“You’re going to make a mistake with this, Richard. Get the men and be prepared.”
“Go on your date. The dad already wants you gone. You’re holding on by a thread. Take my advice and go and spend tonight with her. We can handle this in the morning when you’re not completely stressing out about your wedding.”
“How do you know about all that?” Diego asked.
“I’ve made it my business to know everything. I want Angelo dealt with. I want him gone. He’s a toxin. A poison that shouldn’t see the light of day, but when he’s handled, your family and Boss will thank you for it.”
Diego didn’t agree. He knew Angelo. Had known him his entire life, and knew the little shit was up to something.
He couldn’t convince Richard, and there was no way he could go to his father. The rivalry between them had been there since birth. He couldn’t risk his capo title.
Leaving Richard’s office, he made his way back to his car, with the intention of staying the night with Belle.
Chapter Eleven
A few hours later, Diego grimaced as he looked toward the stage. James was laughing, and Belle looked way too happy with herself.
“Karaoke?”
“Yes, isn’t it great? I bet you haven’t done anything like this before.”
“Karaoke?” He looked around the bar. It was dark with a single light shining on the stage.
“You don’t like it?”
“I’m going to go and find us a seat,” James said.
“I love it.”
“You’re lying now,” Belle said. “You really don’t like to sing?”
“I can’t sing, Belle. I don’t do this kind of thing. It’s fucking stupid.”
“Wow, that is a huge leap from not liking it. Is there something I don’t know about?” she asked.
“Yeah, I don’t believe in getting up on stage and looking fucking stupid for people’s amusement.” He also didn’t want to be on a date with James.
“Oh, well, I kind of put our names forward to sing. I’m going to head up onto the stage.”
“Belle?” He held her close as he noticed someone come in close.
“I’m a regular here, Diego. Don’t worry about it. Just sit back. Have a few drinks. I’ll sing, and then we can leave.”
Now he felt like a prick for upsetting her.
He watched the other man, who was the barman, walking her toward the stage. There was a seat, and he didn’t like that someone else was helping her.
He found James in a small booth. He sat opposite the man who hated him.
“You could have handled that a lot better,” James said.
“I didn’t know she likes to sing.”
“And she doesn’t know you’re part of a crime ring. I’d say you’re even.”
“I’m not part of a crime ring.”
“Fine, mafia ring.”
“You know, talking about it aloud can get you killed.”
“I’ve had worse, believe me. I’m sure there’s nothing you or your cronies could do to me.”
“I wouldn’t make offers like that. You’d be surprised.”
“Watching your daughter go blind because of a driving accident, if that’s not torture, then how about seeing the woman you love more than anything die before you? Only this isn’t a bullet to the head. This is a disease eating her away bit by bit until there is nothing left. That is torture, and I’ve seen that.”
“Belle’s mother.”
“Yep. I watched her die. I watched the vibrant, energetic woman slowly fade away until she was nothing more than a corpse. If you can still get up after that, then you can take on anything.”
The person on stage finished their song, and Diego waited as Belle was moved onto the stage.
She looked a little sad, and he knew he was the one to put her in this mood.
“You know, Belle reminds me so much of her mother. They were both always so happy, so in love with life. Even Belle, no matter what difficulties she faces, she will always come out on top.”
“I was drawn to her the moment I saw her,” Diego admitted. It was hard for him to admit how quickly he fell for her, but she had worked her way into his heart. The moment she started singing though, her talent shone through.
She could play instruments like a pro, and was absolutely stunning. He could listen to her play all day, but her singing, now that was something else entirely.
The passion in her voice filled the entire room. The flow of her voice enraptured him, taking him completely by surprise.
He loved this woman more than anyone else in the entire world.
“I know my life is not for her. I know it holds a lot of pain and death, but I can’t let her go.” He looked toward James. “I know you want me to. I can’t do it.”
“You’re not going to give her the life she deserves. She will always be the other woman.” James shook his head. “I’m going to tell her the truth, and when she finds out from me, and not from you, it’ll break her heart.”