“Do you have children of your own?”
“Ha, you’d have to date for that,” I snort.
“But you have a date tonight, is that correct?”
“I did. I’ll have to reschedule if you need me to stay late.”
I honestly expect him to tell me I don’t have to cancel. He’ll ask someone else to stay, but he does no such thing. His expression is impassive. I feel like somehow I’ve done something wrong.
I shake the thought off. “Bella is a delight and so smart. I’ve taken to her too.”
Dante nods. “You should join us for lunch. She would like that. Order whatever she wants. If you need anything for her while I’m working, have Michelle charge it to my black card.”
“Okay, no problem. I’ve got it covered. I’ll have plans to show you for the party by tomorrow.”
“Take your time. I appreciate you doing this.”
“No problem. It’s my job.”
His lips thin. “No, no, it’s really not.”
Dante
Am I a bastard for making sure Lizzy doesn’t go on her date? Hell, yeah, but I’ll be damned if she goes on a date dressed like that. The purple off-the-shoulder sweater dress fits her long curvy body like a glove. I even like her quirky vintage strappy ’50s heels.
Her outfit is a far cry from the goth stuff she normally wears, at least that I’ve noticed. When she reached over her desk for her tablet, I thought I was going to burst through my slacks. Clearly, she either A, doesn’t have on any panties or B, she has on a very thin thong.
Either way, her full, lush ass has the perfect shape and the right amount of jiggle. Her hips complement her long legs and the bubble seat of her backside. Bethany has done so much nip and tuck I don’t think she even has an ass anymore. Not that I have a single desire to touch her at this point.
I don’t know what turned me on more, the dress or how Lizzy handled my daughter. Bella soaked the attention up. It’s hard having a daughter in a family full of men. Another reason I’ve been reluctant to divorce.
“Hello,” I answer my cell phone and sit behind my desk.
“Mr. Di Lorenzo?”
“Yes, how can I help you?”
“This is First Credit Finance. My name is Keith, my ID number is three-seven-six-five-four-eight. I’m calling because there seems to be a charge that has triggered our fraud department.”
“What’s the charge and where was it made?”
“Mercedes Benz. In the amount of ninety-five thousand six hundred and seventy-five, sir.”
I nearly throw my phone across the room. That’s the same amount as the truck Bethany asked me for not too long ago. I priced it as I thought for a split second about purchasing it for her. Right before she started to work my last nerve.
“Decline the charge. As a matter of fact, freeze the card the charge was made from.”
“I can do that for you, sir. I’ll just need you to answer a few questions for me if you don’t mind.”
“Yes, but let’s make this quick. I have a conference call to get to.”
I spend the next ten minutes closing Bethany’s card and making plans to cut her off from a whole lot more.
Chapter 6
I’ll Be Good
Lizzy
Oh my God. I love this little girl, she’s so stinking cute. She’s taken off her blazer and has taken a seat in the accent chair, mimicking my posture as we all eat lunch in Dante’s office. Gio and Jace have joined us, so we’re sitting in Dante’s lounge area.
The guys have taken up all the couch space after I insisted. They’re all over six feet tall. Gio and Jace have to be at least six-four, six-five and Dante is a good six-six. I opted to sit on the floor even though Jace and Gio did try to make room for me on the couch.
I allowed Bella to sit in the only accent chair left. However, she still sits with her legs tucked to her side. I wasn’t sure if she was modeling after me until I switched sides and she did as well.
“Lizzy, are you going to finish your egg roll? Daddy keeps looking your way like he’s still hungry,” Bella says, and both Gio and Jace burst into laughter.
I look to Dante, but he clears all emotions from his face. He clears his throat and tosses his napkin onto his plate.
“I’ve had more than enough to eat, Bella. Allow Lizzy to eat her food in peace.”
“She’s not bothering me. I’m going to eat this egg roll though,” I reply.
“Here, Daddy. You can have the rest of my rice. I’ve had enough,” Bella offers.
“I’m fine, Bella.”
“Here, I’ll take that,” Gio says, taking the plate to place it on the coffee table before Bella spills it.
Instantly, she scoots from her seat and comes to sit beside me on the floor. I grin as she watches me, scooting closer to see how far I’ll allow her to get. I chuckle and wrap an arm around her to pull her into my side. She gives me the biggest smile ever and leans her head against me.