“It’s already done. Keep Dante and Bella safe and happy and you’ll have a friend for life. Anything you want, Izzy, ask and it’s yours.”
“But I have to keep my mouth shut about who and what I am?”
“This should always be implied and understood,” Jace says from the couch.
I turn to look at him. He never speaks. Given that he has chosen to now drives home how important it is for Dante to never know who I truly am.
“Got it.”
“Would you like to help us pick your replacement?” Gio says and lifts a brow.
“Definitely not Peter.” And then it hits me. A smile comes to my lips. “They will work closely with you, like I did, right?”
Gio narrows his eyes, but nods.
“I think I know the perfect person.”
Jace chuckles. I turn to look at him and catch a smile on his lips. Yup, I have the perfect replacement. It will benefit us all.
Chapter 14
Cruel Women
Dante
“What is it you wanted to talk to me about?” Gio asks as he takes the seat in front of my desk.
“Do you trust Lizzy? I mean, in terms of our family. The truth.”
Gio tilts his head to the side. “I thought I made myself clear. Why are you stalling? You should have announced her promotion and given her the details of her new position by now.”
I rub my hands up and down my face. “I’m moving her into my home. With my daughter. I need to know this is the right thing to do. I just buried my wife. Forgive me if this wasn’t on my list of priorities.”
He bares his teeth at me. “Do I trust her? I do. You know she wouldn’t be this close if I didn’t. It’s the right thing to do, Dante. Go out there and call her in for the promotion.”
“I will, but not for the promotion. Just to talk, this needs to be something she wants to do. She’ll be dealing with Bella. She has to want this. I can’t have Bella thinking she’s responsible for another adult’s unhappiness.”
“Do what you feel you must, Dante. I assure you, she will take the promotion. I hired her for a few reasons. She’ll be a great addition to your travel team and executive staff. Bella is already important to her.”
I wrinkle my brows. Nothing is ever as it seems with my brother. I go to zone in on his words, but my phone grabs my attention. I hold a finger up to let Gio know I need a second.
I open the text message from the unknown number to find a picture of my dead wife. She’s in the arms of another man. His back is to the camera, so I can’t make out his face. However, I know it’s Bethany because of the clothing. I remember the day she wore the outfit as if it were yesterday.
I scroll to the next picture, and this time I still can’t see the man’s face, but I can look right into Bethany’s eyes. I bring the photo into focus, trying to get a better look at the man.
This has to be the guy we need to silence. I need to know who he is. And why is someone sending this to me now? Could this be her killer?
“What? What is it?” Gio says.
I toss the phone across the desk. He catches the phone and looks down at it. I don’t know if I want to toss this desk or sag in relief that we have a lead, at least.
She hasn’t been in the ground for four full days and Bethany is still fucking with my life from the grave. It’s like I was never meant to be happy.
“Don’t worry about this. I told you, I’ll take care of it.”
“Should I feel this numb? Why do the women in our lives want to hurt us so much? First Mom, now Bethany. I don’t think I want to get into another relationship. My life can’t take it.”
“Listen to me. You’re right. Life has been fucked up for us. We got the short end of the stick. However, there’re always the demons playing in the background. You don’t know who they are, but they are there. Don’t allow them to win. You deserve to be happy, not bitter. Let the past go. Good things are coming your way, Dante. I promise, little brother. If it takes my last breath, this I promise you.”
In the back of my mind, I know I should ask my brother more questions. Why is he so sure of his words? What does he know that I don’t?
However, the sad look on my daughter’s face pops into my head and the last words I spoke to my wife, who was about to die, play in my head. Happiness isn’t meant for me.
All I can do is nod. I will never allow another woman to get close to me, for Bella’s sake. I’ll swear off the opposite sex. They’re all evil and aim to tear out my heart.