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“You said your name was Leoni?” her father asked.
“Yes.”
“Dad’s name is James. James Johnson.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” He held his hand out, very much aware that he wasn’t much younger than the man in front of him. There were probably a couple of years that separated them, but that was about it. “I’ll go and order that pizza,” Diego said, making sure to kiss her temple before handing her back to her capable father, who was shooting daggers at him.
He grabbed his cell phone and moved to the kitchen, keeping them in his sights. James helped Belle sit down on the sofa, and he saw the other man wasn’t happy with her at all, or with this current situation. When he finished ordering food, he moved toward them, taking a seat behind Belle as he did so. He wasn’t going to create distance here, or give James any ammunition if he thought for even a second he could get rid of him. That shit wasn’t happening. Not on his watch.
“So, how did you two meet?” James asked.
“I’ll let Belle tell you.”
He took her hand, locking their fingers together, and James stared down at their hands, again, not looking any the happier about it.
“So I’ve got Melanie to thank for a lot of things.”
“Don’t be angry with her, Dad. I’m really happy. Honestly. Diego is a good guy.”
If looks could kill, Diego would be dead, so dead.
Another knock on the door, and Diego left to answer. Pulling out some money, he shoved it into the kid’s hand, bringing in the pizza. He was getting hungry, and sensed a confrontation coming from her father.
James wouldn’t do it in front of his daughter, but it was there, lingering around him like a fucking aura waiting to explode.
He ate his pizza, and Diego listened to them catch up. Belle didn’t have a spare bedroom for her father, so he had to book a hotel room.
“I’m going to call a cab,” James said, as it was getting late.
For a family visit, no one had died, and Diego considered that a plus.
“Nonsense. Diego, you’ll drive my dad to his hotel, right?”
“Yes. I’ve got no problem with that.” It would give them a chance to talk without her worrying, and if Diego had to shoot him and get rid of the body, he could also do that without getting caught as well.
“I wouldn’t want to be a burden,” James said.
“No burden,” Diego said. “You’re going to be okay until I get back?”
“More than okay. This is my apartment. I know it by heart.”
He took possession of her mouth before turning his attention to her father. Again, if looks had anything to do with his living, he’d be dead. He’d died a lot in this apartment just from James.
Taking the man’s bags, they left her apartment, and he locked it from the outside so he would be sure she was safe.
He sent off a quick text to Richard to keep an extra eye on her. He didn’t like leaving her, not even to help her father.
Richard responded with a thumbs up, and it was all he was going to get, so he took it.
Riding the elevator down to the ground floor, he left the apartment block, keeping an eye out for anyone nearby who might be acting suspicious. When he saw no one, he nodded for James to follow him. The older man did, and Diego shoved his suitcase into the back of the car. He spotted two of his men, waiting close by. To anyone looking, they were just two men reading a paper, but he knew who they were.
Climbing behind the wheel, he started the car as James got in. Neither of them had spoken to each other, and he ignored the tension brewing in the car.
He pulled out of the parking lot, which was behind the building. There was some parking at the front, but it was always full.
The moment they cleared the parking lot and joined traffic, James started talking.
“You need to stop seeing my daughter.”
“Not happening.”
“You think I don’t know who you are, what it is you do?”
Diego smiled. “And what is it exactly you think I do?”
“Your family has been linked to the mafia. You’ve also been described as the capo of this city. You lost your first wife many years ago, and now you’re getting married to your second. The one that’s not my daughter. There was an announcement in the paper yesterday. My daughter doesn’t like to read the news. She never did, but I fucking know who you are. You think you can take advantage of my girl?”
“I’m not taking advantage of Belle. I care about her.”
“You’re still getting married to another woman. You think Belle will like that? Being the mistress? The other woman?”
“She’s not the other woman.”
