Page 57 of Merciless Monster

DANTE

There’s definitely something going on with Mia. She’s all over the place. I wonder if she has some crazy female intuition about what I did earlier. My mother is like that. One misstep as a child and she’d be all over my ass, as if she knew exactly what I’d been up to.

Her hands are trembling as she cuts through her steak. I can’t take it anymore.

“What’s wrong, Mia? And don’t tell me you’re tired because I’m not buying it.”

She takes a large sip of wine and sets the glass down next to her plate on the table. Then, she takes a big breath.

“I have to tell you something, Dante.”

My stomach is clenched. I hope this isn’t bad news. I've had my fill of bad news for a while.

“What is it?” I encourage her gently.

“It’s about Angelo.”

“Angelo? Is he okay?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry. He's fine.”

“Go ahead.”

“Give me a minute,” she says.

“Take your time.”

It must be big news because she takes a while before she starts speaking again.

“It’s about his father.”

“What happened? Did he contact you? What does he want?”

If Angelo’s loser father is sniffing around, he’d better think twice before moving in on the good thing I’ve got here. Mia and Angelo are my family now. He had his chance.

“Oh, no. Nothing like that. I…”

“For shit’s sake, Mia. You’re freaking me out. What is it? Just tell me.”

“You’re Angelo’s father, Dante. He’s your son. Our son.”

Did she just say what I thought she just said? Did Mia just say that I’m Angelo’s father?

“What?” I say softly.

“You are his father, Dante.”

“But…”

“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. It’s just that. Well, I wanted to, but the time never seemed quite right. I tried to call you when I found out I was pregnant, but I lost my nerve. I didn’t want you to think that I was some sort of social climber who traps a wealthy man with a child. Then, after Angelo was born, I had my hands full and, well, frankly I didn’t think you’d…”

Mia is rambling on like a freight train gone rogue. Her eyes are darting back and forth and she’s writing her hands. She’s clearly upset about this.

“Mia. Stop.”

I get up and make my way over to her. She’s shaking when I take her hands and pull her gently to her feet.

“Shhh. It’s okay. Stop talking for a second.”

---