His secret sin, p.12
His Secret Sin, page 12
She nibbled her lip. “Okay, fine. Fine. It’s no problem.”
“I know it’s no problem. I’ll see you soon, sweetie. We can catch up.” He hung up.
“What is it?”
“My dad is heading to my place. I need to get home.”
“What do you mean he’s heading to your place?” Diego asked.
“I haven’t called him, and he started to get worried. Shit. I’m so sorry.”
“You’ve got nothing to be sorry about. We’ll head out now.” He stood up, and she lifted. His hands on her hips stopped her.
“No. You sit. You’ve already destroyed another lamp yesterday. Let’s keep the damage to a minimum.”
“What about my face? The bruises. He’s going to call the cops on you and think you’re beating me up.”
Diego cupped her face. “You need to stop panicking.”
“I can’t.”
“We’ll deal with everything when we get there. Just sit, stop stressing about something that may never happen, and let me take care of the rest.”
She sat back down again, listening to Diego as he began to make some calls. This was good. She’d not hugged her dad in a long time, or been able to take him out to dinner. Also, he would get to see Diego.
Was it too soon for her boyfriend and father to meet?
This was the first time she had ever taken a boy home.
This was crazy.
She didn’t know how much time had passed before Diego came back. He took her hand and led her out of the house. He eased her into the car and strapped her in.
“You know I can do that?”
“Yep, but I don’t care. I like doing it.” The back of his hand brushed across her breasts. “For that very reason.”
“How far are we away from my place?” she asked.
“Not too far.”
She didn’t press for more information. She knew she probably should but right now, she was really trying not to freak out. Her father was coming to see her. This was the first time he’d flown out to her. She’d have to explain what happened with Melanie and for him to stop contacting her. Nothing good would ever come of it.
“What do we tell him about my bruises?” she asked.
“The truth. You had an argument with Melanie, and she left you there.”
“She didn’t really leave me there. I didn’t want her help.” Why would she want anyone’s help after what she did? She didn’t make a habit of forcing people to be around her.
“Come on, stop worrying. You still had an argument, and rather than see you to safety, Melanie left you high and dry. You were taken. I saved you. The end.”
“He’s going to want to talk to the cops. This is such a mess.”
“I’ll handle everything. You have nothing to worry about.”
“It’s easy for you to say. Your dad isn’t like a war machine when he thinks his little girl is in danger.”
“I’ll prove to him that I’ve got everything under control, and believe me, I do.”
She did believe him. If anyone had it all together it was Diego.
Forcing herself to relax, which was next to impossible, she listened to the world going by. Before her accident that claimed her sight, she had loved watching the world pass in a blur. There was something about driving, where everything sped up that always caught her attention. She remembered sitting in the back of the car, going nearly dizzy as she moved her head with each passing tree.
She did miss those moments.
Still, she remembered them so vividly.
The car came to a stop.
“Are we here?”
“Yeah, we’re here.”
“Oh, that really wasn’t far at all.”
“Richard is the kind of guy that likes his protection no matter what.” Diego unclipped his seatbelt before doing hers. She didn’t open the car door. She had done that once many months ago and hit someone who was walking past.
Diego opened the door, and they made their way up to her apartment together.
Once inside, he still took control, ushering her toward the bathroom. She didn’t put up a fight. They stepped under her small space, and she wanted nothing more than to explore him, but with her father coming, there was no time. Diego washed her body, then her hair, before doing his. He moved her out of the way of the water, and before she could climb out, he was already doing it, drying himself and then her.
His hands didn’t linger as he touched her.
Next, they were in her bedroom, and he was helping her into a dress.
“Why a dress?”
“It looks lovely, and we don’t have a clue when your dad is going to arrive. What should I order?”
“Pizza will be good, I think?” She really wasn’t thinking clearly right now.
“Calm down. You have this. We have this.”
“What if he doesn’t like you?” she asked.
He chuckled. “The odds are, he’s not going to like me. No dad in the world would ever like a man with their daughter. It’s just the way it is. There’s nothing I can do about it.”
She sighed. “You’re right. He pretty much hates you on principle, right?”
“You’re his daughter, baby. He’s not going to want to know that you’re sleeping with me, or that his little girl is enjoying sex.”
“Do you know this from experience?”
“No. I don’t have any kids. I just know that if it was my daughter, they’re going to be fucked.”
She burst out laughing. “They are?”
“Yes.” He kissed her head. “I’m going to get dressed.”
He stepped away from her, but she didn’t immediately leave the room. “You want kids?”
“Yes.”
“Oh.”
“Do you?” he asked.
“I’m honestly not sure.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know if I can have kids or if it would be responsible for me to have them.”
“Do you want kids?”
“I think so. I mean, if I could, then yes.”
“Then one day we’re going to have kids,” he said.
This made her heart leap. “We are?”
