“Mother,” we said in unison. When it came to guilt trips, Cecelia Lau was a diamond status frequent flyer.
“When’s he leaving?” I stared at the city below. If only I could stay here forever, removed from the worries and uncertainties plaguing life on the ground.
“Monday. I know it’s short notice, but if you can make it, I’d love to see you.” Agnes’s voice softened. “I really do miss you.”
My teeth scraped my bottom lip. I could breathe now that the Legacy Ball was over, and I hadn’t visited Eldorra in over a year. But was I ready to see my father again so soon?
Indecision twisted my insides.
“I miss you too,” I finally said. “I’ll see what I can do. Say hi to Mother for me, and get some sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I hung up and rejoined Dante by the edge of the deck. “Sorry. Family stuff.” I sighed and pulled my jacket tighter around me. The wind had died down, but a chill remained. “My parents are in Eldorra, and Agnes wants me to visit. Talk things out with them.”
Dante was an odd person for me to discuss this with, considering his history with my father, but I didn’t know who else to talk to. He was the only one besides my father and me who had a full understanding of the situation. Even Agnes and my mother didn’t know the role he’d played in Lau Jewels’ troubles, though they were aware of everything else.
His expression was one of studied neutrality. “Do you want to go?”
“Maybe.” Another sigh. “I do want to see my sister, and I need to talk to my mother in person. But I don’t know if I’m ready to face my father alone again. He’s leaving Monday, though, so I have to make a decision. Fast.”
“You should go.”
My head jerked up in surprise.
“If you don’t, you’ll always wonder what if.” The moon cast Dante’s face in light and shadow—sharp lines and bold features, but with a softness in his eyes that slayed me. “Do I want you to be near your father? No. I don’t think he deserves to have anything to do with you. But I have a feeling you need more closure than what you got in Boston. So, for that reason, you should go. See your sister. Find some clarity.”
“Right.” I released a long, controlled breath. “I guess I should look up flights soon.” It was Thursday night. Realistically, I wouldn’t fly out until Saturday, which left me with a day and change in Eldorra.
“You could.” Dante paused. “Or you could take my jet.”
My eyes widened.
“You said you might not be ready to face your father alone again. If you want, I can go with you.” His voice grew soft. “Given my…complications with your family, I understand if you don’t, but the offer’s on the table. You can take my jet either way. It’s easier than finding a flight at this late notice.”
My heart fluttered without my permission. “If you go, it means you’ll have to stay in the same house as my father.” There were no hotels or inns near my sister’s estate. It was too remote.
A shadow crossed Dante’s face. “I know.”
“You’d be okay with that?”
“I’ll survive. It’s not about me, mia cara.”
Warmth curled low in my stomach. “And work?”
He gave me a crooked smile. “I think I can convince the boss to give me a day off.”
The warmth spread into my veins.
Going on a long-distance trip with Dante was a bad idea…but going to see my father without backup was worse.
“Can we leave tomorrow?”
CHAPTER 42
Vivian & Dante
VIVIAN
My sister and brother-in-law lived in Helleje, an idyllic county of beautiful villages, centuries-old manors, and state-preserved heritage sites located three hours north of Eldorra’s capital Athenberg.
Dante and I landed at Helleje’s tiny airport on Friday afternoon. It took us another forty minutes by car to reach Agnes and Gunnar’s thirty-acre countryside estate.
“Vivian!” My sister answered the door, the picture of country chic in her loose white blouse and riding boots. “It’s so good to see you. You too, Dante,” she said graciously.
I assumed my father hadn’t told her what Dante did, either. She wouldn’t have been so calm otherwise.
I wasn’t surprised. My father would never willingly admit someone got the better of him.
Dante and I dropped our luggage in our rooms upstairs before rejoining Agnes in the living room. Gunnar was in session in Parliament, so it really was a Lau family weekend.
I paused when I saw my mother sitting on the couch next to my sister. At first glance, she looked as put together as ever, but a closer examination revealed the lines of tension bracketing her mouth and the faint purple smudges beneath her eyes.
A pang hit my chest.
Her eyes brightened, and she rose halfway at my entrance before sitting back down. It was an unusually awkward move for Cecelia Lau, one that made my heart squeeze.
Agnes’s gaze ping ponged between us.
“Dante, why don’t I give you a tour of the house?” she said. “The layout can be confusing…”
He glanced at me. I gave him a small nod.
“I’d love a tour,” he said.
My mother stood fully when they left the room. “Vivian. It’s good to see you.”
“You too, Mother.”
And then I was engulfed in her arms, my eyes stinging when I breathed in the familiar scent of her perfume.
We weren’t big on physical affection in our household. The last time we’d hugged had been when I was nine, but this felt like a much-needed embrace for both of us.
“I wasn’t sure you would show,” she said when she released me. We took our seats on the couch. “Have you lost weight? You look skinnier. You need to eat more.”
I was either eating too much or too little. There was no in between.
“I haven’t had much of an appetite,” I said. “Stress. Things have been…chaotic.”
“Yes.” She took a deep breath and ran a hand over her pearls. “What a huge mess this is. I’ve never been so angry with your father. Imagine, doing that to Dante Russo, of all people…”
I cut her off with the question that’d been plaguing me since I overheard Dante’s conversation with my father. “Did you know about the blackmail?”
Her mouth parted. “Of course not.” She sounded appalled. “How could you think that? Blackmail is beneath us, Vivian.”
“You’ve always gone along with what Father does. I just assumed…”
“Not always.” My mother’s face darkened. “I don’t agree with him trying to disown you. You’re our daughter. He doesn’t get to decide whether or not I can see you or single-handedly kick you out of the family. I told him as such.”
A ball of emotion tangled in my throat at the unexpected development. My mother had never stood up for me before.
“Is he here?”
“He’s upstairs, sulking.” A frown pinched her brow. “Speaking of which, you should go to your room and change before dinner. A T-shirt and yoga pants? In public? I hope no one important saw you at the airport.”