Page 93 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

He would finally ask Allison to move in with him, just as he had been contemplating for months. It was the next step, the only step that made sense. Living together would allow them both to explore whatever it was between them—though Angelo already knew, deep down, exactly what it was.

He wanted her. He wanted her in his life, in his home, and in his future. Allison would be his; of that, he was certain.

But there was one small problem. Well, maybe not so small—more like a series of looming obstacles. If his investigation into Lockwood’s shady business dealings uncovered what he suspected, Angelo would soon be on a collision course with Allison’s father. And he still hadn’t told her a thing about it.

Yeah, this should go well.

As he looked at Allison, surrounded by her brothers, he knew one thing for sure: no matter what happened, he wasn’t going to let anything—or anyone—stand in the way of what he wanted.

All he had to do was find the right time to tell her.

Moments later, the tension had dissipated, and everyone returned to their seats.

“Now, I’m afraid I must apologize for those punches, Mr. Taylor,” Leopold said, his carefree smile back in place.

“Apology accepted, Leopold.”

Angelo intentionally used the man’s first name, a tactic he’d picked up in the boardroom—meant to intimidate while appearing friendly. However, he quickly realized he had underestimated his opponent. Instead of the tension he intended, Leopold remained calm and relaxed.

There was a moment of silence as the tension in the room shifted from explosive to simmering. Finally, Frederick threw up his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. But don’t expect us to play nice anytime soon.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Allison replied, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

Angelo, who had been silent through most of this, finally decided to speak. “Thank you,” he said, looking directly at her brothers. “I know this isn’t easy, but I appreciate you both trying to be civil.”

“Don’t thank us yet,” Leopold muttered. “I have one question.”

What could he possibly ask that hadn’t already been covered?

“How are you going to tell Dad?”

Oh. That’s the one.

Allison didn’t miss a beat. “I was thinking John could help us, though it would be safer if we were all present,” she replied, her tone cold and professional. Angelo didn’t like it. He preferred her warmth when she was happy, her sassiness when she was confident. He wanted her to be as vibrant as she usually was.

Leopold shook his head. “No.”

“No?” Angelo echoed, surprised by the naturalness of Leopold’s objection. It was clear that despite his easygoing demeanor, Leopold was not having a good day.

“Allison, you know how our father thinks. He sees our close relationship as a weakness. He’ll think we’re ganging up on him.”

As much as Angelo hated to admit it, from what little he knew about Oliver Lockwood, Leopold might be right. But then again, the man would be difficult no matter what.

“He’ll feel ambushed regardless, Leo. But I can’t do this alone. I can’t… I can’t handle him by myself.” Allison’s voice cracked on the last word, and Angelo felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He didn’t know what compelled him to speak, but he couldn’t stand to see the woman who had been so confident moments ago seem so defeated.

“You won’t be alone, Allison,” Angelo said softly, giving in to his earlier desires. He reached over and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll be right there beside you.”

Frederick sneered, unsurprisingly. “That’s part of the problem, asshole.”

Angelo’s patience had been wearing thin with Frederick’s antics, but the man’s snarky tone was the final straw.

“Keep running your mouth in front of your sister,Freddie, and I’ll show you what the real problem is,” Angelo warned, his voice dangerously low.

“Oh, you little—”

“Boys! Please,” Allison interrupted, her voice strained with desperation. The crack in Angelo’s heart deepened at the sound.

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