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If you don’t, you’re not just a monster, but an idiot too.
“Did you enjoy living in New Bedford?” he asks, gauging my reaction.
But I didn’t live in New Bedford. It’s a city not too far from Fall River, where I did live. It also boasts a large Portuguese population.
“I understand New Bedford is a wonderful place,” I reply. “But I lived with my great-aunt in Canada.” I don’t say a word about Fall River—where Valentina and Isabel still live.
He smirks, stepping closer.
Mia is instantly at my side. “We should go back to the table,” she says, “before they get worried that we’ve been gone too long.”
“The next time I’m in New Bedford, I’ll look up your maid and her daughter. What’s her name?”
You sonofabitch.I turn to Mia. “Just give us a moment. But don’t go too far. I won’t be able to find my way back.”
“I’ll be right here,” she says, mostly for Tomas’s benefit.
“What do you want?” I hiss.
“Have you told him about his father?”
I shake my head, the bile rising.
“I’m next in line to become president of the foundation. My revenge will reach all the way to New Bedford if it doesn’t happen because you couldn’t keep your mouth shut. Do we understand each other?”
My palms are sweating.
“I haven’t ever breathed a word about any of it to anyone. I’m certainly not going to start now.”
“Aren’t you going to ask about my father? Have you lost your manners living in the US? By the way, I tracked you all the way to New Bedford.”
He’s trying to intimidate me with talk of New Bedford—or he’s probing. The skin on the back of my neck prickles. “How’s your father?” I ask, steering the subject away from where I lived.
“Sweet of you to ask. He seems to enjoy being pushed around the gardens. But it’s hard to tell. He doesn’t communicate much.”
Does he really think I care?
From the corner of my eye, I see Antonio approach. Relief rushes through me, like water through an open dam. It leaves me light-headed.
“Tomas. Congratulating the bride-to-be?” Antonio asks, pulling me close to him.
I lean into his body, not to stay upright, but to feel safe.
“My congratulations to both of you. Your father is somewhere right now, delighted to see her at your side. I can almost see his big grin. God bless his soul.”
Antonio tenses, and within seconds I feel the rage vibrating off him.
“Daniela, go back to the table with Mia. I’ll join you shortly.”
I glance at Lucas and Cristiano when I turn to leave. Then at the men I suspect are with Tomas.
I draw a large breath to steady my nerves.
I’m not ready to bring Isabel and Valentina back into this world. But Tomas knows where they’re living. Not the exact location, but he’s close.They can’t stay in Fall River.
I’ll be there in a week, and we’ll make other living arrangements. Valentina’s going to be unhappy about leaving her friends, and I’m sorry about that, but I won’t let them be in danger.
Thank God they have a guard.
