I move for the kitchen and stop in my tracks when I find Carleen. She has on headphones, so she doesn’t hear me. She’s cooking something and seems lost in thought.
From here, I can see her gaze is locked on her phone. She sends a text with a smile on her lips. Clearly, she’s unaware of the crime I’ve committed in the restaurant she’s co-owner of.
Something in her posture gives me pause. My eyes grow wide. I normally don’t get into my brother’s business, but I pull my phone as I back up and take a quick photo to send to him.
This life is a thief. Sad part is, while Dario doesn’t want it and probably deserves better, it calls me. A part of me loves it. I respect Dario for not dragging Carleen into this. However, I don’t know if he deserves to lose his chance at love.
Knowing if this is who I have to become once again, I can’t have Lizzy. She’s too sweet to be in this world. I’ve always believed it was the women who have ruined me and my life, but maybe I’ve been looking at this wrong. It’s the life that ruins the women and then they come for me and my heart.
Chapter 25
Your Valentine
Lizzy
“You look pretty,” Bella says while sitting on my bed, watching me get ready for my date with Jacob.
“Thank you. You look pretty too.”
She does. She’s adorable in the princess dress she’s wearing for her daddy-daughter date this evening. The tiara on her head looks like it’s worth half a year of my salary. Not to mention the diamond studs in her ears.
“You think so? You think Daddy will like it? I want to make him smile. His real smile is missing today.”
She’s right, Dante has been brooding all day. I’ve been steering clear of him. He came in late last night dressed in sweats, not the suit I’d seen him in before he left for the evening. I figured maybe he went for a run, but I noticed something was off with him right away.
“I think your father will think you look precious, and his smile will return the moment he sees you.”
Bella tilts her head and looks at me through the mirror. “I thought you would be our valentine. Why are you going out with this Jacob?” she says innocently.
I furrow my brows. I thought Dante was just taking Bella out to spend time with her. Another one of his sweet, fatherly gestures. It didn’t dawn on me today is Valentine’s Day. Is that what Jacob meant by this date was meant to be special? We talked while I was trying to get through a chapter in this new book.
I had one eye on Bella and the other on my book. Jacob’s voice was like white noise. I agreed to the date tonight to get off the phone and back to my book. With all the travel, my brain has been all over the place when it comes to dates.
Thank God for Nyla taking over my old job. She has saved my butt a few times now. I groan as my stomach flips. This date has just pitched my anxiety into overdrive.
I tune back in to answer Bella. “I forgot what day it was, love. I would have loved to be your valentine and join you. Jacob has been so patient for this date, and I don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
“Okay. I don’t want you to hurt his feelings.” She climbs off the bed and comes to hold my hand as she looks up at me. “I just want you to be happy. If this Jacob makes you happy, go be his valentine. You can be mine and Daddy’s next year,” she says.
“Bella, leave Lizzy to get ready. We need to go,” Dante says as he appears in my doorway.
I turn to him, a bit startled. His eyes are locked on me. I fidget a little, running my hands down the front of my thighs.
I want to palm my forehead. Now I get why Nyla said to wear red. The only thing I have that’s red is this strapless dress. It’s a bit snug and stops just above the knee.
I look Dante over. He has on a pair of black jeans and a red polo that stretches nicely over his torso and biceps and a leather jacket is in his hand.
“You should be back in time to help me put Bella to bed,” he says tightly. “Take Zek with you. Things are changing and I need to ensure your safety at all times.”
His tone is hard. I almost tell him I don’t need Zek. However, I bite the words back and nod. I’m sure I can talk Zek into waiting in the car. He has been accompanying Bella and me for the last six weeks.