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“Poor Alessandro,” Vivian agrees.
I follow Brooks from the conference center, keeping my head held high. In the hallway, I exhale.
“It’s hard being around piranhas.”
“What?”
Brooks points over his shoulder. “The Elite bitches.”
“Jesus. I thought maybe it was just me.”
“Not at all. The only one worse than them is Missy.”
“Who is she? They mentioned her earlier, saying she was the type of woman Alessandro would usually go for.”
He whistles. “They didn’t waste much time, did they?”
“So I’m guessing it’s true.”
“Well, Ace didn’t fly across the country to stop her wedding when she married DeLeon, now did he?” He smiles. “Just remember that. No matter what they throw at you, he chose you.”
“God, you’re so good at it.”
His eyebrow lifts. “At what?”
“At selling whatever you’re saying. It’s a talent.”
“Thanks, I think.”
“No, I wish I was more like that.” I exhale. “I’ve always struggled to be strong and bold, but it’s been hard because there’s people who want to knock me down.”
“Do you know why that happens?”
“Because I look like a pushover?”
He’s serious as he says, “It happens because people see your strength, Isabetta. They see this greatness in you, and it scares them. So they try to knock you down. But what they don’t know is that you are strong and that none of it matters.”
“See, you’re doing it again.”
He snorts. “I’ll let you laugh it off, but mark my words, one day soon you’ll see the truth in what I was saying.”
My eyes water and I have to blink back tears. This man has just met me, and yet he makes me feel like he sees me.
“Thank you, Brooks.”
“No need to thank me. I just call ‘em like I see ‘em. Besides, Ace thinks the world of you, which takes a lot.” He smiles. “You’re good for him.”
“He’s good for me.” I frown. “I just wish I understood the Brotherhood more.”
“Hell, there are members of the Brotherhood who don’t even understand it. The best thing you can do is just be there for Ace.”
“I can do that.”
“I knew you could. Now, let’s get the hell out of here.”
“Deal.”
Because I’d much rather be at home than here.
