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Erin sighs. “It really was perfect.”
Pulling apart, we look out at the room. Beautiful floral bouquets are on each of the tables, lights twinkle from above, and people are dancing and laughing as little kids peek over the edge of the dessert table.
“So perfect,” I murmur, my eyes catching on Dante and Rex. They’re standing together near the bar, talking with JJ and some unfamiliar guy, and I can’t seem to look away.
“Excuse me a second,” Erin says, hiking up the skirt of her dress. I nod, and she steps away to wrap her arms around an older woman I’ve never met. My eyes wander back toward Rex and Dante.
Since receiving the letter, I’ve been excited and scared at the prospect of having a sibling, but now that I know who that sibling is, I’m not sure of the right thing to do.
Obviously, Dante deserves to know, but am I the one who should tell him? I want to. I want to march over there and spill my guts, but I’m not sure of the repercussions. The morning after I found out about Dante, I was excited. All the worry and shock from the night before sort of fell to the wayside in light of what I was gaining. It was easy to laugh and talk with Rex the next morning because I was genuinely happy. But every day since then has become more uncomfortable, because I feel like I’m lying to Rex.
I did lie to Rex.
He flat-out asked me what happened at his mother’s, and I lied to him, but what else was I supposed to do? No matter what solution I come up with, it seems wrong. I’m respecting Isa’s wishes, but why are her wishes more important than Rex?
You’re doing what you have to do to keep yourself safe—to keep Dante safe.
“Good evening, Shae. You look beautiful.”
My body stiffens at the sound of Isabella’s voice.
“Isabella. I was just thinking about you.”
She pastes on a sugary sweet smile as someone walks by us, but it quickly fades once we’re alone. “Please tell me you haven’t said anything.”
“Seriously? You really think if I’d told Rex or Dante that we’d be standing here right now? That they’d be standing there right now?” I nod toward the two men.
“No. I suppose you’re right.”
“You have to tell them. I don’t know how much longer I can keep quiet.”
Her jaw clenches tight. “I know I do. And I will. I’m sure it’s hard for you to keep this from Rex—”
“It’s not just Rex,” I admonish. “It’s Dante. He’s my brother, and I want to get to know him as such. I don’t like hiding this from either one of them.”
“I just need a little more time.”
I’m not sure now much more time I can give her. “You have one week, and then I’m sitting them both down and telling them everything.”
Her eyes grow as big as saucers. “One week?” she whispers, glancing around to make sure no one is watching us. “This is a delicate situation. I’m going to need longer than a week.”
“Then you should’ve thought about that when you sent me the letter. That was months ago. I’m sorry, but I refuse to keep lying to them. They deserve better than that from me, and from you.”
“But what about you?”
“What about me?”
“If you tell them, you’ll have to explain who you are, and once my husband finds out you’re not Shae Black, you’re actually Bianca DiMarco, rest assured that all of the other families will find out as well. What happens then?”
Damn it. She’s right. Dread and fear wash over me. I’ll have no choice but to run or fight for my life.
“I guess we both have a few things to work out, but I’m not kidding, Isabella. One week.”
“Hello, Mother.” Dante walks up, kissing her on the cheek. “What are you two over here chatting about?”
She pats his cheek, smiling sweetly. “I was just telling Shae how beautiful she looks. Erin did a fabulous job picking out such flattering dresses.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, my eyes lingering on Dante, as they have been all day—searching for my father and simultaneously wondering if he’s ever noticed that he has zero resemblance to the man he believes to be his biological father.
