“Ah, I see. What do we do? You Americans and the law. Don’t they see the good we do for our community?”
“I think we should leave as soon as possible.”
“Not before Christmas. Bella needs her family.”
“I may not have that much time.”
Nonno’s eyes turn hard. “We will make time. Nothing comes before family.”
I rub my fingers across my lips and look to Gio. He nods his head at me.
“I’ll take care of this. You and Nonno can leave the morning after. Trust me, I’ll have things held off until then.”
I grunt and nod, needing Carleen in my arms more than ever. This is the storm I’ve been feeling coming for me. Even with Gio’s connections, I don’t know how safe I’ll be. I don’t even know what they want me for.
“Go, find your pretty partner and celebrate your success. The guests are talking about the food. This is good for Di Lorenzo business.”
I open the door and step out, leaving them behind. My mind turns over so many things from over the past few months.
What the fuck am I missing?
Gio
“That went better than I thought,” I say as the door closes behind Dario.
“Yes, but will he remain in Italy while you make these moves?” my grandfather asks.
“As long as he doesn’t find out about the baby and she’s safe, I think he will.”
“But why hasn’t she told him about the bambino?”
“I don’t know. I’m counting it as luck so I’m not going to pry.”
“You don’t think she’s thinking of…getting rid of it?”
The amount of sadness in Nonno’s eyes tugs at my heart. The thought never crossed my mind. Carleen loves my brother too much for that.
“No, she would never.”
Nonno turns to Jace. “To be safe, you will enter her life. Make sure my great-grandchild is safe.”
I smile to myself. I already have this covered, but just like I made it so Dario thinks he’s made this decision to leave ahead of schedule, I’ll allow Nonno to think he’s given Jace this command.
Chapter 23
My All
Carleen
It’s been a few days since my uncle’s party and Dario has been distracted, distant, and grumpy. He’s never been this way with me.
I’m trying to give him his space. I’ve been in the guest room all day even though he’s been at work and it’s my day off. I used to hate when we didn’t have the same day together. However, I’ve been happy to have time to think.
My phone rings, pulling me out of my thoughts. I see it’s Blake and smile as I answer. We haven’t talked since our lunch.
“Hello.”
“Hey, Car, you have a minute?”
“You know I do for you. What’s up?”
“I’m tired, Car. You’re the only one who understands why I married Fred in the first place. I thought I’d be safe and loved. Now…I feel trapped. He wants nothing from life and thinks I’m supposed to be content with that.”
“Oh, honey. You deserve so much better. You can’t let your past haunt you forever. Especially not for some dusty-ass white boy who lucked up and caught you at a really vulnerable point in your life.”
“Car, he’s gotten us into so much debt with some really bad people. I’m going to have to leave him and hide somewhere until his shit blows over…I’m not coming back to him. I just need to make sure his BS doesn’t reach me.”
I think of Gio and get ready to tell her to call him. I pause as I think over what that would say about me. How that would involve me.
I’m going to be honest and say to myself that I haven’t been asking questions because I don’t know how that could tip the scales. My cousin is a federal prosecutor. One whiff of what I think I know, and Toni could be after my man and his family.
“Blake, you do what you need to do. I’ll be here anytime you need. My money is your money.”
“Thanks, Car. I just wanted to let someone know before I disappear. I’m done. I can’t do this anymore. My soul is tired. I love you, Carleen.”
“I love you too.”
“Car?”
“Yeah?”
“I didn’t get to answer you the other day, but I just want you to know. Yes, you’ve changed, and Dario has always been behind those changes, but it’s not all bad.
“You seem happier now. Dig for that spark, that’s all that’s missing. I think you’ve become consumed by your man without realizing it. You know how you get lost in taking care of the people you love? How you do so much for them, you lose yourself in the process? Even becoming them to compensate for them?”
“Yeah,” I reply softly. I know exactly what she’s talking about.
Mommy calls it a transference of spirit. I become the better version of someone to bridge the gap to their success. Filling in the holes they leave in their process of growth.