After he left, Dad said,We need to be careful not to get carried away. All of us.
I don’t know what came over me in that moment except that when Rafe looks at me in that way – like no other woman exists, like the idea of him being attracted to anybody else is a joke – I just lose it.
“I am,” I go on. “I need to know more, Theo. That’s all this is… for now.”
After dropping Theo off, I drive to work, thinking about how Rafe was basically interrogating me about Adrian last night. He was firing questions at me like he was going to go full psycho if I even hinted at a romantic connection. But Adrian has never been like that, never even hinted at it.
When I arrive, Adrian calls me into his office. He seems more distant than usual, pacing behind his desk, unwilling to meet my eye. We discuss a few pieces for an upcoming show, placement, and the flow of the exhibit.
Then, trying to be casual, he adds, “Has Rafeal Bellini contacted you?”
My stomach tightens at Adrian’s tone. “Uh…”
Adrian glances at me, then looks out the window and runs a hand over his head. “I know I shouldn’t be asking you about your personal life. But he’s the father, isn’t he? He’s Theo’s father?”
I’ve never heard Adrian’s tone like this before, snappy, almost like he’s interrogating me.
Adrian drops into his seat and leans forward. “You know I’ve got your best interests at heart, Ava. Youmustknow that, right?”
“Yeah,” I murmur. “Of course.”
“I wouldn’t be asking you about this if I didn’t think it was important. And I realize people might see this as crossing a line. ”
I feel like I’m suddenly walking on a tightrope, as if a wrong answer could send my career toppling.
“Would it be a problem if he were his father?” I ask.
“What?” Adrian snaps, his emotionless eyes suddenly flaring. It’s the first time I can remember him looking unequivocally angry with me. “Do you think I’m going tofireyou for seeing your son’s father, Ava?”
“No, I?—”
“Is that what he’s been saying about me?” he goes on in disgust. “Is that the poison he’s been filling your head with? Oh, he’s been painting me as a monster, has he?”
“Adrian, no,” I say, shifting in my chair to catch his gaze, looking into his eyes. “No. He hasn’t said anything about you at all.”
Adrian leans back, breathing slowly. “Jesus, Ava. I’m sorry. That was inappropriate.”
“Well… yeah.”
He drums his fingers on his desk. “I want the best for you and your son, that’s all.”
“Are you saying that seeing Rafe wouldn’t be in our best interests?”
“Rafe,” Adrian repeats. He looks at me for a few long beats, then waves his hand. “I think it might be for the best if you just get on with your work. This is really none of my business.”
Then why did you bring it up?
“Okay, sure.”
I leave his office, feeling his eyes on me the entire time. If it’s common knowledge that Rafe is in the mob – orrunsthe mob – then it makes sense for Adrian to be protective. But my instincts tell me there is more to that. It was like Adrian was personallyinvested, as if he were afraid Rafe might tell me something that would force me to see my boss in a new light.
As I drive home, I notice the same black car taking the same turns as me. Just to be sure, I zigzag a few times, and sure enough, there it is. I stop outside my apartment building, breathing hard, remembering what Rafe said about my apartment being on mob turf.
I pull out my cellphone and call him.
“Hey, angel. I’m just making myself handsome for our date.”
A smile touches my lips, but it doesn’t last long. “Someone’s following me. Black car. It’s parked down the street. Is this some mob thing?”
