Page 201 of The Consequences of Love and Vengeance

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

BRIANNA

His voice sounds stressed, maybe even tinged with panic.

Good morning to you too, Dad.

“Dad, are you okay?”

He’s been so off-kilter lately that maybe I should start worrying about him. He’s getting older. I wonder if he’s taking care of himself like he should.

“You’re not at home,” he says. “It doesn’t even look like you slept here last night. Where are you, Brianna?”

Oh, jeez.

As much as I had started to appreciate the sudden interest in him being more fatherly, it’s starting to get on my nerves. Maybe it’s because I’m not used to it, or maybe it’s because it’s too out of character for him.

He was an absentee father most of my life. Even with all he’s told me about my mother, that doesn’t give him the right to all of a sudden become the overly protective type. And it’s not like I need it. I’m grown and capable of taking care of myself.

“I’m at Drago’s,” I concede. “Why are you in my condo anyway?”

How do you have a keyis what I should be asking, but the guys are all staring at me, observing my conversation, so I keep my mouth from demanding that answer.

“I’m sorry, can you repeat that? It sounded like you said you’re at Acerbi’s.”

“I did,” I deadpan, not liking his condescending tone.

“He gave up his son less than twenty-four hours ago. He walked away from you weeks ago, or do you not recall any of that?” Before I interject, he continues. “Why would you ever give him the time of day again?”

“It’s complicated, Dad.” I take a deep breath. “And the last time I checked, I don’t need your permission to see who I want. And furthermore, what the hell happened to client-attorney confidentiality?”

“Nothing is confidential when I pay for it.”

Yep. There he is. The man I know him to be.

“I guess that includes my condo, too.” I can’t help myself. It’s not in me to keep my mouth controlled.

“I’m here because I was worried aboutmydaughter.” He sighs heavily. “Bri, I don’t want to argue with you. You accepted responsibility for a child that isn’t yours. You lost—”

He stops, seemingly unsure if he should bring up the topic of my miscarriage. I haven’t dealt with my emotions, not really. It still hurts. It still feels fresh every morning when I wake up and every night when I lay my head on a pillow. Even with the new development yesterday,my pregnancy, it doesn’t replace what was stolen.

“I’m fine, Dad. You don’t need to worry about me. I have everything under control.”

I’m not ready to tell him I’m pregnant again. He’d lose his shit, and I might give him a heart attack this go ’round. He’s not exactly Drago’s number one fan.

“Bri.” He breathes out my name like I’m a petulant child. “I’ve worried about you since before you were born. It’s the same with your brother. I’m never going to stop worrying about my kids. It’s pointless for you to even ask. You should know that by now. You didn’t stop searching for that boy, did you? It’s no different than that.”

No. I didn’t, and I never would have either had we not found him.He’s safe.He’s home. But I still worry every second of the day.

“I love you too, Dad,” I say. He’ll never win father of the year, but that doesn’t make him any less of one. He does love me. I believe that wholeheartedly. I used to question it, but since my miscarriage, I’m beginning to look at him with new eyes. “And I’m fine. Gabriel’s fine.”

“Brianna.” He sighs deeply, his breath vibrating through the phone connection.

“Dad,” I warn. “We’ll talk later.”

I don’t give him a chance to object before ending the call, sighing to myself.

“You can’t tell your father or the rest of your family, not even your co-workers or friends, that you’re pregnant.”

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