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I don’t fall in love.
Dante and I have a couple of drinks before dinner and he catches me up on the search for Marco.
“He’s underground,” he says. “So far underground that even my toughest men don’t like to go looking for him.”
I know that means he’s staying with men who don’t care if they live or die.
“And the rest of his family?” I ask.
“They’ve given up,” Dante says. “I’ve spoken to his brother and he doesn’t want this to go any further. He says that Marco’s made his bed, and now he’s got to lie in it.”
I nod. “That’s good news. At least we don’t have to worry about the whole family tree coming after Aurora.”
Dante looks at me curiously. “What’s going on with you two?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly. “It was just a fling, and now it’s over.”
“And the baby?” Dante asks.
“I’ll be a good father,” I say, determined. “I want to be in my child’s life, but that doesn’t mean I have to be with Aurora.”
Before Dante can answer me, the intercom buzzes.
“It’s Carlo Costa,” the tinny intercom says. “I was hoping you might have an update about my daughter?”
I blink, surprised. I didn’t know that Dante had been in contact with Aurora’s father, and suddenly I feel slightly nervous. After all, I’ve heard that Carlo Costa was a force to be reckoned with in his youth, and I’ve knocked up his daughter.
Dante instantly buzzes the man in and I follow him out into the foyer.
“You ready to meet your kid’s grandpa?” Dante asks, a teasing tone in his voice, and I snort out a nervous laugh.
Carlo Costa is an imposing man, broader and more muscular than I am with a layer of fat on his abdomen. His blue eyes pierce through me.
“Good news, Mr. Costa,” Dante says. “Nico here has brought Aurora home.”
Carlo’s eyes change instantly from discerning to bright, and he swallows visibly.
“Where is she?”
Aurora comes out of the kitchen where she’s been helping Marisa with dinner, and she sees her father and instantly runs toward him, throwing her arms around him.
Carlo holds her tightly, kissing her temple. “Carissima,”he murmurs. “I’ve been so worried.”
Aurora sniffles and pulls away, looking at her father. “It’s been so hard,” she admits, crying.
“You’ve been through so much,” Carlo says. “Damn Marco Barone and his—”
Aurora cuts him off. “Don’t, Papa. It’s not important. What’s important is that I’m safe.”
Carlo sighs. “You’re right.” He looks over at Dante and me. “You’re safe due to these two men.” He nods at us. “I’m forever grateful."
I feel a pang of guilt, thinking that he wouldn’t be nearly as grateful if he knew that I knocked up his daughter, but I keep my mouth shut.
Aurora and Carlo talk for a bit and keep close to each other before Aurora glances over at me and asks to be excused. She says she’s still not feeling well.
“Dinner will be ready in half an hour,” she says. “We’ll meet back up then.”
Carlo reluctantly lets go of her hand and Aurora ascends the stairs. I watch her with a frown.
