His brow is wrinkled with worry, but he agrees, giving me a gentle kiss before allowing me to leave. I wander up the stairs in search of a bedroom where I can wallow in my thoughts for a while, finding the master suite. It’s a complete opposite of the one at the castle. This one is all airy and light and beachy, with gauzy curtains surrounding the orgy-sized bed, which makes me crinkle my nose. Hopefully, it’s been replaced since the last time anyone came here.
I throw myself on it, careful not to hurt Dolce, and she curls up for a little nap, exhausted by everything that’s been going on. I run my hand through her soft white fur and gaze out the window at the tranquil view, so different from the one in Romania. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to form any coherent thoughts about how I feel. Grabbing my phone, I settle back on one of the pillows and call my therapist. I still have her on a twenty-four-hour retainer, so she gets paid very well to answer my calls whenever and wherever.
* * *
My therapist is able to help me get my thoughts in order, and after lunch and reassuring my guys I’m okay, I head back to the guest house to talk to Diego a little more.
“We’re going to go into town to grab some supplies,” Alex says as I walk out the door.
“And do a little sightseeing?” Edie sounds hopeful, and Alex ruffles her hair.
“Of course.” She beams at him, and I smile. They seem to have formed quite a nice friendship, which is great. I want her to get along with all of my guys, but it’s especially important that she and Alex develop a relationship in case he and Ash ever reignite the romance between them.
Cole steps up next to me, tipping my chin up with a gentle touch. “I’m going to hang here and call Spencer. So if you need me, I’ll be around.”
“Thanks, I might need a hug when I come back.”
The air is hot, and I swat at a couple of bugs as I walk down the path once more. I might see if Edie wants to have a swim with me this afternoon. The infinity pool is on the side of the house with another superb view. I can see it now—Edie and I trying to work on our tans while Alex cannonballs into the water, with Riku smiling on the sidelines and Shane getting involved to keep the peace. Yes, I might be trying to distract myself from my impending conversation, but a little distraction is a much healthier “remedy for my anxiety than coke, so I’ll give myself a moment to daydream.
This time, my nerves are just as big as they were before, but I think it’s more due to excitement. Brad is my dad, and Diego or Dragos or whatever he wants to be called will never replace him, but I’m keen to get to know this man who’s biologically responsible for Jax and me. I should probably call Jax and tell him everything, but I know he’ll be on the next flight out the moment I do. I’ve already sent the plane back to the States just in case. Jilly and the guys will be on standby, ready to bring him down as soon as I tell him.
Diego isn’t on the front veranda this time, so I knock on the door and wait for him to answer. When he does, he’s no longer wearing his glasses. His hair is tied back, and I can’t believe I didn’t see the resemblance before. I guess I’m kind of staring because he chuckles and invites me in.
I follow the man into his little living area. “Can I get you a coffee or something cold?” he asks.
“Actually, coffee would be great.”
He goes behind the little counter that separates his kitchen from his living area. “How do you take it?”
“White and two sugars, please.”
Diego chuckles. “Does Brad still have it that way? I assume that’s why you do.”
“Yeah, he actually does. Listen, what do I call you? It’s all confusing in my head. Do you want to be Diego or Dragos? I’m not ready for the other D-word, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be. Brad is my dad, and right now, I just know I’m not comfortable with anyone else taking on that title.”
His smile drops, and he puts the coffee pot down as he looks at me. “Dragos is dead, and I’d like to keep it that way. Diego works, and I’m hoping one day you might do me the honor of calling me Dad too—if Brad doesn’t mind.”
“No, he probably wouldn’t. He’s just that good. Okay, Diego works for now.”
“So what can I do for you?” He finishes setting up the coffee machine and starts it up. It hisses and steams, and it’s not long before the coffee is dripping through, filling up the jug. He grabs two cups from a cupboard, putting two teaspoons of sugar in one and one in the other.
I wriggle in my chair a little before blurting out, “I guess I just wanted to get to know you.”
Those must be the right words because he beams at me. “That sounds wonderful. I feel the same way.” So, once the coffee is done, he pours me a cup, and we spend the next three hours just talking about our lives—the hard stuff and the good. We don’t hold back from one another. I think we realize that this has been a hard journey for both of us, and only complete transparency is going to cut it going forward. He was devastated to hear what a horrible person Mom turned out to be, though I assure him that Dad more than made up for it.
Finally, a knock at the door has us both jumping, having lost track of time. “That’s probably one of your guys coming to check that I haven’t buried you somewhere on the property. I’m actually surprised they lasted this long, especially Riku.”
I stand up, knowing he’s most likely right. “I’ve really enjoyed this. Maybe I could come back tomorrow?”
“I’d like that,” he tells me, and I give him a quick hug, which I think surprises him, but eventually, his arms come up, returning the gesture.
“Oh, I’m going to tell Jax tonight, so he’ll probably be here tomorrow too.”
“I look forward to meeting him.” Diego smiles and lets me out, waving at all six of my men who have made the journey down.
Alex has Dolce on a leash, and she’s having a great time sniffing everything. He hands the leash to Riku and steps up onto the porch. “I’ll catch up in a minute.” We leave him with Diego, the two having a quick and quiet conversation, and when he catches up, he’s wearing a smug, satisfied smile. When I look back, Diego appears slightly bewildered, but that’s to be expected. We’ve all felt like that after a conversation with Alex.
“Everything okay?” Shane asks as I join them, and we start our trek back up the hill.
