“It’s long over. I haven’t seen her in years,” Anthony answers, a muscle in his temple working.
“Doesn’t mean there isn’t a history and one that could place you at risk,” Lucien says. “Would she likely try and reach out, do you think?”
“Unlikely.” Anthony shifts in his chair, clearly uncomfortable with the questioning. “It didn’t end well.”
Nothing ever does with that family. You don’t walk away clean. You leave pieces behind. I frown but decide not to push the matter further. Our cousin doesn’t want to discuss the Romero chick, and I’ll drop the subject—for now.
“How’s it going with Dallen? We’ve not seen you much lately, so I’m assuming everything is going well?” Lucien asks.
I can’t stop the smirk that twists my lips. “I’m in love with her. I think she’s the one, guys.”
Lucien’s eyes go wide. Anthony gapes. “Shit, really?” Anthony states, shock resonating in his voice.
“Yeah.” I run a hand over my jaw, unable to process the feelings that rise in me whenever I think of Dallen, whenever I’m around her. “She’s an amazing woman. So goddamn smart and independent, and she doesn’t take any shit—not from me or anyone. While I know she’s struggling with her family and their dislike of me, we’re having dinner tonight, and I’m hoping to clear the air a bit.”
Hoping her father sees the man I’m trying to be, not the one I was or hid when necessary. Hoping she doesn’t wake up one morning and decide loving me costs too much.
“Does she know of us?” Lucien asks. “Did you have that talk we discussed?”
I nod. “Yeah, I told her, and she’s torn. Clearly, she’s a lawyer—how could she not be? But she hasn’t run from me yet, so I’m hoping she’s working through her fears.”
The thought of losing her, of her not being in my life, isn’t something I can stomach. I’ve buried men. I’ve buried enemies. I don’t know how I’d bury what she makes me feel. I don’t know how it is that I’ve fallen so fucking hard, but I have. I won’t lose her to anyone. Not her family. Not because of those who hold grudges.
“Where are you going for dinner?”
“Delizioso.” Thinking that my restaurant and one Dallen enjoyed dining at might smooth out her parents’ nerves. If they knew that I owned the restaurant and if I mentioned my real estate portfolio at some point throughout the meal, they may see that I’m trying to move out of my father’s shadow.
If I show them stability. Legitimacy. Growth. Maybe they see I’m not the ghost of Leo Moretti. If only the Romeros allowed us to.
They are always there, lurking, poking, and trying to start shit that none of us wants. “I’m closing the restaurant, so it’s just us. My security card, in case my charm of Dallen’s parents doesn’t go well, and we’ll not have any Romeros popping in, making their presence known.” Because if one of them so much as looks at her the wrong way in front of her father, I won’t be able to contain myself. And I can’t afford that—not when I need the dinner to go well. Everything is riding on the fact that it does.
“Good idea.” Lucien narrows his eyes. “So if she’s the one, do we need permanent security around her? Anyone connected to us needs it when they’re going to be part of this family. An unfortunate perk, but one that’s necessary when father’s enemies refuse to leave us be.”
The word permanent does something to my chest. “I’d appreciate it if you implemented that, yes, and I’ll speak to Dallen. Let her know what the deal is. She won’t like it, but…” She’ll think I’m controlling her again. And maybe I am. But I’d rather have her angry with me than unprotected.
Dead...
“Briar didn’t like it either at first. Now Greg, her bodyguard, is her shopping buddy. She has him eating out of her hand, so much so, I sometimes wonder who’s looking after who.”
I chuckle, knowing that Briar has turned Lucien’s world upside down, but in a good way. I want the same with Dallen. I want a future with her, a home, one day a family. A house that doesn’t have reinforced glass. A life that doesn’t require contingency plans. I don’t know if that’s possible for me, but I want it with her.
Damn, I have it bad.
“I know we have our issues. Each of us has a history that, at times, is shady and not for public consumption, but I’m going to try to be a better man for her. I know we all need to rectify issues the legal way, and I said I’d try that before anything else, but when it comes to our enemies, the Romeros, it’s fucking hard not just to be rid of them without fuss. A challenging habit to break.”
“It’s not easy.” Anthony sighs. “With Matteo’s death, they’re just waiting to strike at us. They know we did it. Even if they can’t prove it, they will strike at us, so be on your guard. The women we love are a sure way for payback. Just remember that.”
The women we love.
That sentence settles like a weight on my shoulders. Dallen isn’t just a girlfriend. She’s leverage. She’s vulnerable. And I hand that card to our enemies the moment I let myself fall. The moment they know she’s everything to me.
“I will,” I say.
“Yeah,” Lucien agrees.
My phone buzzes, and I pick it up, warmth flowing through my veins like a balm at the name that pops up.
I’m going to be held up at work. I’ve texted my parents to tell them to meet us at the restaurant at eight instead of seven. I’m sorry, but I’ll meet you there. X
