Page 66 of Merciless Monster

“Yeah.”

The gate opens slowly. It seems to take forever. She’s standing at the door when I get there.

“Hey, you. This is a nice surprise. What are you…”

“We need to talk, Gina!” I bark.

“What’s wrong? Come inside.”

“How could you lie to me, Gina? How?!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Dante! Why didn’t you tell me the truth about him?”

“Oh. I see. He told you.”

“Yes, he bloody told me. What I want to know is, why didn’t you?”

“I’m sorry, Mia. It wasn’t my place to tell you.”

“Are you fucking serious, Gina? You’re my best friend. I specifically asked you about him. You lied to me!”

“Okay, this isn’t getting us anywhere. Come on, sit down. I’m getting us a drink.”

Gina disappears into the kitchen and comes back with a bottle of wine. She opens it and pours out two glasses.

“Here, drink this.”

“I don't think that wine is the answer to this particular problem. It’s not going to help.”

“No, but it will help me.”

“Why didn’t you say anything, Gina?” I ask once I’ve calmed down a little.

“When you first spent the night with him, I thought it was sweet. You were so excited about it. Who was I to rain on your parade? Later, when you told me you were pregnant with his child, I didn’t know what to say. You were so determined to raise Angelo on your own, I didn;t see a reason to tell you.”

“And when he appeared on the scene six months ago?”

“At first, I thought it was another fling. I was sure Dante would go back to Italy and that would be it. How was I to know that the two of you would fall in love?”

“Damn it! I can’t believe this. And it was going so well.”

“He loves you, Mia. And he’s Angelo’s father. Give him a chance. Dante will move heaven and earth for you. He’ll keep you safe.”

“Sure. Like he kept himself safe.”

“Things are different now that he knows he has a son and a woman who loves him. He’ll take less chances.”

“I hope so, Gina. I hope so.”

15

DANTE

“Please, Mia. Come with me.”

“Not yet, Dante. I need time to think about all of this. What you’re asking of me is no small thing. This is another life changing decision. I don’t want to do the wrong thing for my son. Please don’t rush me.”

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