“Yes, we’re going to have kids, and you’re not going to stress or worry about taking care of them.”
“I’d want to be there for my kids.”
“And you will be. For our kids. I’ll just make sure there is help. You need to understand, Belle. Where there is a will, there is always going to be a way, and, being the kind of guy I am, I’m going to always find it.” He cupped her face, startling her. “Now, I’m just going to finish getting dressed, and then we’re going to meet your father.”
She nodded.
Diego had this magical away about him that always calmed her down. She hoped her father loved him, just like she did.
Hold on.
No.
She cared about Diego. Caring was different from love. She knew it was different. She didn’t love him. It was way too soon to even think about that.
Pushing love and her feelings to one side, she listened to Diego as he changed. She didn’t know how long he was from being done when her door was knocked at.
“It’s showtime, baby. Don’t worry about anything, okay?”
“You’re right. I won’t. I won’t.”
****
Belle wasn’t good at hiding her nerves.
Diego stood behind her as she opened the door to her father.
“Pumpkin,” he said, rushing into the room to hold her. Diego didn’t like anyone touching her and certainly not her father. Still, he didn’t set off a bad impression as he watched the two interact.
“Dad, I’d like you to meet someone—”
“What happened to your face?” he asked.
“Dad, we’ll get to that. I’d really like you to meet—”
“Did you do this to my daughter, you fucking bastard?”
“Dad!”
“I’ve never raised a hand to your daughter,” he said, finally speaking up.
“Dad, please, don’t jump to conclusions. I’m fine. Diego would never hurt me.” She stepped toward him, and Diego took her hand so she didn’t bump into anything.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
“Diego?”
“Dad, I’d like you to meet Diego Leoni. My boyfriend.”
Her cheeks went a beautiful pink as she said the last part.
“Your boyfriend who is not responsible for the bruises on your face.”
“He’s not. I promise you. He’s the one that came to save me. He would never hurt me.”
“I would never hurt her,” he said.
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
Daddy didn’t like him, not that Diego was surprised. Her father had already done his appraisal of him, and even if Diego was an upstanding citizen, earning billions in legit business, this man still wouldn’t like him. Not that he had a problem with being this man’s enemy. He wasn’t giving Belle up. She belonged to him, and he was already working on the ways in order to keep her safe and in his life.
Selfish bastard that he was, he wanted it all.
He was going to get it as well.
“Dad, please, I don’t want you to argue or to get into a fight. Let me tell you what happened. Diego is going to order pizza.”
“You said your name was Leoni?” her father asked.
“Yes.”
“Dad’s name is James. James Johnson.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.” He held his hand out, very much aware that he wasn’t much younger than the man in front of him. There were probably a couple of years that separated them, but that was about it. “I’ll go and order that pizza,” Diego said, making sure to kiss her temple before handing her back to her capable father, who was shooting daggers at him.
He grabbed his cell phone and moved to the kitchen, keeping them in his sights. James helped Belle sit down on the sofa, and he saw the other man wasn’t happy with her at all, or with this current situation. When he finished ordering food, he moved toward them, taking a seat behind Belle as he did so. He wasn’t going to create distance here, or give James any ammunition if he thought for even a second he could get rid of him. That shit wasn’t happening. Not on his watch.
“So, how did you two meet?” James asked.
“I’ll let Belle tell you.”
He took her hand, locking their fingers together, and James stared down at their hands, again, not looking any the happier about it.
“So I’ve got Melanie to thank for a lot of things.”
“Don’t be angry with her, Dad. I’m really happy. Honestly. Diego is a good guy.”
If looks could kill, Diego would be dead, so dead.
Another knock on the door, and Diego left to answer. Pulling out some money, he shoved it into the kid’s hand, bringing in the pizza. He was getting hungry, and sensed a confrontation coming from her father.
James wouldn’t do it in front of his daughter, but it was there, lingering around him like a fucking aura waiting to explode.
He ate his pizza, and Diego listened to them catch up. Belle didn’t have a spare bedroom for her father, so he had to book a hotel room.
“I’m going to call a cab,” James said, as it was getting late.
For a family visit, no one had died, and Diego considered that a plus.
“Nonsense. Diego, you’ll drive my dad to his hotel, right?”
“Yes. I’ve got no problem with that.” It would give them a chance to talk without her worrying, and if Diego had to shoot him and get rid of the body, he could also do that without getting caught as well.
“I wouldn’t want to be a burden,” James said.
“No burden,” Diego said. “You’re going to be okay until I get back?”
“More than okay. This is my apartment. I know it by heart.”
He took possession of her mouth before turning his attention to her father. Again, if looks had anything to do with his living, he’d be dead. He’d died a lot in this apartment just from James.
Taking the man’s bags, they left her apartment, and he locked it from the outside so he would be sure she was safe.
He sent off a quick text to Richard to keep an extra eye on her. He didn’t like leaving her, not even to help her father.
