Camden
It’s nearing dusk by the time Kendall wakes up and she and Elora come down for dinner. I want to grab Kendall’s arm, pull her aside and talk to her, but what would I even say? It’s not like I’m willing to give up everything to be with her.
Am I?
My chest feels tight every time I think of her not being around. Worse still, the idea of us not being exclusive means that she might start seeing someone else, and that makes my stomach roll.
I’m just territorial. It doesn’t mean anything. I care about her, sure, we’ve been through a lot together, but it’s not love.
I don’t fall in love.
Dante and I have a couple of drinks before dinner and he catches me up on the search for Marco.
“He’s underground,” he says. “So far underground that even my toughest men don’t like to go looking for him.”
I know that means he’s staying with men who don’t care if they live or die.
“And the rest of his family?” I ask.
“They’ve given up,” Dante says. “I’ve spoken to his brother and he doesn’t want this to go any further. He says that Marco’s made his bed, and now he’s got to lie in it.”
I nod. “That’s good news. At least we don’t have to worry about the whole family tree coming after Kendall.”
Dante looks at me curiously. “What’s going on with you two?”
“Nothing,” I say quickly. “It was just a fling, and now it’s over.”
“And the baby?” Dante asks.
“I’ll be a good father,” I say, determined. “I want to be in my child’s life, but that doesn’t mean I have to be with Kendall.”
Before Dante can answer me, the intercom buzzes.
“It’s Carlo Risi,” the tinny intercom says. “I was hoping you might have an update about my daughter?”
I blink, surprised. I didn’t know that Dante had been in contact with Kendall’s father, and suddenly I feel slightly nervous. After all, I’ve heard that Carlo Risi was a force to be reckoned with in his youth, and I’ve knocked up his daughter.
Dante instantly buzzes the man in and I follow him out into the foyer.
“You ready to meet your kid’s grandpa?” Dante asks, a teasing tone in his voice, and I snort out a nervous laugh.
Carlo Risi is an imposing man, broader and more muscular than I am with a layer of fat on his abdomen. His blue eyes pierce through me.
“Good news, Mr. Risi,” Dante says. “Camden here has brought Kendall home.”
Carlo’s eyes change instantly from discerning to bright, and he swallows visibly.
“Where is she?”
Kendall comes out of the kitchen where she’s been helping Marisa with dinner, and she sees her father and instantly runs toward him, throwing her arms around him.
Carlo holds her tightly, kissing her temple. “Carissima,” he murmurs. “I’ve been so worried.”
Kendall sniffles and pulls away, looking at her father. “It’s been so hard,” she admits, crying.
“You’ve been through so much,” Carlo says. “Damn Marco Barone and his-”
Kendall cuts him off. “Don’t, Papa. It’s not important. What’s important is that I’m safe.”
Carlo sighs. “You’re right.” He looks over at Dante and me. “You’re safe due to these two men.” He nods at us. “I’m forever grateful.”
I feel a pang of guilt, thinking that he wouldn’t be nearly as grateful if he knew that I knocked up his daughter, but I keep my mouth shut.
Kendall and Carlo talk for a bit and keep close to each other before Kendall glances over at me and asks to be excused. She says she’s still not feeling well.
“Dinner will be ready in half an hour,” she says. “We’ll meet back up then.”
Carlo reluctantly lets go of her hand and Kendall ascends the stairs. I watch her with a frown.
“Would you like a drink. Mr. Risi?” Dante asks politely, and Carlo waves a hand dismissively.
“Call me Carlo,” he says. “And I’d love a drink.”
Dante, Carlo, and I go into Dante’s office for another drink. My head is spinning slightly already from the expensive scotch I’ve already consumed, and so I sip mine carefully.
“Camden, is it?” Carlo asks.
I nod. “That’s me.”
“You’ve been keeping my carissima safe all this time,” he says. “I don’t know how to repay you.”
“There’s no need,” I say quickly. “Kendall needed my help, and since my sister was the cause of it, I definitely don’t need repayment.”
Carlo hums. “Elora is a bit of a hellraiser, but there’s no reason that Marco should have gone off like that. He’s a loose cannon and he’s needed to be dealt with for a long time.”
Dante nods, agreeing. “He’s always been like this; he’s just never gone this far.”
“I used to be a bit of a loose cannon myself,” Carlo jokes, gulping his scotch. “Until I had Kendall and lost my wife.”
I look at him curiously. “What happened to her, if you don’t mind me asking?”