“Sure, it’s okay,” Gio says. “Uncle Gio will bring the queen to have tea with us.”
In the last five years, I’ve gotten to know the Di Lorenzo brothers as I’ve worked for them. However, I know Dante the least. His wife isn’t the easiest to stomach, so I tend to avoid her at all costs.
“Can we go now?” Speaking of the devil. Bethany steps up to Dante’s side, whining like a brat. “I don’t know why we have to be here in the first place. They work for us. We don’t have to mingle among them.”
“Bethany,” Dante bites out.
“What? There were a plethora of events we could have attended tonight that matter. Such a waste of a good costume.” She pouts.
I have to say, she is gorgeous in the adult version of Bella’s costume. Her brown skin looks like silk and her dark-brown eyes are lined with black, setting off their large oval shape. She pulls off Princess Jasmine well.
I can totally see what Dante sees in her before she opens her mouth. From what I know, they were high school sweethearts. Gio has never been a fan of Bethany, but he tolerates her for his brother. That’s love because I can’t stand being around this narcissistic woman. She makes my gums itch.
“Oh, don’t you look cute,” she says dismissively to Carleen.
“Get your wife, Dante,” Dario snarls.
Bethany rolls her eyes. “Don’t worry about me. We’re leaving.”
“We aren’t doing this for us. We’re here for Bella.” I notice Dante’s cheeks turning red with his anger.
“I want to take a picture with the Book Queen.”
This seems to bring Bethany’s attention to me. She narrows her eyes before rolling them over me. Her features pinch as if she sees something disgusting.
What is it they say? Never judge a book by its cover. She’ll be smart to choose her words wisely. This book has pages she doesn’t want to read.
“Oh please, that’s just Daddy’s nerdy assistant. She’s not even his executive assistant, let alone a queen. You don’t need a picture with her.”
“Why do you have to make everything about you and be rude to the people who help you live the life you’re so privileged to live? Enough. Go wait in the car.”
Bethany scowls at him and places her hands on her hips, looking as if she’s about to go off. However, Dante places Bella on her feet and grabs his wife by the arm, tugging her a few paces away.
Bella moves to me and grabs hold of my hand. I look down at her and smile. Her eyes get as big as saucers. I give her a quick wink before I look back up at Mr. and Mrs. Di Lorenzo.
Dante has leaned into his wife’s ear to say something that takes the wind out of her sails. She glares up at him before storming away. Dante returns to our group, placing a hand on top of Bella’s little head.
She’s had her eyes on me since her father put her down, totally unaware her parents are fighting. I lift my gaze to Dante’s as he clears his throat.
“Before we go, will you take a picture with Bella? I think it will make her night. You’re all she could talk about from the moment she saw you.”
“She has better taste than you, brother,” Gio says.
“Don’t start.”
There’s so much bite in Dante’s warning I flinch. He looks back at me and gives a weak smile. It dawns on me how unhappy he has looked in the last few months.
I bend and lift Bella into my arms. Dante takes out his phone, but Gio rushes to take it from him and pushes him toward me and Bella.
“You have to take this with them,” he says.
I stiffen as Dante places his hand on my waist, drawing Bella and me into his side. He releases me as soon as we’re closer to him. I feel like such a fool. He only wants his daughter closer to him and I have her in my arms.
“Look, Daddy. I kissed a queen,” Bella says as she cups my face and kisses my cheek.
“Aww, that was perfect,” Gio croons. “Two of my favorite girls and my little brother.”
“Thank you,” Dante leans to whisper in my ear.
He takes his daughter from me and turns to leave. Bella waves at me from over her father’s shoulder. I smile and wave back. Once they’re out of sight, I go to return to my book. However, Gio blocks my way and pinches my chin between his fingertips.
I search his face as he seems to search my eyes. When he finds whatever he’s looking for, he nods.
“I was right. They belong with you.”
He releases my face and turns to disappear with Jace at his side. A shiver runs down my spine. I’m left feeling like I just signed over my soul.