With all due respect, I will go in like everyone else."
"I can have you thrown out."
"You can."
He stares silently at me before opening the door and walking out. As soon as he's out the door, I release a breath I didn't know I was holding in. He is scary. Father was right, these are dangerous men.
By the time I make it back into the hall, the seventh girl was going in. I take a seat and hope it continues going this fast so I can get the money and go home.
The seventh girl comes out crying and we all sit a little straighter. Smiles start to fade and real fear starts showing on some of the girls faces. Everything I've ever heard about the Capo starts coming to mind, rumors of how he killed his wife and how cruel he is. And most recently, the blood on his shirt. He couldn't even change into new clothes before meeting with us.
Time flies after that and before I know it, it is my turn. While we were waiting, a woman came to instruct us on things to do to make him pick us. She said he doesn't like meek, docile women and even though I don't have a chance of being picked, I want to reduce that chance to zero.
I take a deep breath and channel every docile woman I have ever met. The door is opened for me and I enter without meeting his gaze. I take a seat and don't say a word. We were told to introduce ourselves but I won't.
We sit in silence for minutes and when I can't take it anymore, I look up at him. He's not looking at me, he's reading a book. I start to feel offended but remind myself that I'm a docile woman and docile women do not voice their irritation.
"My name is Bella." I say softly.
He looks away from his book temporarily to look at me before nodding.
"Okay," he says and goes back to his book.
Okay? That's it?
"I like knitting and watching sunsets." I say again.
I have never done those things in my life but they sound boring and I need to say something to ease the silence.
He finally drops his book, leans back on his chair and picks up his glass of whiskey.
"Why did your father think it was okay to be a rat?" He asks before taking a sip.
My immediate reaction is to deny everything and announce my father's innocence but I remember that I'm playing meek and silent so I clear my throat and look everywhere but at him.
"It was a coincidence and a misunderstanding. He is not a traitor."
"And yet he refuses to tell anyone what he discussed with the detective."
That is where my annoyance with my father starts. If he could just tell everyone what he discussed with the detective then all these things wouldn't be happening.
"I didn't know about it until today. It happened before I took over. He would have died and his explanation gone with him if I had been made aware earlier."
My eyes meet his and what I find chills me to the bone. He means what he's saying and even worse, he's enjoying my reaction to the threat against my father's life.
"I also like water color painting." I say, trying to change the subject.
I know I don't stand a chance with him. He's enjoying this conversation about my father dying and if I lose my temper with him, it might end terribly.
He gives me a look before straightening.
"That will be all," he says, suddenly cold.
I don't have to be told twice. I stand up and slowly walk to the door. I join the rest of the girls outside for the money and other gifts. The Capo will contact us when he makes a decision.
I don't pay any mind to the date, I know it won't be me.