Chapter 46
Brandi
I watch as Carlos gets on his knees. I’m not surprised because he told me he would prose. But I didn’t know it would be tonight, and I didn't realize Tes would be here sitting across from me. My heart drops as I look at him. I was worried he would drink himself to death after what I did, but he seems fine.
“That could be us, someday,” Adam says. He's been nagging me about a date, but I have no interest in dating anyone else. So us getting married would be impossible. There is only one man I want to marry, the one person I’m not allowed to marry. I close my eyes as I remember his last kiss, the last touch. I miss him so much. I...I can’t do this. I can’t be here. I shuffle to my feet as she says yes.
“Where are you going?” Adam asks.
“I… I need air.” I shuffle to the door, pull it open just as the first tear falls. Should it still hurt so much? After wee
GiovanniThe early sounds of morning break the silence that’s permeated the room since she fell asleep on top of me. We made love for hours after getting back to her hotel room, and then she passed out exhausted. While I haven't been able to sleep because I think she may disappear. So I've spent thelast six hours watching her sleep.I smile as I remember the warmth of her kisses and touch from earlier. I have missed her so much, so one look at her in that red dress at the bar, and all thoughts of reason left the room. Even now, I crave her. I want to be buried deep within her, but I know I need to focus on my reason for being here. After all. I came here for the truth.After leaving Gia’s apartment, I spent the rest of the night asking questions I didn’t ask when she ended things. I didn’t look into where she had been. I didn’t ask how she met Cole after all this time, and I never questioned her, saying she didn&
GiovanniAfter telling a nurse that fenice is up, I head down to the cafeteria to pick something up for her to eat. I know she might not be feeling up to it, but she has to eat, especially now that she’s carrying our child. I smile as I grab a soup, a bottle of orange juice, and an apple. We’ll have to see a gynecologist when we get back. I wonder if Phil is still practicing? He delivered Gia when she was born, but he was older back then, so he’s probably not taking new patients. I enter the elevator and think of everything we need to prepare. I’m going to be a dad again in my 50s. It will be a challenge to keep up, but I can handle it if I stay in shape.The elevator stops and opens. I look up as two men wearing suits and shades look in, then step back. You can enter Mayor French. Before I can react, he steps into the elevator, Theodore French. My jaw tightens as our eyes meet.“There’s someone in this one, boys. Let&rs
Gia I frown as I see the missed calls from Brandi. She’s called me five times today, but unless she’s going to keep her promise, I don’t want to speak to her. I shove my phone in my purse and slip out of my car. It’s been a long day, and I want to enjoy a nice bubble bath and forget about the long day. I spin, suddenly feel someone behind me, and breathe a sigh of relief when I see it’s only dad. “Papi, you scared me.” “What did you say to fenice?” “What?” Oh, he’s talking about Brandi. Of course, it’s about her. I roll my eyes. “I haven’t spoken to her all day, but is that your reason for showing up here?” “At the hospital when I went to get the doctors. What did you say to her?” my heart sinks. Did she tell him? No, if she did, he wouldn’t be asking. She was probably still crying those fake tears, and he saw them. “I told her to get better soon,” I say innocently, hoping he would accept it and change the subject. “Are you going to lie to me about this, too?” What does he me
“B, it’s been a week, and you still haven’t called me back. I miss you. Papi misses you too. I still don’t get what you see in Papi, but I want to understand. And I know I’ve apologized a couple of times, but I hope you know I’m sorry. I haven’t been much of a friend to you these past couple of months, maybe ever. I plan to change and make it up to you, so you have to come back. Please B, call me back.” I sigh and end the call as Carlos walks through the door. He's finally made me realize that this was never about me. And even though I'm not entirely happy they are dating, Irecognize their happiness is more important than any mild discomfort. “Nothing?” Carlos asks, pulling me back to the present. I shake my head and sigh. “No. My messages are still unread, and she hasn't returned any of my calls.” “Keep trying.” He says as he hands me a stack of mail. “I know, but I’m worried. She made Amber the managing partner of her company before she
Brandi “Are you sure it’s okay for me to come over?” I whisper again. “I already told you it’s fine. Mom loves company, and Papi doesn’t care what I do, as long as you’re not a boy.” She replies with a big grin. I smile shyly and nod. It’s only been a week since we became friends, but when I’m with her, I can push everything that’s happening with Colin out of my head. “Is that your house?!” she exclaims as the gate opens. My chest sinks from just looking at it. I wish I didn’t have to come here. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, preparing myself to enter that house. But today I'm not that sad because I'll be with Gianna for the next two days, where Colin can’t touch me. I will pick up some clothes and get out of here before he gets home from practice. “It’s bigger than mine; wow.” She says as the car comes to a stop. “I’ll be right back. I’ll grab some clothes and tell my aunt I’m staying with you and your family for
“Nadia Smith.”I lift my head to the name that has become familiar with these last couple of months. One of Cole’s connections issued me a passport in that name, and I have been using it ever since. Cole used to go undercover for his work and used one of his old aliases. We address each other by those names in public, but when we are alone or with Shanna, we call each other by our real names.'Ms.Smith?" The nurse calls again.“Yes,” I answer as I pull myself to my feet.“Dr. Noan will see you now. You can head to the room at the end of the hallway.” She says before walking away.I have been here many times, so I know my way around the office. I make my way down the hallway, enter the exam room, and sit by the window. A minute later, Shanna joins me.“Hey, you’re looking stunning.”I frown as I stand. “I’m a pregnant mess."“You look beautiful.
GioI stand, pull my gun from my waist, and make my way over to him, grabbing him by the collar.“Woah, Woah, calm down. I thought you would be happy to see me.”He says.“Where is she?” I growl as I press the gun on his temple.“Right now?” He tilts his head to the side.“She’s probably taking a swim.”“I'm not joking. Your brains will be on my carpet if you don’t tell me where the fuck Fenice is?”“If you kill me, how will you find her?”I close my eyes and think about it for a moment. I have searched for months and turned up nothing. The best detectives couldn’t find her. Not even calling in favors from my government buddies turned up anything fruitful. So Cole is my best bet on finding her since he knows where she is.I take a deep breath, release his collar, and pull the gun from his head. I make my way behind my desk, put
I sit parked before the house, my engine running. She should be inside, juston the other side of those walls with my baby.I take a deep breath to steady my pounding heart, but nothing will calm the steady beating, not until I see her and she is back in my arms. I've waited three months for this, and I don't want to wait a moment longer. So I turn the engine off and step out of the car.The cool night air tickles me as I walk with heavy steps towards her door.I raise my hands to knock and pause. What if she isn’t here? What if he just lied to me to get my help? No, she has to be here; this is the house in the video with the red shutters and white fence. She’s inside. All I have to do is ring the doorbell. I reach out and press it. It rings in the house for a second before I hear footsteps coming to the door.“Shanna, I told you to take the back entrance.” Her sweet voice permeates the air.&ldquo