Diego held his hands up in surrender. “I’ve got to keep her safe. The shootings were caused by my cousin. He’s switched sides and is working with our enemies.”
“There’s a surprise.”
“The hit was supposed to be on me. You took a bullet for me,” Diego said.
“I took a bullet for my daughter, Diego. Nothing more. Don’t read anything else into this. I love Belle, and I want to make sure she has as happy and fulfilling a life as possible.”
“You still don’t think that’s with me.”
“You’re marrying another woman.”
“Not if Belle’s pregnant.”
“Pregnant?”
“I’m setting up a deal. I have no wish to marry this woman. If she’s not Belle, I don’t want her.”
“You’re determined to see this through.”
“I’m determined to show the woman I love that I’m going to go all the way.”
“Diego, Belle’s blind. She’s never going to have a normal life. She’s never going to see danger coming. The life you’re offering her, it’s not a good one. She will be in the way.”
Diego ran a hand down his face. “Is that how you see her? In the way?”
“No, of course not.”
“I know Belle. I know her better than she knows herself. She’s strong. She doesn’t need either one of us to survive. She’ll never be in the way. She’ll never be a problem. I love her, Mr. Johnson. I love her more than anything. So much so I’m working my ass off to come up with an alternative deal. You’re not getting rid of me, and I’m not going to let you take Belle from me.” He got to his feet.
“This isn’t going to end well,” James said. “Belle will listen to me eventually. She’ll know what a mistake she is making.”
Diego was at the door. Glancing back at James, he shook his head. “No father will ever agree with the man who wants to marry their daughter. I’m not most men, James. I will not hurt your daughter again, but she will never listen to you.”
With that, he left James, making a point to the doctor to keep him in and safe. He didn’t want the other man messing up his plans.
Once he was outside the hospital, he made a call to Richard.
“Tell me what you’ve got.” He was still on Angelo’s trail, and it was starting to wear thin.
“Not a lot. There hasn’t been a sighting since the shootout. The club is still closed.”
“Good. I don’t want any heat on me.” He’d already had to deal with two women that had overdosed. Right now, he had one focus and that was getting Angelo. “Has there been any other sighting at his apartment?”
“Nothing.”
“I’m heading there now.” He’d not gone to Angelo’s apartment for the sole reason of lulling his cousin into a false sense of security. He was bored of trying to wait.
“You need backup.”
“No. I’ve got my men. What I need is for you to keep an eye on everything else.” He hung up his cell phone before climbing into the back of his car. He told his men where he wanted to go.
For now, until Angelo was caught, he had no choice but to take the extra protection. It pissed him off, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it. The rules had to be followed, and he had to make sure he stayed alive. Resting his head back against the seat, he closed his eyes. His thoughts, as always, returned to Belle.
He had broken her trust, and he knew she was bored staying at his home. He needed to stop by her apartment and get her some of her books that she loved to listen to. Between dealing with the cops, hunting Angelo, and trying to come up with a deal for Durante, he’d put all of his energies elsewhere. At night, he often collapsed in bed. Belle was always sleeping so never knew when he was there.
In her sleep, she would still curl up against him. The few moments where there was no anger or resentment, he’d bask in them, stroking her hair, loving her the only way he knew how.
It was never enough though.
Nothing with her was ever enough, and it fucking destroyed him.
“We’re here.”
Pulling out of his thoughts, he stared at the luxury building where his cousin usually lived. Climbing out of the car, he made his way inside, taking the stairs to the correct floor. Considering Angelo was afraid of heights, he ironically lived on the top floor, looking out over the city.
He didn’t have a key, so gripping the doorknob, he slammed his body weight against the door.
Once, twice, and a third time with the help of his men, and the door flung open.
The apartment hadn’t been touched, or at least, it looked pristine.
He didn’t linger or take his time. He was here on a mission, and it was simple what he had to do.