Page 125 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

“Someone is in trouble,” Luca sings from the couch.

“Grown-ups can’t get in trouble, Daddy.” Mia giggles from where she is lying stretched out on the couch with her head in her dad’s lap.

“Of course they can, sweet pea.” He looks up, blinding me with a smile that’s a mixture of delight and mischief.

For half a second, I wonder why he isn’t with this little girl’s mother. Luca seems like a nice guy. His sister thinks the world of him, and from the look on Mia’s face, she does too.

“Then you’re in trouble, Daddy.”

“Grown-ups except for me,” he amends, making me laugh. Luca is too cute for his own good.

“Especially you,” Caprice says from where she’s sitting, once again, reading a book.

“Daughter,” my father calls from behind me, making me sigh before stepping to the side and taking him in.

“Dad?” I draw out, wondering why on earth he’s here. I thought I was clear on the phone. “What are you doing here?”

“Is there somewhere we can talk?”

“Bri, dear, why don’t you and your father walk out onto the terrace. It’s such a lovely warm day out there. I’ll bring drinks.” Mona doesn’t wait for a reply before turning and heading to the kitchen, I imagine.

The rose-colored blush gracing her cheeks doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s funny for all of two seconds until I realize why. She finds my dad attractive.

“Bri,” my dad calls out when I continue staring at the back of Mona’s retreating form.

“Yeah. Sorry.” I turn away from him, looking around. I didn’t even know there was a terrace, so for a minute, I’m at a loss, not knowing where to go.

“Who are you?” Mia jumps off the couch, running up to my dad.

“Robert,” he says curtly.

“Mia A-chair,” she greets him, extending her small little arm. I snort a laugh and so does Luca when she pronounces her last name wrong. For a three-year-old though, she speaks really well.

“You forgot the ‘be’ Mia-bug,” her dad tells her. Shaking his head, he looks at me. “Patio is through that door.”

He points to his left, over and behind the couch he’s sitting on. There are floor-to-ceiling windows that line the wall behind him, but all of the blinds have been closed, making the room darker and more enjoyable to watch TV.

“Thanks,” I tell him.

Once I’m through the door, the scenery is the first thing I notice. It’s gorgeous out here. I wouldn’t have realized we were on the second level of the house since it doesn’t seem that way upon entering through the front.

Walking to the railing, I see a pool below, surrounded by lawn chairs and patio furniture with coverings over them. There is a patch of grass with a gate to my left. Inside is a big child play set that’s much too big for Mia at her age now. There are toys scattered everywhere, and the sight warms my heart. Drago obviously loves his niece if all of this is here just for her.

So why can’t he open up to the thought of Gabriel?

Hearing a heavy sigh come from behind me, I turn, eyeing my father. He’s standing by the door, dressed in his usual suit and tie. For a man in his mid-fifties, he’s fit, still has a head full of dark brown hair, and if you didn’t know him, stunningly blue eyes that would make you want to trust him. If I look hard enough, I can see why Mona might be taken by him.

But if you know him, you know how cunning he really is. Robert Andrews, although not a bad person, can be very ruthless when he wants something. He isn’t above using any means, money or emotions, to bend someone to his will.

Striding over, I take a seat in one of the many cushioned chairs scattered about on the large landing. My father, on the other hand, goes to stand next to the railing where I just left.

“You going to talk?” I prompt when he doesn’t pipe up.

“Bri,” he says too softly, not sounding like himself. “Come home with me.”

“No, Dad,” I argue.

“Please come home with me, sweetheart.”

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