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He nodded. “Looks like they’ve had a change of heart.”
“Did they agree to their original fee?”
“We haven’t discussed details. They just said they want to meet.”
“Ambush?”
Theo shrugged. “I doubt it. They probably realized they’re sitting on a ton of product they can’t move.”
“Should we say we’ve already found another supplier?”
“Yes. Bring them back to their original fee. Dante won’t like it, but he’s a fucking pussy.”
“And he’s outnumbered two to one.”
“Exactly. I’ll set up the meeting.”
“Alright.” I wasn’t as invested as I normally would be. Whether this deal worked out or not, I’d lost the one thing I actually cared about.
I stood in the parlor near the fire and waited for Dante.
It was the first time I’d left the house since Scarlett had moved back to her old apartment. Now that she was gone, the city looked different. The lights that shone on the Duomo weren’t as bright. The starlight was obscured by clouds. The most romantic city in the world had become the dullest. I’d never considered myself a romantic guy, but I’d turned into Romeo when I’d met my Juliet.
When his footsteps sounded, I turned from the fire to meet his gaze.
His look was guarded and cold, like it wasn’t the least bit pleasing to meet me tonight. Perhaps he already knew Scarlett and I had separated. Perhaps he didn’t. Since I hadn’t spoken to Scarlett, I really had no idea how she lived her life without me.
He moved to the couch and sat down, one ankle on the opposite knee, his stare hostile.
I crossed the room and sat across from him.
There was a showdown between us, an exchange of ruthless stares.
He was the first to speak. “Why are you here?”
“Your daughter left me.”
There was no surprise. There was no remorse either.
“Said she couldn’t move past my infidelity.”
The guy didn’t even blink.
“If you don’t feel any ounce of guilt, then you must really be a psychopath.”
“Or I just don’t like you.”
Asshole. “The only feelings that matter are your daughter’s. She’s making a decision without the facts, a decision that will affect the rest of her life. Tell her the truth so she can stop being miserable.”
“Miserable?” he asked. “She seemed fine to me.”
An explosion of pain hit my chest, the devastation passing in aftershocks.
“She said she was relieved it was over for good.” He said it with a straight face, like a weatherman reporting the weather during the nightly news.
For an instant, I succumbed to it, picturing her happy while I was miserable on the couch all day. So miserable that I’d barely eaten since the morning she’d walked out. “You can’t manipulate me the way you manipulate Scarlett. I know how much she’s hurting right now. And she knows how much I’m hurting.”
Dante didn’t deny the accusation, but he kept a straight face like a poker champion.
