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“What?”
“Good morning to you too, boss. Guess what?” I ask.
“What?”
“Man of many words, I see. I’m sitting here about to have pancakes with your favorite niece.” I turn and wink at Izzy and she giggles.
“And you thought you’d call to inform me of that?”
“Nope, I thought you’d be interested to know who’s missing out on these ice cream pancakes.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, Neo?” he grunts.
“Well, think, boss. Who else should be here with me and Izzy eating breakfast? Someone I just watched leave the property. On her own.”
“Angelica. You let her fucking leave unattended? What the fuck, Neo?” he yells.
“Okay, first of all, nobodyletsthat woman do anything. Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking otherwise. Second, what do you want me to do? Pack up my daughter and go chase her mother down?”
“No, don’t take Izzy anywhere off that property. I’ll find her.”
“Thanks, and when you do, tell her I’d like a word.” I hang up. After piling up two plates with pancakes and ice cream, I place one in front of Izzy and pull up a seat next to her.
“You know, my mom will come back. She always does. Sometimes she just has to work.”
“I know. But until she does, she’s not here to tell us we can’t have extra sprinkles on our pancakes,” I say, pushing to my feet and heading to the pantry.
“Sprinkles on pancakes is the best idea you’ve ever had.” Izzy smiles.
“Really? So I guess you don’t want to see the newest addition to the pool later.” I had a huge-ass water slide put in. I have a feeling Izzy can’t swim. Whenever I’ve asked her about going in the pool, she makes up some excuse. I’ve let it be, but I can’t have her afraid of anything. If it’s swimming, I can fucking teach her how.
“Mmm, what did you do to the pool?”
“Eat up and I’ll show you later. Right about the time I start teaching you how to swim.”
“How do you know I can’t swim? Did Mama tell you?”
“Nope. It’s my job to know these things, Bel. I told you: I’m going to protect you, always. So it’s about time I teach you how to swim.”
“I can’t swim though, Neo.”
“That’s why I’m going to teach you.” I can see the thought of going in the water scares her. She starts playing around with the food on her plate. “Izzy, I promise I won’t let anything hurt you, ever. Especially not a swimming pool.”
She nods her head but doesn’t say much else throughout breakfast. My mind is split between wondering what the fuck Angelica is out there doing and how I can reassure Izzy that she will be safe in the pool with me.
Chapter Eighteen
Iknow it’s crazy for me to trust my daughter’s safety in the hands of a man I barely know. That’s not true, though. I may not have known Neo long, but I doknowhim. I feel like I’ve known him my whole life, instead of just the few weeks we’ve shared together.
I contemplated calling my father, having him go and stay with Izzy while I do what I have to do. I know, despite everything he’s asked of me for the family, my father would never let anything happen to my daughter. However, I don’t call him. I’m putting more trust in Neo right now than I’ve put in any other man. Ever.
I have to do this. I know if I’d discussed my plan with him, he would have stopped me. Kept me from leaving his house. Or worse, he would have come with me. I know he’s aware of my skill set. The kinds of jobs I’ve done for the family. But knowing and seeing are two different things. He saw me in that warehouse. He witnessed how quickly I had those three Irish thugs on the ground. But he doesn’t know the extent I’m prepared to go to in order to protect my own.
I want out of this lifestyle, yes. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love my family. Despite what or who we might be. It’s a contradiction I’ve been living with for as long as I can remember. I hate the family business, but I lovethem.
My father. Now my brother. And his wife. And of course, my daughter.
I can’t stand by, knowing there’s a threat out there. Sitting and waiting. Especially not when I know I have the skills to get the job done. My plan right now is to find the two foot soldiers, Renzo and Benny. I had files on them at the hotel. Hidden. I could risk going back there and grabbing the documents, or I could hit the streets until someone talks. Until I locate the men I’m looking for.
