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“Nothing,” she says, wiping at her face.
I sit next to her on the bed and wrap an arm around her shoulder, pulling her into my chest. “Something is wrong or you wouldn’t be crying and breaking my heart right now,” I tell her.
“Sorry, Dad,” she says.
“What happened?”
Aurora sits up, wipes at her face again, and looks me dead in the eye. “I keep fucking up, even though I’m just trying to do the right thing,” she says.
“You know, not everyone’s problems are yours to fix.”
“It was Tilly. But you can’t tell anyone, Dad. I promised her I wouldn’t say who he was.”
“What was Tilly?” I attempt to clarify.
“The guy at the bar. He cheated on Tilly and she was crying. I just wanted to hurt him like he hurt her, but worse…” Aurora’s top lip curls when she says the last part, and I see her mother’s fire staring back at me.
“And that’s admirable of you. But don’t tell your mom I said that. I’ll deny it,” I say, and Aurora laughs. “Baby, I get why you did it, but what would have happened if he hurt you? If he hit you?”
“I would have stabbed him in his dick,” she replies with all seriousness.
“Did Tilly know about your little revenge plan?” I ask her.
“No.”
“Sometimes, when people cry on our shoulders, that’s all they want from us, Aurora. A shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen.”
“You know, everyone says Zio Romeo is the smart one, but I think it’s you, Dad. You’re way smarter.” She smiles up at me.
“And you’re still grounded.” I kiss her on the forehead.
“Argh, can’t we just go to Italy tomorrow? Zio Luca is already there. Dante’s been sending me pictures,” she says.
“We’re leaving Friday. Pack light. The jet can only hold so much weight,” I tell her, kissing her forehead a second time before I push to my feet. “You going to be okay?”
“Yep, thanks, Dad.”
“Not sure I did anything, but you’re welcome.”
“You don’t have to do anything in particular. I’m just thankful you’re my dad,” she says.
“Don’t tell your brothers, but you’ve always been my favorite.” I wink.
“Oh, I know.” She smirks.
By the time I leave her room, Aurora’s face is dry and it doesn’t look like the tears will return. I walk into my own bedroom and find Savvy exactly where I wanted her. On our bed, except she isn’t naked.
“Why aren’t you naked?” I ask aloud.
“Come here. Check this out. I’m looking at fabrics for the Italy house,” she says.
I turn my head back towards the door. Maybe Aurora still needs me. I’d much rather deal with my devil spawn than be forced to look at fabric swatches.
ChapterEleven
“Do we have to be on the same flight with them?” T asks me for the tenth time as the car pulls up to our private hangar.
“Yes, they’re your children and grandchildren, T,” I tell him, and he groans.
