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“Is this the same place you took me to before?”
“No. Don’t talk about that place. I don’t make a habit of sharing where all of my places are.” He continued to walk down a straight path.
“You can put me down. I’d like to walk.”
“I will. There’s too many rocks around. The garden has a lot of features. Once I pass the maze, I’ll put you down.”
“You have a maze?”
“Yes. It was a design feature my mom liked.”
“Oh. You live with your dad?”
“I don’t live with him. We share a place, that’s it.”
“So, he was capo before you?”
“Yes.”
“And you took over from him.”
“He handed it down to me. It’s my duty to keep this city belonging to The Boss, and as head capo, all decisions come to me.”
“So why do you need to get married?” she asked.
“I’m getting older. I have to have a male heir to take over from me.”
“What if you get a girl?”
“She will either marry who I decide or marry who she chooses.”
“She can’t take over from you?”
“No. Only men take over.”
“Sexist.”
He chuckled. “It is what it is.”
“And women are only good for marrying and baby making.”
“You have many additional qualities. In my world, they are just not as important as the men.”
“I don’t like your world,” she said.
“It’s one of the many reasons why I tried to keep it from you.”
“You didn’t succeed.”
“No, it would seem when it comes to you, I do nothing but fail.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. The time we’ve shared before you knew the truth was the best time of my life.”
Belle gripped him a little tighter. “It was?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t find it a joke?”
“Why would I find it a joke? I enjoyed being near you. I enjoyed doing the same things normal people do. It’s why I kept so much of who I am a secret from you. I didn’t want to spoil what we’d made with each other. I would have continued with it as well, if I could have.”
“Nothing ever lasts forever.”
“I like to believe everything lasts forever so long as you’re willing to give it a try.”
“You’re an optimist.”
He burst out laughing. “No, not even close. Before you, I didn’t believe in happy ever after or miracles. I believe in you and in what we have.”
He came to a stop and lowered her down until her feet hit the ground. He helped to steady her with his hands on hers.
“What we had was based on lies, Diego. How can we have … anything?”
She heard his heavy sigh, and it upset her to know she was the cause.
“I didn’t intentionally lie to you, Belle. I omitted the truth of who I was.”
“You’re going to try and defend your lies now?”
“No. I’m telling you that I didn’t want to lie to you.” He stroked her cheek. “I would never do anything to hurt you.”
“I don’t think I can talk about this right now.” Her thoughts and emotions were confused. He’d messed with her head. Their time together wasn’t just special to him, but meant a great deal to her. However, it was now tainted with the lies he spilled. She didn’t know what was truth and what wasn’t. How could she know? He’s completely abused that kind of trust.
“One day, I know you’re going to find it in your heart to forgive me.”
“And if I don’t?”
“You will, one day. I’m a patient guy.”
“You’re persistent.”
“That I am too. See, we’re on the same page.”
“I don’t think agreeing to patience and persistence is the same thing.”
“It’s close. Come on, let’s not argue for another moment. Can we just find some common ground? Some peace?” He kissed each of her inner wrists. The action was so sweet that it took her by surprise.
He had this way about him that was always taking her by surprise.
“I don’t want to argue anymore.”
“Good, neither do I.”
“I don’t want to be kept from my father, Diego.” She heard him sigh again. “I know you’re tired of me asking about this, but he is my father and I love him so much. If he’d not come to see me, he wouldn’t have gotten hurt.”
“It’s not your fault he’s hurt.”
“Yes, it is. If I’d stayed at home and just accepted I needed help, none of this would have happened.”
He let her go but only so he could hold her face. He was so close she felt his breath fan across her face.
“I’m not going to let you go. You should know that. Having you in my life, that is what I want.”
She was talking to a deaf man. Whatever she said to him, he wasn’t taking notice. There was no way they could be together, but he seemed determined to make it work. She chose not to argue with him.
Everything he spoke about, she wanted just as much, and it hurt her to know she would never have it. Another woman would be with him. Someone else would get to have his baby, wear his ring, and call herself Mrs. Leoni.
