That made me smile. “Okay, JJ.” I leaned in to kiss him on the lips, and then spun around to leave. “Won’t be long. Eat more pierogis.”
* * *
As I headed toward the lounge, where there was a landline with a direct button to my father’s cell, I wondered what Jack had been about to say in the kitchen before we were interrupted. Wondered if it was anything like what had been onmymind these past few days.
What was happening between us was quick, sure. We hadn’t had a long period getting to know each other. There were things I didn’t know about Jack at all, like his family in Vegas, or why he’d left there, or what the job offer in New York was, or anything like that.
But I was willing to take a chance. I was willing to jump off that cliff and just hope there was something worthwhile at the bottom—and if not, at least I could be kissing Jack on the way down.
With a full heart and firm will, I called my father’s cell. I could hear him talking as he answered the phone, his voice getting closer and closer until it was right in my ear and he had turned his attention to me.
“Miller,” he said, “I’m busy.”
“So am I,” I said with a laugh. “But don’t worry, Dad, you won’t be hearing from me for a while after this. I’m moving out. And I’m leaving town.”
There was a long silence. “Hold,” he said coldly, and then everything went silent. I pictured him ordering everyone out of his office. A moment later, he was back. “I don’t have time to waste on your foolishness today, Miller. What’s this about?”
“It’s about nothing, Dad. I told you. I’m leaving. I’ll be gone by the time you get back here—just need to tie up a few loose ends, and then I’m going on a road trip with a buddy. Actually,” I went on quickly, warming to my theme, “I’m going away with my boyfriend. He’s asked me to take off with him. So I won’t see you for—”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he snapped.
I almost fell for it.Almoststarted arguing. Then I reminded myself: I didn’t have to argue anymore. Not now, not ever. I could just…leave.
“I’m going, Dad,” I said. “You can’t stop me.”
My calmness seemed to get through to him, because there was a long pause. “Who is this…personwho’s convinced you to give up your privileges in life, Miller?”
“Well, that’s the funny thing,” I chuckled. “It’s the same guy your Castellani friend sent to look into Annie’s disappearance. But since she’sdead—”
“What did you say?”
I paused. I’d never heard my father sound like he had just then—a low, hissing fear in his voice. “I said, since Annie’s dead, the guy you hired has finished his job, so—”
“What are youtalkingabout?” my father demanded. “WhatguyI hired? And why the hell, Miller, do you think I’m involved with the Castellanis?”
I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn’t see. “Iknowyou’re friends with Ciro Castellani. I’m talking about Johnny Jacopo. Jack. I call him JJ. He’s the guy Castellani sent when you asked him for help finding Annie.”
There was an even longer pause this time, and when my father spoke again, it was with real fear. “Miller,” he said, sounding almost gentle, “I amnotfriends with Ciro Castellani. In fact, it was the Castellanis who went after Annie. Whoever this man is—whatever he’s said to seduce you—you can’t trust him.”
CHAPTER47
JACK
I waitedaround a while in the kitchen, making small talk with Mrs. Kaczmarek, who reminded me of my late Nonna, until I couldn’t stand it any longer.
“I’m gonna go check…” I said, tipping my head toward the door.
She gave me a warm nod. “I think that’s a good idea. Miller’s father can sometimes…” She sighed. “Well, Miller may need a little comfort.”
I found him in the lounge room, where he’d said he’d be, sitting still on a sofa, his back to the doorway.
“Hey, Trouble,” I said, seeing that the phone was on the hook. “You doing okay?”
He moved his head to the side, just a little, and I saw again the cut that his father had put there.
“That asshole better not have said anything to upset you,” I said, coming into the room and around the sofa to look at him. “Sweetheart, are you…” I trailed off as I saw what he was holding there in his hand, balanced on his knee.
“Take a step back, please.” His voice was distant, and he barely looked at me.
