Page 61 of Till Death Do Us Part

“Are you ready to tell Daddy about me?” I looked at her, and the answer was clear on her face. “Thought so. You won’t ever be truly free until you start making your own rules.”

“You know why I can't! I don't want to miss Lo's wedding.”

I ticked my mouth, and she made a frustrated noise in my direction.

“You’re one to talk about secrets,” she snapped. “Your entirebusinessis one dark secret. And besides, I’m a woman. I was built for holding secrets. Including yours.”

Silence fell between us. Even on the elevator ride back up to the penthouse she refused to look at me. She watched the climbing numbers until we reached the top. She didn't say a word to me as she changed into the spare outfit she'd brought to the gala. She stuffed the dress and her heels in the bag and turned to me.

“The meek shall inherit the earth, Felice.” The argument must have been playing in her head, and the comeback was late.

“I don’t want the earth,” I said. “I want you.Eternamente.”Eternally.

She headed toward the door, and we left. Thirty minutes into the drive, I broke the silence.

“I need you in my bed, every morning, every night, Dino.” I squeezed the wheel. “You belong to me.”

She took a deep breath and slowly released it. “You're trying to tell me you were an ass because you’re going to miss me?”

“That's a simple way of putting it. Remember Plato.”

“You truly believe that?”

I nodded. “Nothing else can better explain how whole I am now. And when you leave me, I feel the separation. You’re being ripped from my side again.”

“Me too,” she whispered, locking our fingers. “All of it.”

Chapter21

Roma

Night had fallen, and snow twirled in front of the headlights as Elsa pulled next to Felicia the Fiat.

“Is she serious?” Elsa whispered.

Elsa’s headlights had illuminated two figures sitting in Babbo’s car, which was parked next to mine. The exhaust spewed out smoke, and the windshield wipers went back and forth, clearing the falling and sticking snow.

I sighed. “Isabella can't help herself.”

Babbo turned his car off and stepped out, followed by Isabella and Lo. Lo must have been in the back seat. Babbo’s eyes were narrowed, and Isabella stood with her arms crossed. Lo looked pale and like she couldn't get warm.

“What’s going on?” I asked after Elsa had parked and I stepped out. “Is something wrong?”

“Where are your bags?” Isabella asked, her tone pointed. “With the gifts you supposedly bought.”

“Are you being serious right now, Isabella?”

Isabella ignored Lo. My father's eyes were hard, waiting.

“Here,” Elsa said, popping the trunk to her car. She handed me four or five bags.

I had no idea what was in them, but one glance told me it was gifts for Christmas for my family. Elsa must have done some shopping. Felice must have planned for this. Good was an understatement when it came to his level of scheming.

“Have fun ruining my gifts.” I handed Isabella a bag.

The bitch actually started rooting through them. She started flinging things around, like she couldn't believe it. I felt bad for her kids. She was like Paisano when he caught a scent. He became obsessed with it.

“Who’s this for?” She held up a pink cashmere sweater.

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