Page 75 of Hot Momosa

“And before you say it, he’s not a mafioso. Leo owns a hotel and restaurant. His family risked their lives to break ties with the old world.”

“I’m aware. I’ve made it my business to keep tabs on the Marchionnis.” He tilted his head. “Does he treat you well?”

“I’m not hearing this. Waylon, think about what this will do to the campaign!” Robert marched around the settee. “You’re not seriously going to allow this to stand?”

“This doesn’t concern you.” He nodded to the door. “We’ll talk about what you did and did not know about Harrison Meriwether, and why you insisted on that damned article, later.”

Robert gawked for half a second before storming out of the room.

My father turned his attention back to me. “Is what you said about Harry true?”

Nodding, I said, “I’m surprised you didn’t know. Robert does background checks on all of my friends.”

My mother choked on her martini. “Glad I’m not the only one he keeps tabs on.”

He glanced between us. “While I don’t condone such a thing, Rob does what he does to protect mine and this family’s reputation.”

“On that note, I’m leaving.” Mom set her empty glass on the antique credenza. “The food is getting cold.”

He waited until she flounced out of the room and turned his attention back to me. “Don’t worry about Robert. I’ll talk him down from his bell tower before he does any more damage.”

“Thank you. How are things between you and Mom?” I don’t know why I asked. It was obvious the tension between them had gotten worse.

“She asked for a divorce. Again.”

“I wish I could say I’m surprised.” Growing up, I’d heard the D-word on a monthly basis, if not more. I hadn’t understood why they’d never gone through with it until I was a teenager. My father had told me in no uncertain terms the American people weren’t ready for another divorcee in the White House. They’d given Ronald Reagan a pass because he was an actor. We hadn’t discussed the politics of ending a marriage since Trump had taken the White House, but I didn’t get the feeling my father had changed his stance.

“I don’t think she wants to leave me. If she did, she would have filed the papers long ago.”

I’d heard this all before. “You could file and put you both out of your misery.”

He drew a deep breath. “You were too young to remember, but I did just that twenty-five years ago.”

This was news to me. “And?”

“And she changed her mind. Begged me to stay.” He stared at his hands. “Robert convinced me to drop the petition.”

Freakin’ Robert.

I’d never understood why he hadn’t run for office himself.

“Between you and me, I’m beginning to wonder if the presidency is worth the aggravation.” He smiled the first real smile I’d seen from him in what felt like years. “Enough of that. Does Leo make you happy?”

“So much. And you should see him with Gunnar. They’re my world.”

“Then I’m happy for you.” He brushed my hair back from my face and kissed my forehead. “Don’t base your life on my career.”

“Thanks, Dad. You don’t know what it means to me to hear you say that…but who are you and what have you done with my father?” I poked his side. I’d expected him to laugh or at least smile, but he did neither.

“I’m serious, Dahlia. If my voters have a problem with two people in love, then I don’t want their support. Gunnar deserves to be raised by two parents who love each other. I’m sorry you never had that.” The regret in his voice broke my heart.

I wanted to tell him it was okay. He’d done his best in a bad situation. That I was certain my mother had been lovely when they’d first married, but I couldn’t. “Would you be terribly upset if Gunnar and I spent Christmas with Leo’s family?”

He dipped his chin, sucked in a breath, and nodded. “It won’t be the same here without you, but I understand this may be Gunnar’s only opportunity to spend the holidays with his other grandfather.”

The thought made my eyes sting. Papa Joe Marchionni wasn’t my favorite person, but he was the sort of man who could make you look past his shortcomings with a wink and a smile. Leo came by his charm honestly.

“I’ll tell your mother and Robert after you leave. No sense in causing another scene.” He motioned to the door. “Come. Breakfast is getting cold.

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