Page 165 of Dark Angel
“I’ll call him. What else can I do?”
“You can do the honorable thing and marry our daughter.”
What the hell?
Silence.
“Cecelia’s broken up about Angelo,” Mr. Moretti continued. “We all are. If you marry her, you do right by us and honor Angelo’s memory.”
Now wasn’t the time to tell him he’d fallen in love with someone else. Now wasn’t the time to refuse him either.
“That’s the most important decision of a person’s life,” he said. “A partner to go through life with.”
“She’s been in love with you for years, G. Give her a chance. Cecelia’s a wonderful girl.”
He had to be honest. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have feelings for her.”
“Maybe they would develop over time,” Mr. Moretti pushed. “You asked. I told you. Nothing will bring our Angelo back, but marrying Cece would make us all happy. I’ll text you her number. Take her to dinner at your restaurant. Have a conversation with her, you know, get to know her.”
Gabriel’s phone buzzed with a text from the pilot.
Ready
“I’ll give it some thought,” Gabriel said to Mr. Moretti.
“Swing by for dinner tonight, G.”
“I’m flying back to Italy.”
“Invite Cece to dinner when you return.”
Gabriel made no promise before he ended the call, then powered through the terminal.
Mi dispiace, Angelo. Non sposerò tua sorella. Non la amo. I’m sorry, Angelo. I won't marry your sister. I don't love her.
After boarding the Santini jet, the flight attendant greeted him with a warm smile.
“Welcome back, Mr. Santini. I haven’t flown with you in a few years. How’ve you been?”
“Never fucking better,” Gabriel bit out as he eased into the plush, white leather seat.
He made another call to the funeral home, spoke with the director. “How can I pay you?”
“Through the website portal, and there’s a line for tipping, if you want to add a little extra.”
“Of course.” Everyone wanted something from him.
Everyone except Halston. She didn’t want a thingfromhim. She just wantedhim.
After he paid for the funeral services and left an over-the-top tip for the director and his staff, he texted Halston.
I miss you. Next time, you’re coming with me
No response.
The flight attendant walked over. “Please buckle your seatbelt.”
As he did, she sat across from him, facing him, instead of returning to her seat behind the cockpit.
