I kick off my heels and pad over to her. Taking a seat beside her, I open my arms for her. She launches her body at me. I have no choice but to hold on tight to keep us from tumbling to the floor.
“What can’t you find?” I say soothingly.
“My necklace. The one you gave me. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to lose it.”
“It’s okay, we can look for it later.”
“It’s not okay. I should have taken better care of it.” She’s crying uncontrollably at this point. I feel terrible. I never thought she’d be so upset about misplacing the necklace. I’m sure I can get another. Actually, I know I can find it.
“Shh, Bella. I promise I’ll find it.”
“You shouldn’t have to. Mommy said I needed to take better care of my things or I wouldn’t get any more nice stuff. I’m sorry. I’ll find it. Please don’t stop getting me things. You always give me the best stuff.”
“Oh, honey. Calm down, please. I know I can find it and you don’t have to worry about me not getting you things. How about we do some shopping during our lunch break? I’ll get you anything you want,” I say softly.
She pulls away and wipes at her tears. “Really?”
“Yes, of course. Are you ready to wash your face so we can leave? Your father is waiting.”
“Okay.” She wraps her arms around my neck and gives me a tight hug. “Thank you.”
“Actually, Liz, I want you two to stay here today,” Dante says, startling me.
I turn to find him in the doorway, that look still on his face. His attention is on his phone as his fingers fly over the screen.
“Is everything okay?”
“Something has come up and you guys will be safer here. Jace is on his way to spend the day with you. Don’t leave this house.”
His tone makes me furrow my brows and snap my head back. He frowns and looks up at me. His face softens and he moves over to us and squats to place a hand on my back as he leans to kiss Bella on her forehead.
“It’s better if you two remain home, safe. Please don’t go out until I come home. It will give me peace of mind. That means both of you,” he says the last part pointedly.
I nod my understanding as I look up into his eyes. I had plans this evening after work, but I guess I’ll have to change those. I haven’t gone skating with my team or to practice in a while, but I think they will understand.
He looks as if he wants to say more, but he shakes his head and stands to leave.
“Well, kiddo, I guess it’s you and me for the day. Let’s change,” I say to Bella.
“Can we look for my necklace? Oh, and will we still go shopping at lunch?”
“I’ll work on finding the necklace while you change. We can totally go shopping at lunch.”
Dante
I see I’m going to have to reveal who the fuck I am again. Jace noticed someone following Lizzy and Bella a few weeks back. I had been leaving for the office without them to allow Bella and Lizzy to sleep in.
I was livid when Jace and Gio first informed me. I had Mitch look into it. He had the understanding that I had no patience and whoever had been following them needed to be found ASAP, or someone else would lose their life for failing to do their fucking job.
The call that came in as we waited for Bella was Mitch with the location of the piece of shit following my assistant and my baby girl. I won’t be heading into the office today.
I’m on my way to get answers. I want to know who the fuck has lost their mind and why they are trying to make me kill them and everyone they know and care about.
“This is it, boss.”
I look out the window at the colonial-style home. We’re in a quaint little neighborhood. I now have a million questions. The back passenger door opens and Mitch climbs into the back of the SUV.
“This is just some nerdy guy. A nobody. I think he’s a fan of her channel,” Mitch grumbles, then sighs.
I shrug my suit jacket off my shoulders and tug it off, then toss it on the seat beside me. “Not a chance I’m willing to take, and if he is, and he’s following her, that’s a problem too.”
Mitch grunts. “How do you want me to handle this?”
“You’re not. Who’s in the house with him?”
“He has two roommates. Neither are here. They both left for work. They usually don’t return until late in the evening.”
I nod.
“Boss, you’re not going to do this in broad daylight?”
“The fuck I’m not.”
Lizzy lives under my roof so she’s mine to protect. I step from the car and head to the front door of the house. Mitch is hot on my heels. Once on the porch, I look around quickly before I ring the bell.