“Would you do that for me?” he begged.
“Do what, Leo? What the fuck do you want me to do?”
His eyes shone with a glint of hope. “Ask her to move in with you, at the mansion. It’s the only place she’ll be safe. Nobody would dare attack her there. And take her sister, too, so Lina can’t say no.”
“You’re out of your mind. I can’t just let strangers into my house.”
“Per favore, Papà. I’m begging you. I can’t leave her in danger. I have to protect her.”
“Let’s say I’d agree to this madness. What makes you think she would? To her, I’m not the father of her…whatever you think you are to her. I’m her school owner, and herstalker’sdad. Do you see the picture? She’d never agree to this, and I can’t force her to live at my house.” I could. I could do a lot of things. I should’ve done that a while ago. I should have never waited. I did one fucking good thing, and now I was paying the price.
“Can you, at least, try? She obviously respects you and believes she owes you. She’d listen to you.”
“And what should I tell her the reason for your request? I can’t tell her the truth.”
“Yes, you can.” His eyes darted around, and then he stood so he could whisper in my ear. “I think she knows what we do.”
“You told her?” I fumed.
“No, of course not, but, like most people, she figured it out on her own. It’s not exactly a secret.”
I ran out of excuses. If I pushed this further, if I refused without convincing him, he’d never give up, and worse, he could get suspicious. I couldn’t let that happen. My son was stubborn as fuck. If I had any chance left to win, I had no choice but to play his game the way he wanted.
“Va bene. I can’t promise you anything, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you.” He threw his arms around me in a tight embrace. “Thank you so much.”
I patted his back, flames searing my chest and what was left of my soul. “You really love her?”
“More than you think.”
Leo stabbed my heart and twisted, his words a serrated blade. He was in love with the one girl I’d been waiting years to have.
My son was in love with my sweet Angel.
Chapter17
Tino
I rang the bell.
Who would have thought I’d have to ring the bell and wait to enter Angel’s apartment? And the reason behind this charade? To convince her to move in with me for my boy’s sake so that he couldprotecther, so that he could get closer to her, pull her into his trap and make her fall in love with him.
I shook my head violently. This couldn’t happen. Not on my watch. Never.
If he ever touched her again, intentionally or by accident, I’d cut his hand off. He could do with one hand.See what you’re doing to me, Angel? You’re driving me crazy. I’m thinking about chopping my own son’s hand for you. Because of you.
The door opened, blond hair popping out followed by a yawn. Nicole appeared in pink shorts and patterned, blue shirt, her eyes wide at me and the two bodyguards behind me. “Mr. Bellomo?”
I forced a small smile. “You must be Nicole.”
She blinked hard. “Yes, sir.”
Waiting for her to let me in was taking forever. She was too stunned to speak or move or do anything except blinking. “May I come in?” I asked.
“Yes! Of course.” She jumped out of the way, waving me in with her whole arm. “I’m sorry. It’s a little messy.” She ran a hand through her hair, picking up scattered clothes and takeout plates with the other. “We weren’t expecting visitors.”
I left my bodyguards outside and took a seat on the couch. “Don’t worry about it.” I’d been here so many times before. I’d seen the place in worse conditions. The Baldi sisters weren’t the best cleaners. “Is your sister home?”
