Page 145 of Reckless Vow

All three of them stare at me.

“Are you in love with her?” Massi asks.

That renders me speechless. “What does it take to get a drink here?” I snap.

Gio chuckles. “You’re in love with her. Now I didn’t see that coming.”

“Looks like we’ve missed a lot when it comes to the two of you,” Massi says.

“Okay, so what now? You’re going to propose?” Gio asks.

“We’re already married, dickhead.”

Andrea laughs. “That’s right, cart before the horse and all that. What I don’t understand is why you’re still pretending.”

You and me, bro, you and me. “She’s not ready to talk to Micah.”

“As weird as it would be for him, I’m sure he’d get over the sibling thing. It’s not like you’re blood related.” Gio gestures to a server and orders three whiskeys, since Andrea doesn’t drink.

“I’m not so sure about that, but in any case, it’s Brook who needs to tell him and she’s been stalling.” I run my fingers through my hair.

“Did you tell her you love her?” Massi asks.

“Kind of a moot point since he hasn’t admitted it to himself yet.” Fucking Andrea cackles.

I glare at him, which only makes him laugh harder.

“Okay,” Massi says, “I can’t believe we’re spending our lunch talking about relationships like some chicks, but here are my two cents. By all means, give her time, but it took me seventeen years to sort my shit out with Gina, and I lost precious time with my son because of that. And these two learned it the hard way too. Being scared of love is in our blood, but you need to grow some balls.”

“Hey, I told Ivy I loved her immediately.” Andrea spreads his hands, palms up, in protest.

“Yeah, and spooked her.” Gio rolls his eyes. “As much as I hate to admit it, Massi is right. If she’s stalling, she might need reassurance that she’s not jeopardizing her relationship with Micah. That you’re in it for real.”

* * *

I busy myself with the new club for the next two days. Mostly because I’m a fucking coward. She might need some reassurance, but what about me?

Am I ready to bare my soul, only to be put in second place? And it’s not like I can even hold a grudge. It’s her father, after all.

The man who was a father to me growing up. A man I used to respect, who brought up four amazing women, and in the process held his own with the four of us. Not trying to take our papa’s place, but to fill the void as much as possible.

The man who helped Mom through the rough time when she was left alone with four boys. It was thanks to Micah that she started smiling again.

I don’t have many memories from those early years because I was so young, but I know Micah has been the best thing that could have happened to Mom.

He taught me how to ride a bike, swim, shoot a gun. He drove me to school, built airplanes with me. Was there when I got hurt. Cheered me from the sidelines when I played football in elementary school.

He loves Brook, and he’s fighting a life-threatening disease. Who am I to challenge him?

And yet he’s the reason I didn’t get a chance to be with her when she needed me the most. And I want to be the man who can forgive him, but the sad truth is, I can’t.

Doesn’t Brook deserve better from me?

“Mr. Cassinetti.” Pietro, the concierge, grimaces, or smiles, I guess, when he sees me. “I hope you’re having a good day.”

“Thank you. It’s been busy. Is my wife home?”

“Yes, yes, she is. About that…” His eyes dart around, avoiding me.

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