Page 52 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

Talon gave a slow, confident nod, the kind that came from years of being the best at what he did. “I’ll find it, whatever it is.” He rose smoothly, shrugging into his worn leather jacket with the kind of practiced ease that made it clear this wasn’t his first dance in the shadows. The room seemed to shrink around him, his presence commanding despite the undercurrent of danger that always lingered with him. As he moved toward the door, he paused, halfway out, and glanced back over his shoulder. “But Angelo, brace yourself. Whatever we uncover… it might not be easy to swallow.”

Angelo didn’t respond right away, his mind already churning with possibilities, each one darker than the last. His thoughts inevitably drifted back to Allison, the memory of their last conversation flickering in his mind like a candle struggling against the wind. She had been evasive, her usual spark dimmed by something he couldn’t quite put his finger on. It gnawed at him, the way she seemed to be carrying a weight too heavy for her slender shoulders. He knew she was trying to reach her brother, but what was really going on behind those guardedeyes? And how could he get her to trust him, to open up and let him in?

“I need to talk to her,” Angelo said finally, his voice tight with determination. “She needs to hear this from me. And I need to know what she already suspects.”

Talon’s expression softened, if only for a moment, a flicker of something almost resembling sympathy crossing his features. “Be careful with her, Angelo. She’s not the enemy here.”

“I know,” Angelo replied, though the frustration in his voice was undeniable. “But I can’t protect her if I’m in the dark.”

Talon didn’t push further. He simply nodded, a silent agreement passing between them. With a final glance, he turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him with an unsettling finality.

As Angelo turned to gaze at the Seattle skyline, he couldn’t shake the nagging question: would this plan really make things better, or would it only complicate everything further?

He took a deep breath, grounding himself in the weight of his father’s teachings. He could be the man he aspired to be—a cutthroat businessman, a protector, a partner.

His father had taught him everything he needed to know about running a company since he was fifteen. He could read between the lines, spot when he was being played, and always find a way to gain the upper hand. He knew how to control every interaction.

Except, it seemed, when it came to Allison Lockwood.

His thoughts drifted back to the idea that had crossed his mind a few days ago.

What if shedidmove in with him?

It had seemed ridiculous at first, but now, with the way she had pulled away and their communication had dwindled, the idea felt more justified.

His mind raced with uncertainty. What if she said no? The rejection would hurt more than he wanted to admit. He wanted to support her, but there was a fine line between helping and overstepping.

And then another thought crept in: What if she said yes? The image of her filling his home with laughter and light made his heart race. Could they cook together, stay up late talking, share quiet mornings over coffee?

As he wrestled with these possibilities, the headache began to tighten its grip, but he ignored it, too caught up in his internal debate.

Left alone in the quiet room, Angelo felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him, the walls seeming to close in as the full scope of what lay ahead began to take shape in his mind. Every instinct told him time was running out, that whatever storm was brewing, it was about to break—and when it did, there would be no turning back.

It had taken weeks for Allison to finally arrange this meeting with her brother. Angelo had grown increasingly anxious as her replies to his texts became more sparse and unenthusiastic. Something was clearly wrong, but she hadn’t yet told him what it was.

What could she possibly be so afraid or shy to share with him?

As the days dragged on and Allison’s pregnancy progressed, Angelo’s nerves began to fray. He prided himself on being in control of his business, his emotions, his life. But lately, that control had been slipping, replaced by a gnawing sense of dread that he couldn’t fully explain.

He shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the present. With a quick, practiced motion, he smoothed out invisible crinkles on his crisp white shirt. Checking his watch for the third time in as many minutes, he felt a chill run down his spine as the familiar sound of a car engine approached and then cut off, signaling Allison’s arrival.

Angelo inhaled deeply, willing himself to stay calm, but his heart was racing. The sound of a car door creaking open snapped his attention forward, and when he looked up, time seemed to freeze.

Fuck. Me.

Angelo was certain he was going to die.

The clock was ticking for everyone, he knew, and he saw himself as a pragmatic man. No, his issue here wasn’t time. Hisproblemwas the sandy blonde, green-eyed, impossibly beautiful, and very much not-his woman who was stepping out of the car in front of him.

Allison “Pinkie” Lockwood.

She moved slowly, almost hesitantly, as if aware of the effect she had on him. Angelo had never felt more out of control than he did in that moment. The second she extended one long, booted leg from her BMW, he was transfixed, feeling a rush of emotions he struggled to contain, and he quite simply knew he was dying.

Maybe I’m already dead.

Is this heaven?

When both of her feet finally touched the ground, Angelo jerked forward, reminding himself not to be a creep and to actually help her out of the car. He reached out a hand, and she flashed him a grateful smile that made his heart skip a beat.

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