I gave them a quick rundown of what was going on with Gabe and the Fontanes before calling an end to the meet. It was just about time for dinner, and I was almost dreading whatever the hell it is my kids were up to. The boy had sent a whole family packing, got three people expelled, and had dug up Rebecca Fontane’s past to the point that things were about to get very hairy for the woman soon.
On top of that, he’d entrapped the woman with grand theft auto as well as passing thousands of dollars in counterfeit bills, both of which carry a hefty prison sentence, and one of which got the Feds as well as the secret service involved, and he’d done it in a week. Believe it or not, that’s just the tip of the iceberg from the looks of it.
The fact that he’d used his home computer to do it all and wasn’t hiding from me only scared me at the thought of what he was doing with those people in Sicily on his hidden device. I shudder to think. Garrett thinks he’s like me, but he’s off by a little. Even at my best, I’d not pulled off something like this in the time he’s had. I got so nervous that I even called Lance to watch over him for the night.
FEDERAL BUILDING MANHATTAN
“Well, well, well, look who popped up in her past. I guess this is a family of criminals. Her husband is a bank robber, did ten years of a twenty-five-year stretch, and got paroled early for good behavior of all things.” Agent Smith walked over to his partner’s desk to read over the other man’s shoulder.
“Somebody pulled some strings because he’s only been released within the last week or so.”
“He’s only been out for a few days. Can we really release her to him?” Agent Malone kept reading the report he’d been flagged in when he typed in the suspect’s name.
“I don’t see why not; he’s her father, after all. He’s not on probation or anything. He’s just been paroled. He is a freeman.”
“Wait, does that say she’s his wife? Isn’t she married to the guy in New Hampshire?”
“Looks like someone forgot to update the file. No big deal, it happens all the time.”
“I guess it’s fine to make the call.”
GABRIEL
By the time Lance and I made it back to the house, it was time for dinner, but there was someone waiting for me, someone I had almost forgotten. “Tell Ma and Pop that I’ll be right in.” I slapped Lance on the shoulder, sending him on his way. He’d only nag me to death if he knew what all I’ve been up to.
“Did you get it?” The other man held out a sack for me to take.
“It was easy; she left it in an underwear drawer of all things.”
“Thanks.” I took his offering and headed inside and up the stairs to hide it before heading down to the dining room.
Ma was in her element, having all these people to fuss over for dinner. It’s the Italian in her, I guess, that finds so much pleasure in having a crowded table. I noticed Gianna had remembered my place and had taken the seat next to mine. I’m getting way too into this sappy shit, but it felt good.
The conversation was light and playful. No one mentioned anything too heavy, and there were only a few moments when I noticed a bit of sadness leave her. No doubt she was comparing this scene to the one at her home. That look made me realize that it’s going to take a while before she gets to where I want her to be, or like the voice in my head whispered, that’s just the excuse I’m using to convince myself that it’s okay to put my own shit aside for now and take this time with her for myself.
It’s selfish and not at all what she deserves, but the longer I sat there watching her covertly from beneath my lashes as she tried not to bring too much attention to herself while sucking up the love and camaraderie between my parents and their kids, the more I wanted if just for a little while to show her just a little bit of my heart.
But I don’t really have one, do I? And what can I possibly offer her that’s not going to mess her up in the long run? I can’t give her forever, that much I know. And she’s not the type to settle for less; what’s more, I don’t want her to. I want her to find happiness ever after. But thinking about that doesn’t bring me any peace. In fact, I almost snapped my fork in half just thinking about the shit.
“You okay?” Geez, was her voice always so…so?
“I’m fine; eat your fish; it’s good for you.” She poked at the salmon on her plate and took the tiniest bite possible.
“You don’t like fish?”
“I’ve never really had it. Becky’s allergic to seafood, so there’s never any in the house.”
“Well, we have it often. Someone told Pop that it’s good for Ma and the girls, and we have to have it at least once a week or more. Try it; if it’s good for them, then it’s good for you. Eat up!”
I knew there was more going on with her, but the rest is going to take a minute. It’s actually good that Pop’s snitch was here tonight. The more she sees how relaxed he is with us, maybe it’ll help her to stop feeling like an unwanted guest. She’s so easy to read I have no doubt that’s what she’s thinking.
I didn’t miss the way the others carried on their conversations at the table, leaving us two to our own devices. It shows how sensible my family is; I’m sure they’ve picked up the same vibe from her that I have. After dinner, it was time to walk the mutt for the last time for the night, so I made our excuses and took her upstairs to get him.
“Who takes care of him while we’re at school? I forgot to ask.” She snapped his leash on once we reached downstairs, and I grabbed a jacket from the closet by the front door, an old one of mine, and pulled it around her shoulders. “Thanks, I forgot how cold the nights can get this time of year.”
She was wearing leggings and a long-sleeved tee. Another one of the outfits I’d bought her this one to wear at home. “Didn’t the twins tell you? He goes to daycare with the other two.”
“What? Are you serious?” Her mouth hung open in that way it does when she’s surprised, and I closed it with my fingertip.
Big mistake! As soon as my finger touched her lip, I remembered our kiss. I got stuck standing there on the top step, looking down at her in the moonlight with the brisk New England air bringing the scent of fall to wrap around us. For a few seconds, we were alone in our own little bubble, and I felt myself falling.
My lips were a millimeter away from hers when the mutt tugged on the leash, almost pulling her off the stairs. “Watch it, you, before I turn you into a muff.” I got a slap from her tiny hand against my chest, which barely registered.
“Don’t say stuff like that to him, Gabriel. Now tell me more about this daycare. What does he do there? Are there big dogs there as well?”
I helped her down the steps and tried to take the leash before the unruly dog tripped her up or something, but she wouldn’t give it up. “I guess there’re bigger dogs there, but the sitters take good care of him; nothing will happen.”
“But what if they pick on Thor? He’s so little.”
“Did the other two look like they’ve been hurt?”
“No, but Thor is new. What if the other dogs bully him?”