Rafe swallows, then puts his hands behind his back like he doesn’t know what else to do with them. My hand twitches as Ithink about going to him, touching him as gently as he touches our child.
Dad is watching me closely, that same look on his face that he had before, when he pointed out that I like Rafe… like we’re gossiping teenagers having a sleepover. I give him a glare, then Mom catches it and throws her hands up.
“What’s this?” She points at Dad and then me. “What’s this little game here?”
Dad shifts awkwardly. “I think we should just cut him some slack. A little. A tiny bit, my love.” Dad touches her arm.
“He’s a…” Mom whispers, then glances at him. “You know what he is.”
“Maybe it’s complicated.”
“It won’t be complicated forever,” Rafe says, and a warm tingle dances over my skin.
Dad stands, adjusting his shirt. He’s shorter than Rafe, but he doesn’t flinch away. He approaches and stands to his full height. “Then let me ask you this, Rafael Bellini. If I were to ask you to turn your businesses, all of them, into legal enterprises… and always be loyal to my daughter, faithful to her, treat her with respect, change your whole life for Ava, would you do it?”
“Dad,” I hiss. “You’re gettingwayahead of yourself?—”
“Yes,” Rafe says, no hesitation in his voice, meeting my dad’s eyes. “Yes, sir, I would.”
“Bothof you need to stop,” I cut in.
“Yeah, relax, please,” Mom says, laughing awkwardly. “You’re going to marry her off, are you, Tom?”
“A father needs to know,” Dad grunts, taking his seat again.
My whole world feels like it's about to change, like I should start making plans with this man. And sure, maybe a part of mewantsthat. But I’m not some weak-spined thing. I’ve got a plan: a way to make sure Theo and I don’t have to rely on anyone.
Rafe clears his throat. “I should go. I’ll return if I have news.”
He walks toward the hallway, and I watch him go. Should I go after him? There’s something I need to say. But I’m not sure.
Dad sighs, burying his face in his hands. Mom picks Theo up and rocks him softly.
CHAPTER 22
RAFAEL
In the hallway, my cellphone rings. It’s Adrian Kovacs. That’s not normal. I only have his number because of an art deal five years ago, and he’s never called since.
“Hello?” I say, answering.
“I’ve got friends, Bellini,” he grunts.
I swallow, leaning against the wall, tension throbbing in my head. So he wants a fight. “I know that.” So, he wants war. “You’re not the only one.”
“Relax,” he says quietly. “I don’t want this shit in my town, okay? I’ve got my family to think about. So, I asked around, told people to keep a lookout for your man.”
I tighten my grip on the phone. “You’ve got eyes on Tony?”
“One of my friends is tailing him. They’re not sure where he’s going yet.”
“Can you text me when you know?” I ask.
Adrian pauses, then says, “She’s a good person, Bellini. She’s got a good heart. And a real talent for her job. I’ll help you with this, but I need to know you won’t derail her. Let her live.”
“What the fuck do you think I am?” I growl.
“I know men of your profession, remember. I know a lot of them. And I had a chance to be in that life. But I saw what it makes them. I saw how it twists them into wanting to possess everything. Into thinking they deserve it.”
