I’ve since spent my time in my office, catching up on paperwork. Everything is fine. The business practically runs itself under my rule. I’ll still be glad to leave this awful place, though. English Heritage décor is not my thing at all. It’s dark and oppressive.
Lorenzo hasn’t left his office yet, which would usually cause concern, but I suppose he needs time to adjust to Bonnie being in his life. My guess is he has a lot of old issues resurfacing and needs to be alone.
The radio crackles to life, signalling Bonnie’s parents’ arrival. I wonder if they’re going to be as troublesome as their daughter. God, I hope not. Packing away the paperwork in my satchel, I call for Mia to box up the office. I want to leave as soon as humanly possible once Bonnie’s dads are onboard.
I’m just about to make my way to the main hall when Lorenzo steps out and waves me over. “Will you ask Mark and Phillip to come here first? I know they’ll be eager to see Bonnie, but I think we need to have a frank discussion before emotions cloud their judgement.”
“I’ll fetch them now.”
Mark and Phillip stand, hand-in-hand, in the main hall. They look nervous but meet my eyes with a determination I’ve seen in Bonnie.
“Where is our daughter?”
I’ve studied Bonnie’s life, so I know Phillip is the one addressing me. After my talk with Lorenzo, I did my own research. That’s why I left my chat with Kelley and Bonnie until this morning. I wanted to have all the pertinent information before this shitshow went any further.
Phillip and Mark Moorside are both psychologists working at a prestigious university. Phillip is fifty-two with short dark hair, a titanium knee, and a penchant for cigars, which Mark dislikes.
Mark is fifty-four with black hair that’s closely cropped because he is starting to go bald. He likes baking and wool cardigans. No surprise Bonnie has such awful taste in clothes. Together, they have a nice four-bed house close to Bonnie’s apartment. They talk daily with their daughter and enjoy garden parties.
For all intents and purposes, they have a very vanilla life and are happy. I try to ignore the pang of jealousy, but it’s hard. As much as this family is all I’ve ever known, as is the lifestyle, I admit I’ve wondered what it would be like to live a boring suburban life.
“Bonnie is with her friend. She’ll be brought to you shortly. First, Don Ferrante would like to talk. Please follow me.”
The mention of Lorenzo’s formal title doesn’t even elicit the smallest of reactions, so I know they are aware of him. The fact I’m still in the dark pisses me off. Considering Bonnie’s adoption was closed, I’d like to know how Mark and Phillip are acquainted with Lorenzo. And why he’s never told me? I know I’ve never met Bonnie’s parents, so if they have had cause to interact, Lorenzo has kept it a secret from me.
They follow me down the hall and to the office. Lorenzo is pouring three drinks. I gesture for Mark and Phillip to sit on the couch before moving to the drinks table and pouring a fourth tumbler of brandy.
“I’m staying,” I say quietly. Lorenzo gives a small nod.
“I’m sorry we’re meeting like this,” Lorenzo says, his back still turned away from the two men. I slink over to the other side of the room and lean against the wall. “You know I never meant for this to happen.”
Well, that answers my question then. They know each other.
“You promised we’d never have to meet, Lorenzo. You swore Bonnie would be safe.”
Well, isn’t that interesting? Not only do they know Lorenzo by name, but they seem to have an understanding of what this is, or should I say,whothe Don is.
Taking a second to steel himself, Lorenzo shoots a quick look my way before turning around. “You’re right. I’ve not kept my word, and you’ll never know how sorry I am for that. But we have to look past my failure and protect Bonnie.”
Phillip stands and begins pacing. “Who is threatening her?”
“Giani Arello,” Lorenzo replies. I’m surprised he’s being so open, to be honest. “He…” Another side eye at me. I’m not going to like what I hear. “He was Maria’s fiancé.”
I sling back the brandy in one gulp before heading back to grab the bottle. After everything I said yesterday, Lorenzo is still keeping important information from me. My blood is boiling, but I have to keep it under wraps for now. I’ll beat the living shit out of something later.
Mark gently guides his husband back to the couch. “How do you plan on dealing with this, Lorenzo?”
“I will deal with it,” I interject. “No harm will come to your daughter, I swear it. But we need your help. Bonnie is less than happy to be here. A fact I take responsibility for. The way we met was less than ideal, but I didn’t have all the facts,” I say, scowling at Lorenzo, who at least has the decency to look ashamed. “The truth is, to keep you safe, we need to take you to Italy. Bonnie is understandably quite angry and is fighting me all the way.”
I see a smirk take over Phillip’s face. “That’s our Bonnie. She’s never liked being told what to do.”
“That may be so, but this time, I need her to fall in line. She’s agreed to come to Sicily if you are on board.”
Mark takes Phillip’s hand. “And this is the only way?”
“It is,” Lorenzo chokes. “I’m so sorry.”
I’ve never seen Lorenzo cry, and the fact he has tears streaming down his face makes me want to scream with discomfort. As much as Lorenzo showed me love growing up, we were never very demonstrative.
