He places a hand on my shoulder and gives a gentle squeeze. His eyes soften for the briefest moment. “I know the feeling. Listen to me. Good things are coming your way, Dario, more than you know. In time it will all work out and make sense. Breathe. I promise, little brother. If it takes my last breath, this I promise you. You will have Carleen and the life you’ve always wanted.”
“How? It’s all so fucked up.”
“Trust me.”
I nod, feeling his words in my bones. I do trust Gio. I don’t know how he can fix this, but I trust him.
“Now, Nonno sent me looking for you. He wants to give you something.”
I nod and stand to follow him. When we get up to the first floor, I have to bite back a growl when I hear Papa Esposito’s voice. I knew there was a chance he’d be here today, but I was hoping his ass wouldn’t show his face.
“Dario, there you are,” he croons as I come into view.
“Grandfather.”
“What is this? First you ignore my calls, now you’re greeting me coldly. What have I done?”
“How about telling an eight-year-old girl she should stick to her own kind? Have you always been out of your fucking mind?” I growl and storm for him.
Gio and Jace jump between us, placing a hand on each of my shoulders. I go to shove by them both, but my phone goes off. I rush to pull it from my pocket and read the text from Carleen.
I sag in relief. I wasn’t leaving with this shit between us like this. One more hour and I was heading to her parents’ to work this out.
Car: I’m sorry. I trust you. Have a safe trip. Let me know when you get there safely. I’ll be waiting.
I point to my grandfather. “Keep your ass away from me.”
I turn and storm from the room while returning a quick reply to the text. When I lift my head, to my surprise, I find Nyla and Nonno huddled together in the hall. Nyla has her back to me. Her hair has been pinned up since earlier, now revealing the back of her neck and shoulders.
The tight sweater dress she has on is off the shoulder and reveals the figure my brother seems to be so drawn to. It’s nice, but nothing like Carleen’s. However, that’s not what has my attention.
She has a bold tattoo in the center of her shoulder blades. The dark letters read Doll Master. Jace comes out of the great room from the other entrance and places a hand over the tat, causing Nyla to look up at him.
He gives her a warm smile before leaning to whisper into her ear. Nyla laughs and places a hand on his chest. My curiosity goes through the roof.
“Ah, Dario,” Nonno croons. “Come, I have something for you.”
Nyla hands him a gift bag and Nonno turns and starts for Dante’s study. I follow, turning only once to find Jace and Nyla laughing as Jace pulls the stick from her hair, causing it to fall and cover the tat once again. His eyes lock on mine and he winks.
What the fuck?
I enter the study and close the door behind me. “You are still curious about so much. I can’t give you all the answers now, but I feel it only right to clear up these lies you’ve been told. You are still curious about Gio’s lifestyle, no?”
Hell yeah, especially after what I just saw. Nyla touched Jace in a familiar way. Jace hardly ever allows anyone to get close to him, nor does he get close to you if he doesn’t know you.
“Tell me, what is it you think you know that I don’t?” Nonno asks as I get lost in my musing.
“I was told Gio is bi, a finook. His dolls aren’t just for him, they’re for him and Jace and the two have been together for years.”
Nonno snorts in what seems to be disgust. “I should have him killed for the lies he has spread,” he says heatedly. “Stupido figlio di puttana. Riccardo was once a dear friend. Greed and disloyalty plague his heart. It has made him blind and stupid. You…do you believe this about my Michelangelo?”
“I don’t know what I believe. He’s my brother so I don’t care either way. If he’s happy, I’m happy. However, I’ve never seen Jace and Gio apart and I’ve never seen Jace in a relationship. I’ve only seen him with Gio and those dolls once or twice. To be honest, even then I couldn’t make any assumptions about them.” I stop and laugh.
“What? What do you find so funny?”
“Have you seen them? The dolls Gio has. I was too busy being in awe of my big brother to think of much else. They’re gorgeous women. I mean, the type of women you’d sell your balls for.”