Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“That fucking Gio,” I snarl. “How long has he known Ny? You never planned to assign Nyla to Dante. You’re in on this.”
“No, I didn’t assign her, I told your father what Gio told me to say, but he came to me for you. Ny didn’t know until after. She was so angry with me. Listen, Lizzy. Gio is so close to getting everyone what they want. I need him to finish this,” she says with her voice filled with emotion.
“But this means—”
“Mommy, Daddy said it’s time to eat,” Bella says as she peeks out of the front door.
“Okay, baby. Tell him I’m coming.”
“Liz, please. The twins and Carleen haven’t recognized me yet. Everyone was too frantic to find Bella that day at the office. I was so worried they’d remember me then.
“Dario looked at me for a minute as if he made the connection. I was sick to my stomach. I probably shouldn’t be here. It’s too risky.”
“Then why are you here? Why are you about to hurt the man I love?”
“Elijah, he wanted me to come. We have something we want to talk to you girls about.”
“Wait, hold on. The twins and Carleen? What aren’t you telling me? You knew their mom, that much I get.” I pause to think.
“Gio will explain it all. Just be patient a little longer.”
“I love you like my own mom, but I know how Gio can manipulate something to bend to his will. If your presence will hurt Dante, whatever you and Dad have to talk to us about can wait. Don’t enter this house.”
“Ny’s talking about leaving again. We wanted to get this out of the way before she’s gone.”
I narrow my eyes. I’m a bit hurt. Not for me, but for Dante. I haven’t wrapped my head around what this all means to me. Deep down, I know Nyla isn’t innocent in all this.
“I promised Beth I’d always protect you and your sister. That’s what I’m doing, Liz. I promise I am,” she sobs when I stay silent a beat too long.
“Not at the cost of my family. Dante has been hurt enough. Don’t you think the situation with his father was enough? I cried to you about it. You held me and promised things would work out.”
“And they will.”
“Well, today won’t be the day he’s hurt again.”
She nods and turns to leave. I close my eyes and pray this all doesn’t come down on our heads, whatever it is. My head starts to hurt.
“What’s going on? What are you up to this time, Gio?” I whisper.
Chapter 51
Princess in Skates
Carleen
This birthday party is adorable. Lizzy outdid herself. You can see the love that was put into this party.
“I’ll take him off your hands for a bit,” Lucas says as he takes Matteo from my arms.
“Thanks. I need to head to the restroom,” I say to Denise and Elijah.
I still can’t place where I know this woman from. She seems so cautious around me. Almost nervous. I brush the thought off and stand to head to the bathroom.
I look around for Dario. He was on his way to get us both skates the last time I saw him. Elijah offered to sit with the baby while we take a couple of turns around the rink. At eight months old, Matteo is a great baby. He takes to most people with little fuss.
Not seeing Dario, I shrug and head to the bathroom. I take my time doing my business before I wash my hands and fix my hair in the mirror. As I go to walk out of the bathroom, my phone buzzes. I pull it from my pocket and look down to see a text from none other than Lou. I suck my teeth. He’s been texting a lot lately.
Talk about not letting go.
Lou: We need to talk.
Me: No, we don’t.
Lou: It’s about your husband and his brothers. You want to hear me out.
I freeze with my hand on the door. I haven’t spoken to Lou since before my trip to Italy. How does he know I’m married? I narrow my eyes at the text.
Me: What do you know about my husband?
Lou: A lot. Trust me, we should talk. I’ll be out back in ten. Come and chat with me.
I step out of the bathroom and peek in the direction of the rink where everyone is. I can see Matteo safe in Lucas’s arms. Dario is headed for where I had been sitting.
Thinking quickly, I don’t grab his attention. My husband will take Lou’s head off first and ask questions later. Lou is well beyond receiving a pass.
Against my better judgment, I rush for the back door before I’m seen. I stand in the shadows and wait the ten minutes out as I watch Dario rush around looking for me. My heart pangs, I should say something, but he has enough on his plate. I only want to know what Lou has to say.