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I’ve fought my feelings for months. However, this woman isn’t anything I thought she was. Gio is right, there’s something in Lizzy’s eyes that shouldn’t be there.
How? Why? Who is she?
I don’t need personal security.
She said the words with so much confidence. Like she’s me. Ha! Lizzy is no me. I remind myself of this as I step in the shower to wash the day away. The things I’ve done today alone would make her run from me. My gun is still smoking from the last visit of my day.
“Forget her hurting you. You’ll ruin her life,” I remind myself out loud.
Chapter 29
Fishy Deals
Lizzy
A month later…
“These look great,” Dante says as I stand beside him, looking over a few new menu mock-ups on my tablet that’s on his desk.
My chest swells with pride. I worked hard with the graphic team to come up with a few choices Dante would like. I love that he’s trusting me with so many new tasks.
I’d do anything to lighten his load. He always looks so stressed. Now that Bella no longer comes to the office, things have changed. He’s not in as great a mood every day. He’s not putting on a brave face for his little girl. He’s all business.
I suck in a breath as he places his hand on my back as he swipes to the next mock-up with the other. “What do you think of this one?” he asks and points to my tablet.
“I don’t think it fits the restaurant. Maybe the City Island location, but not this one,” I reply.
“Knock, knock,” Gio croons from the door, grabbing both our attention.
Like only Gio can do, he saunters in and takes a seat in front of Dante’s desk. Jace is right behind him, but he moves to the seating area across the office.
I expect Dante to remove his hand, but he starts to run it up and down my back absently. “I agree. Send the other one to print. I want this one to go to the City Island location. Have them change the text and you can approve the final for print when it’s done.”
I stand up straight and his hand falls away. I take a calming breath and wiggle a bit as my panties start sticking to my lips. I tug at my blue silk blouse, trying not to sweat all over the place.
“What’s up?” he says to Gio.
Gio looks to me, then back to Dante. A grin tugs at his lips before he steeples his fingers in front of his mouth.
“I came to talk a little business.”
Dante holds up a finger.
“Liz, how’s the Easter egg hunt planning going?”
I tap my tablet that’s now in my hand. “Check your email. Everything is set up. If you want any changes, let me know.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem. Oh, you might want to look over yesterday’s point-of-sale spreadsheets. The numbers look off. Dario called. He wanted you to know he’ll be away a little longer.”
He nods. “I’m heading over to the restaurant today to check on things.”
“I’ll come with you,” Gio says.
“Good, we can talk in the car…” He pauses as he narrows his eyes at the screen before him. “What the fuck? These numbers are more than off. Tell Nyla to clear the rest of my day.”
Without a word, I leave to do just that. The look on his face says a million words.
Dante
“Have you seen these?” I seethe.
“No, but what I came to talk about might be the reason for whatever you’re looking at.”
I look up at my brother to give him my full attention. I get a sinking feeling as I take in his expression. It’s like I’m Alice being sucked into another world. Things have been quiet. Other than the fact that my mother-in-law hasn’t surfaced, I haven’t had to be that guy in weeks.
I honestly started to feel like a normal guy. I thought I could do this. Be the CEO and the Capo my family needs. Acceptance had started to set in. I’ve even considered taking Lizzy out on a date.
I roll my eyes. “What now?”
“Gustloff’s fat, greasy ass delivered a bunch of bad fish to the restaurants. None of it was salvageable. They couldn’t serve seafood at any of the locations last night. Today’s shipment was worse.”
I clench my fist. “Has he lost his fucking mind? Does he know what this means?”
“He knows. I’m just curious as to why he has the balls to do this, knowing the cost.”
“Jace, have Zek come for Lizzy.”
“Take her with you,” Gio says.
I look at him as if he’s lost his fucking mind. He knows what I’m about to do. Why the fuck would I take Lizzy? This isn’t some routine check-in.
“She’s going home, where she’ll be safe.”
“Don’t you sound like an overprotective boyfriend,” he taunts.
“She’s not my girlfriend, she’s my employee. Thanks to you, she’s still texting Jacob.”
