I had Oliver take her home after he dropped me at the station, it’s why they questioned my alibi at first. Again, my last words to Bethany ring in my head.
Shit.
“What am I supposed to do? Bella has already been craving female attention. This will be devastating for her.”
“Will it?” Gio lifts a brow at me.
“I don’t know. Lately, she’s seemed to be more and more afraid of Bethany. Thank God for Lizzy. Bella seems to smile the most when she’s around.”
“And there’s your answer. Hire Lizzy as your live-in PA, promote her. She’s been running your life like your office wife for three years now, whether you realize it or not.”
I blink a few times. Guilt consumes me. I was with Lizzy only seconds before answering Bethany’s call. Maybe if I had been out looking for my wife, she’d still be breathing. At least, then my daughter wouldn’t see me as the monster who told her mother to go die. A monster I never wanted her to see.
“That’s a complicated relationship. I don’t want to confuse Bella. There’s already so much on her little shoulders,” I say.
“You mean you want to fuck Lizzy,” Dario says.
“Is your dick still leaking for your best friend? Don’t judge me until you’ve finally gotten that nut out of the way.”
Dario gives me a smug smile. “Again, it’s only complicated because you want to fuck her. I said what I said, asshole.”
“About time,” Gio croons and slaps Dario on the back. “You two deserve to be together.”
“I didn’t say we’re together. I leave for Italy after the New Year. Nothing has changed.”
The smile falls from Gio’s face. He looks to Jace and gives a subtle nod. I would have missed it if I weren’t paying attention. Gio narrows his eyes on me when he sees me staring at him.
“Promote Lizzy. It will work out in the end. Bella is attached. Lizzy cares about her. You can trust her. I promise you that. Lizzy will always protect Bella with her life. It’s who she is,” he says in that big brother tone that tells me his word is final.
“Her nose is always in a book. She has a business to run. She can’t drop her life for mine.”
“It’s already done, Dante. Promote her or I will.”
“This is my daughter, my life, Gio. I have to think about her feelings and what’s best for her. Lizzy already told me her business is more important to her. She won’t want the job.” I stand and shout.
Gio gets in my face and looks into my eyes. His chest heaves. He cracks his knuckles at his sides.
“When have I ever led you wrong? When have I ever not been ten steps ahead in life? I see what you all don’t. My niece is my top priority. Get over your bullshit. This is the right thing to do. I have you covered. Lizzy’s life will work out to fit yours. It’s already done.”
With that, he turns and leaves. Dario tosses a thumb toward an exiting Gio and Jace.
“And Nonno wants me,” he snorts, then turns to leave me with my thoughts.
Chapter 12
Crushed
Dante
“Daddy, are we going to Grandpa’s for Thanksgiving dinner?” Bella asks with her big hazel eyes trained on me.
“No, sweetheart. I don’t believe we are. We need to have a talk.”
She tilts her head to the side as she watches me take the seat beside her on her bed. “Oh, I wanted him to see my new dress. Maybe I should save it for my next playdate with Lizzy. I can come to work with you next week to see her, right?”
“Well, princess. I don’t know if that’s going to be a great idea. A lot will be going on around the office, it might be better if you stay away for now.”
“But…does that mean I can invite Lizzy here? She can come when Mommy goes out, so Mommy doesn’t get mad again.”
“Bella, that’s what I need to talk to you about.”
I pull her into my lap and embrace her tightly. I swallow hard, trying to find the right words. No matter what, I’m about to change her world forever.
I kiss the top of her head. It smells like the coca butter Bethany used to use. I close my eyes and try to think of happier times. I picture the fresh-faced Bethany who ran up to introduce herself to me in high school.
She was gorgeous. Her face was hers, no shoots, no surgery. I loved the glow on her brown skin. It was a week later when my father introduced me to Bethany and her parents at dinner. I thought it was destiny. I was in love.
I now regret my stupidity. I should have seen so much. “Daddy?” Bella cups my face, bringing my attention back to her.
“I love you, Daddy. I’ll be good, so Mommy will stop being so mad at us. I promise.”