God, Dante. How was I supposed to keep this from him?
I couldn’t tell him though. The war with the Famiglia wouldn’t give him any choice but to use Aria against Luca, especially when Rocco found out. Maybe he was a clever strategic genius, but I didn’t like him. Since he married that young girl, less than ever. His desire for the girl had ultimately caused the debacle with Liliana.
I sank down across from Bibi who looked up from the drawing Luisa was doing and frowned. She knew me well. I glanced toward Enzo and gave him a tight smile because he still hovered close to me instead of taking his seat beside Taft. He finally retreated and sat down. My eyes darted to the restroom door, wondering when Aria would emerge, but I didn’t dare focusing my attention there.
Bibi raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”
Her voice was a bare whisper.
“Nothing.” Then I mouthed, “Later.”
“Nothing,” Anna echoed with wide theatrical eyes before she smiled proudly at me. I kissed her hair. Louisa grinned at Anna who hopped off the bench and headed over to her friend so they could draw together. Those two were too cute together.
“How are things with your parents?” I asked softly, needing to change the topic before Anna’s excitement got the better of her, or my worry drove me crazy.
Bibi sighed. “They are very unhappy that I’m still unmarried. It’s scandalous in their eyes. They’ve been talking to Rocco. They think Dante needs to stop putting a hand over me. It’s family, not Capo business.” She gave an apologetic smile. “I hope he doesn’t get in trouble because of me.”
“He won’t,” I said firmly. It had taken a long time for Bibi to recover from Tommaso’s abuse. She hadn’t been interested in being with another man, much less someone her parents chose for her again. They’d given her to a monster the first time. I doubted their taste had improved. They were despicable human beings. “Have you considered going on a date? Getting to know someone?”
Bibi’s eyes widened in shock. “You know how it is. It would be a scandal. Even if I were okay with the backlash, I don’t want Luisa to get problems because of me.” She’d lowered her voice and leaned over the table so her daughter wouldn’t hear her but Luisa and Anna were busy anyway.
I touched her hand. “You act like I want you to become some kind of scarlet woman.”
Bibi snorted, and I smiled. “I mean why not go on dates with possible suitors. Or do you prefer to stay alone?”
Bibi sighed, looking embarrassed. “I want to marry. I want love and everything you have with Dante. But I’m not sure it’s something I can ever have.”
“Of course, you’ll have it.” I paused. “Someone asked me about you. If you were already promised anew, or if you might be up to get to know him.”
Bibi stared at me as if I’d told her earth was a disc. “Really? I mean… who?”
I smiled at her reaction. Enzo got up and scouted the restaurant and street once more. I tensed, wondering if Aria was already gone. I hadn’t dared look in the direction of the restrooms to check if she’d left. I hoped she’d change her mind and take the first flight back to New York instead of meeting me tonight.
“Val?” Bibi asked.
I blinked, returning my attention to her. “Oh, Dario Fabbri. You have met him at social gatherings…”
“The head of Dante’s legal team?”
I nodded. “Yes. He’s very intelligent, very poised, and looks quite nice, don’t you think?”
Bibi flushed a deep red. “I never looked at him that closely.”
I gave her a look.
She smiled sheepishly. “He’s nice to look at. He isn’t promised?”
“He focused on his career so far, and as the third son of a Captain, it’s not really that important to be married. His brothers already have more than enough children to carry on the family name.”
“How old is he?”
I frowned. I wasn’t entirely sure. “Maybe thirty?”
“He really asked about me?”
“Don’t be so shocked. You’re beautiful, Bibi, and since he-who-shall-not-be-named doesn’t suck the life out of you anymore, you’ve got curves in all the right places.”
“But I’ve been married before. Surely, he’d rather have a younger, more innocent bride.”
I rolled my eyes. “Maybe he’s like Dante and wants a woman close to him in age with a little experience in life. Who knows? Why don’t you find out for yourself? Meet him.”
Bibi bit her lip. “Maybe I should do it, but can you be there? I don’t think I can meet him alone yet.”
“I’ll be your chaperone, Bibi. No hanky-panky until I say so.”
Bibi burst out laughing, causing Anna and Luisa to look up, surprised.
My heart felt lighter after this. Being with Bibi and Luisa always cheered me up, no matter what had been before, which is why I met Bibi at least once a week, and right now every second day.
After saying goodbye to Bibi and Luisa, Anna and I got into the back of the car with Enzo and Taft in the front. Enzo gave me a searching look through the rearview mirror and I wondered why. “Home now?” Enzo asked.
“Yes, please. I’m tired.”
I cradled my belly. Anna rested her ear on my bump, looking up at me with wide blue eyes. “Is he dancing again?”
I smiled. Leonas had been very wild lately, which led to sleepless nights and back pain, but I only had a few more weeks to go. “He’s asleep now.”
Anxiety tightened my insides when I returned to the mansion. Dante came out of his office and Anna rushed toward him like usual and flung herself into his arms. He lifted her up and pressed her to his chest. Then he walked toward me and kissed me. “Everything okay?” he asked.
For a moment, I thought he knew about Aria but then I told myself that I was being ridiculous. He always asked how I was. I was practically bursting by now. “Leonas and I are fine.”
“How was your lunch with Bibi?”
“Wonderful.”
“Luisa and I painted a jungle. And a tiger, and an elephant! And Mommy and I played hide and seek with—”
“Luisa and Bibi. It was so much fun,” I said then added quickly. “Oh, and I convinced Bibi to go out with Dario. You said I don’t have to worry about her with him, right?”
Dante set Anna down who darted away toward the kitchen, probably to beg Zita and Gabby for sweets.
“From what I know of him, he isn’t a man who’d abuse a woman.”
Something about Dante’s gaze had me worried. “Is something the matter?”
He shook his head. “Plenty to do.”
I smiled. “Will you meet with the Captains tonight as usual?”
“That’s the plan, unless you need me home?”
He searched my face.
I shook my head. “No, I’ll probably watch my favorite series and then go to bed early if Anna allows it.”
“All right,” he said then kissed me again before he returned to his office.
Guilt slashed through me. I’d lied to his face.
* * *
I should have known Dante would find out. Since the start of the war, he’d been even more careful, more vigilant. Now it was too late. I’d unknowingly led Aria into a trap.