I thought I had loved him at one time.
How wrong I was.
Dante thought my family was naïve. He had no idea who Antonio really was. My brother was always at least two steps ahead of him.
I stayed silent for a few moments before he broke into my thoughts.
"Antonio said you were worried about someone last month."
Frowning, I nodded. "Yes. Someone came in and ordered a large number of cakes, but it turns out it was for an office party. It was nothing. Me being overly paranoid."
"That is what has kept you safe the last six years, Gabriella. Don't let your guard down now. The more you stay out of the public eye the better."
My stomach dropped. I wasn't sure if I should tell him about the picture or not. I decided it was probably best I do. If I'd put my life in danger last week at the cooking competition, my father needed to know.
EXHAUSTED WASN'T EVEN the word to use to describe how I felt. I finally had a day off and the first place I was going was Gabi's. I didn't even care that it wasn't her day off. I needed to see her. Feel her in my arms. Plus, I needed to brief her on the family dinner tonight.
Rolling my eyes, I let out a sigh. Picking up the phone, I hit my mother's number.
"Nicholaus, it's about time you called your mother."
"I talked to you two days ago, Mama."
"How am I supposed to know you're okay if I don't hear from you?"
Pulling into the guest parking spot at Gabi's place, I put my truck in park and sighed. "No news is good news."
"Nonsense. Now, what time will you be bringing Gabriella over?"
"Why do you insist on calling her that? Her name is Gabi."
My mother laughed. "Because Gabi sounds like a stripper's name."
Scrubbing my hand down my face, I sighed. "Mama, how would you know what a stripper's name sounds like?"
She laughed. "Oh, I know."
My eyes rolled again. "It's only the immediate family . . . right?"
"Define immediate, Nicholaus?"
I groaned. "You, Dad, Thad and Phoebe, and Thano, Kilyn, and Kira."
"Yes."
Relief washed over me. The last thing I wanted was to scare the living shit out of Gabi with the whole family.
"Sounds good. We'll see you later tonight. I've got to get a few hours' sleep, I've been at a stand-off for the last twenty-eight hours."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure your father is on his best behavior."
I didn't have the heart to tell her I wasn't worried about him . . . it was her I was worried about.
"See you later, Mama. Love you."
"I love you too. Tell Gabriella the family is looking forward to meeting her."
Before I could correct her on the name and get her to explain who she defined as family, the line went dead.
I grunted as I got out of the truck and dragged my ass up the stairs to Gabi's place. I was positive she was down in the bakery, so I let myself in and headed to her room. I needed a hot shower and a bed.
Her voice drifted into the room as I came to a stop. I slowly made my way over to the balcony. The door was cracked open enough for her voice to carry inside.
She was upset.
"I understand. Yes, Antonio, I don't need a lecture from you too. I messed up. I had no idea they would do that. I'm very aware of that, thank you very much."
I frowned. Who was she talking to? There was no way this was a business call. Whoever she was talking to, she knew them personally.
"I've already received a lecture from father on this. I don't need one from you as well."
My breath stilled. Her father? Her parents were dead.
"I'm already beating myself up for letting this all happen. It got out of hand and I let my guard down. It won't happen again. Now, can we please change the subject?"
What in the hell is she talking about?
The glass on the door showed her reflection. She was sitting down and a slow smile moved across her face.
"I am excited about Italy. I cannot wait to see you, Antonio. You have no idea."
A stabbing pain shot through my chest.
Who in the fuck was Antonio?
"No, I just told Charity and Nic that I'm going to visit where I used to go with my family. Charity wanted to come with me, but I told her I needed to do this alone. I've told them both I have extended family in Italy. Well, of course I know that."
I stumbled back. Gabi was lying to both me and Charity. But what was she lying about?
"I love you too, Antonio and I can't wait to see you."
And there went the twist of the knife. Turning, I wanted to walk to the front door and leave, but I went to her room instead. I stripped out of my clothes and crawled into her bed. My mind was spinning, and I was too tired to even take a shower.
Who was Antonio? Gabi told me her parents died when she was in high school. Were they alive? Why would she lie?