Page 116 of Claimed At First Sight

For a moment, Mamma simply stares at me. Then she rises from the bed and begins pacing.

“She’s twenty-two,” I say quickly. “She’s an adult, Mamma. She met someone who isn’t in the mafia. After everything that happened with Luca, she wanted a chance at a normal life. She was going to tell everyone when we got home, once everything was official.”

Mamma presses her fingers against her temple.

“She disappeared to another country with a man none of us have met.”

When she puts it that way, it sounds a lot less romantic.

“How long has she known that man?”

“Long enough,” I say, deciding the vagueness means it technically isn’t a lie.

I don’t want to be the one telling her it’s only been a few weeks.

“I only found out about it the day you told us we’d be going to Chicago.”

Mamma stops pacing. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”

“Of course not. You would have tried to stop Isa. She’s old enough to make her own decisions and choose her own future.”

The frustration drains from her expression. When she speaks again, her voice is quieter.

“We only talked yesterday about the life we’ve been born into and that there is no getting out of it.” My gut clenches. “I’m not upset because she chose her own future, but because my daughter vanished without telling me where she was going.”

And I realize this isn’t anger. It’s fear.

“Mamma, I’m sure she’s fine.” I move closer and place a hand on her arm. “She’ll be married by now and on her honeymoon.”

“I pray you’re right.” The quietness of her answer twists something in my chest.

“We’ll see her when she gets back,” I say, my words not sounding so certain anymore.

Mamma shakes her head.

“I don’t think I can go now,” she says more to herself than me.

I frown. “Go where?”

A faint smile touches her lips, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.

“The Marco family has a cabin in Colorado. Aldo thought it might be nice to spend a few days together there.”

Her expression clouds again. “I was considering it, but now…”

Her gaze drifts toward the window.

“Now one of my daughters has vanished to Las Vegas with a man I’ve never met and who isn’t part of our world.”

I wince. It does sound alarming.

“Mamma, we’re probably not going to hear from Isa until she comes back from her honeymoon in a week.” I sit beside her on the bed and squeeze her hand.

“You should go. Spending time with Aldo without Ari, Sienna and me around will be good for both of you.” I nudge her, and she smiles a little.

“Mia—”

“Seriously, go. Otherwise, you’ll spend the next few days sitting here imagining every possible disaster scenario while Isa is ordering room service somewhere and having the time of her life.”