Richard responded with a thumbs up, and it was all he was going to get, so he took it.
Riding the elevator down to the ground floor, he left the apartment block, keeping an eye out for anyone nearby who might be acting suspicious. When he saw no one, he nodded for James to follow him. The older man did, and Diego shoved his suitcase into the back of the car. He spotted two of his men, waiting close by. To anyone looking, they were just two men reading a paper, but he knew who they were.
Climbing behind the wheel, he started the car as James got in. Neither of them had spoken to each other, and he ignored the tension brewing in the car.
He pulled out of the parking lot, which was behind the building. There was some parking at the front, but it was always full.
The moment they cleared the parking lot and joined traffic, James started talking.
“You need to stop seeing my daughter.”
“Not happening.”
“You think I don’t know who you are, what it is you do?”
Diego smiled. “And what is it exactly you think I do?”
“Your family has been linked to the mafia. You’ve also been described as the capo of this city. You lost your first wife many years ago, and now you’re getting married to your second. The one that’s not my daughter. There was an announcement in the paper yesterday. My daughter doesn’t like to read the news. She never did, but I fucking know who you are. You think you can take advantage of my girl?”
“I’m not taking advantage of Belle. I care about her.”
“You’re still getting married to another woman. You think Belle will like that? Being the mistress? The other woman?”
“She’s not the other woman.”
“She will be the moment you marry. Scrap that, she was the other woman the moment you were engaged to someone else.”
“Charlotte is business, old man. You’ve got no right to meddle with this.”
“Belle is my daughter. I love her very much, and she wanted her independence. I knew letting Melanie take care of her was a big mistake. I never liked that girl, but she’d never steered Belle wrong, until now.”
“Your idea of taking care of her is laughable. She pulled Belle into my club not once but twice, and on both occasions, I took care of her.”
“You had to.”
“No, I didn’t. I don’t have to take care of anyone or anything. Belle, I took care of her because I wanted to.”
“The life you live, Diego, it is not good for her. Look at her face.”
“I’m not even responsible for that.” Diego was losing control of this conversation, and it pissed him off. His name had been printed many times. If they couldn’t get to the press in time, they always passed the stories off as rumors, and hatred. Or the person writing the articles would be discovered to be an addict of some kind, and their storylines would never be remembered as truth but as the babbling writings of an addict waiting to get his next fix. “I’m not letting her go.”
“You’ve got to tell her the truth.”
“I don’t have to do anything. Belle is mine, and if you want to stay a part of her life, you’ll let me handle everything.”
He glanced over at her father.
“Listen here, Diego. I don’t give a flying fuck who you think you are or who you’re connected to. You will tell my daughter exactly who you are, that you’re getting married, and you will let me take her home with me. This is not an agreement. This is a fucking promise.”
“Yeah, and why would I listen to you?” Diego laughed.
“Because if you loved her even a little bit, you’d let her go rather than hurt her. If my daughter is just a passing fancy for you, you won’t care about her a year from now. I’m doing what is best for her.”
“You know I could kill you right now. Tell her it was an accident.”
“You’re not going to do that,” James said.
“Why not?”
“You think I didn’t see the way you looked at her. How patient you are? I’ve been with Belle since the very beginning. When she was a baby. I remember her running around the neighborhood, screaming and laughing, and doing all the kinds of things kids do. Then the accident, and her sight was gone, vanished. I watched her struggle. I’ve seen her fight for everything, and I admire her for it. She has a spirit and a passion that I will never take away from her. When you look at her, you see her. You don’t see that she’s blind. You don’t see that she’s a burden. You see her, and I know you see an amazing woman. It’s probably why you’ve broken every single rule you have. I don’t know you, Diego. I know men like you. She has gotten you under her spell, and what is more, Belle doesn’t even have a clue she’s casting it. This is all new for her.”
If it was anyone else, he would have killed them by now.
Just to keep The Boss safe, he should kill James.
The only problem? James was Belle’s father, and what he was saying was right. He couldn’t keep her as he would only break her heart more. He knew it, and he fucking hated it with every fiber of his being.
Keeping Belle to himself was the most selfish thing he’d done, but letting her go, he couldn’t even think it, let alone do it.
“I’ve got to have some more time with her,” Diego said. “Please.”
“Did you even realize you were in love with her?”
Diego said nothing, simply staring at her father. He hated this fucker so much. There wasn’t even a good reason as to why he felt this way, but he did. Especially in this moment. With Richard he didn’t have to listen to his not-friend. With James, he was her father, and if anyone was going to take care of her better than him, it would be James.
“I need more time.”
“You’ve got to the end of the week. Then I’m taking her home. I suggest you use that time wisely.”
James got out of the car. He’d brought it to a stop outside the hotel. Diego waited as he got a key and disappeared inside his room before pulling away. He drove back to Belle’s apartment with an overwhelming need to see her.
