Page 30 of Undeniable

“Wish I was.”

I curse under my breath before I run a hand down my face. “Okay. Well in that search did you happen to find out where the poisonous fucks have been all these years?”

“Nope. I am looking into possibilities but as of now I got nothing.”

“Well, aren’t you super fucking helpful today.”

“Hey! Don’t get pissy with me. I get it man, I do. We will find them.”

I let out a haggard breath and shake my head. “We better,” I snap.

I hang up before he can say more and punch the steering wheel in an attempt to release the rage brewing inside me.Motherfucking Chernoff.

Pulling up to my house, I kill the engine and lean my head against the head rest. I seriously do not need this shit. I have been trying to put everything behind me, especially lately. I know that the anger and guilt that I hold from everything that happened isn’t good for me or Alessandro, but it is so fucking hard to let it go.

I step out of the car and stride up to the door, opening and shutting it before I begin to loosen my tie as I make my way through the house. I hear loud giggling coming from the living room and peek around the corner to see Tasha tickling Alessandro and blowing raspberries on his neck. He looks downright glee filled as he giggles and squirms with delight.

I watch them for a little while longer before I make my presence known and step further into the room. Tasha looks up and notices me watching them. Her smile quickly fades and that impassive mask that she seems to wear so well falls right back into place.

“I didn’t hear you come in,” she says evenly, staying frozen in her place, too far away for my liking.

I casually walk closer to them, doing my best to appear nonchalant but feeling eager to be near her. She doesn’t move a muscle as she watches me carefully. We have done this a lot lately. Me staring at her, waiting for her to break, to cuss me out, to hit me or…something. But she is like a statue. She is strong and clearly stubborn. She will never cave first, why should she? I am the one that fucked up. I pushed her away first. I just didn’t realize how bad it would hurt or how much I would regret it.

“Hey buddy,” I say, breaking Tasha and my stare off as I turn to my son. “How was your day?”

“Good,” he smiles.

I nod and give him a small one in return. “Well, I was thinking about going out for dinner. What are you in the mood for?”

He taps his finger to his chin thoughtfully before he tries to snap his fingers.

“Pizza!”

I laugh softly and shake my head. This boy is Italian through and through. All he ever wants is Pizza or Pasta.

“Alright. Alberto’s?” I suggest.

He smiles excitedly before he looks over to Tasha. “Can Tasha come too?”

Tasha’s eyes widen slightly before they flick over to me. I am a little caught off guard by Alessandro’s request for a moment before I give him a strained smile.

“I am sure she has plans buddy.”

“No, she doesn’t. All she does is play with me all day and eat junk food on her couch bed at night,” Alessandro says with an earnest look on his face. I smother the laugh that is building in me as Tasha sends him a scathing look.

“Way to spill my secrets dude,” she playfully scolds before turning to me. “It’s alright. You two enjoy.”

Her rejection stings and it is unfortunately a sting that I haven’t been able to get used to yet. I should have by now with all the conversations snubbed, looks ignored and shrug off’s I have gotten.

“Pleasssse,” Alessandro begs with the biggest puppy dog eyes I have ever seen aimed right at her.

I see her resolve wavering slightly for him and when he hugs her leg tightly, I know she is a goner. She sends me a complicated look that I am not sure how to interpret. Her eyes burrow deep into mine and she must find what she is looking for, because she lets out a rough sigh and nods softly.

Alessandro cheers in celebration and I have to stop myself from doing the same. It isnt much, and it is obviously not forgiveness that I see in her eyes, but when she looks at me, I don’t see quite as much contempt, and that is a start.

We get Alessandro loaded into my car and I make sure to open Tasha’s door for her before she can get it, because my mama raised me right. She looked like it pained her to do it, but she did give me a soft thank you before she slid into the car. After a quick 15-minute drive to Alberto’s Pizza & Pasta we are sitting down in the dimly lit restaurant.

The décor is severely dated but Alberto is one of those men who hates change. The same old faded checkered tablecloths cover each table while red cracked leather booths line the walls. Luca and I have tried to convince Alberto to make upgrades, since it is in our best interest as investors, but he refuses us every time. If he wasn’t a dear friend of Luca’s late father, I am sure that Luca would push harder but instead he shakes his head disapprovingly every time we come in before leaving without another word.

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