Finding Beauty in the Darkness

“If he’s in this business, he’s not a fucking child, and the moment he plotted against Aria and took her, handing her over to Weston, you brought him into this business, so teach your son how this business works before he gets himself killed. Now get him the fuck out of here while we discuss these shares.”

Anthony sends Antonio out, but the guards remain in the back. We sit at the table to discuss the selling of my shares, but if I’m honest, I’m not sure what is said. Numbers are flown out every which way, Gio threatens to call his attorney, Anthony tells him that won’t be necessary, and about an hour later they’re shaking hands and Gio’s telling Anthony he expects a contract to be sent over in the next forty-eight hours.

When we got done with the meeting, Gio tells me we have a few hours before we have to be back at the airport and pulls my camera out from his bag. “How about some sightseeing?”

I jump up and down and pull him into a hug, ecstatic that I’ll get to see some of New York. “Thank you! Thank you!” I clap my hands before grabbing my camera from him. “What should we see first?”

We spend the afternoon sightseeing. Gio takes me through Central Park where I snap pictures of the Shakespearean Theatre from the Belvedere Castle. From there we go to the Empire State building. I insist we take a selfie at the top and Gio reluctantly agrees. We have a late dinner in Times Square, and before heading back to the airport, we stop by the nine-eleven memorial pools. I take the most heartbreaking photo of the names that are engraved around the edges, of the people who lost their life on that horrific day. One name hits me hard because directly underneath, it reads, “And unborn baby.”

* * *

We’re back on the plane and heading to Las Vegas. I’m exhausted on so many levels but at the same time I’ve had such a wonderful afternoon, it felt like it counteracted all the bad shit. “Thank you for today.”

“No problem. Once the contract arrives, we’ll go over it before you sign anything.”

“No, I mean, yes, thank you for that, but also thank you for the sightseeing. One day I’ll travel all over the world capturing places like New York.”

“You most definitely will, Aria.” He leans over and gives me a chaste kiss on my temple before settling down to work.

Chapter Seventeen

GIOVANNI

It’s been almost a week since Aria’s and my trip to New York. I received the contract in the mail within forty-eight hours, but I wanted to speak with the attorney before making any final decisions. Aria offered to get her own attorney since she’s on her I’m Miss independent kick, but I explained the less who know about this the better and my attorney knows how to deal with situations such as this. She then offered to pay, but I refused to let her. At first, Angelo’s attorney was reluctant to speak with me, but once I explained who I was and Aria’s situation, he agreed to meet with us. He was in Texas for a business meeting, so he said he’d fly over to meet with us in person.

“Boss, there’s a Mr. Cohen here to see you,” Edgardo announces.

“Thank you, you can see him back and can you let Aria know to come back as well?”

“You got it.”

Mark Cohen steps into my office first. We shake hands and have a seat. A few minutes later, Aria comes back. She’s dressed beautifully. In a pale pink wrap around dress and nude heels. Her makeup and hair are both done. She must be going somewhere, maybe on a date with a member. The thought is like a punch to my chest.

“Aria, please have a seat,” I choke out. “This is Mr. Cohen. He was your father’s attorney.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Cohen.” She smiles softly and shakes his hand before having a seat next to him.

“Please call me Mark. I knew your father for many years. I’m so sorry for what has happened. When he passed away, I contacted your mom and she assured me she would go through the specifics of his will with you. When she passed away, your stepfather contacted me. He told me he was taking care of you and asked for the trust to be released to you early. I explained to him that I couldn’t do that.

“Had I known Mr. Hightower had ill-intentions, I would have contacted you myself. When your dad contacted your mom years ago, she felt twenty-two would be a good age for you to receive your inheritance God forbid something happen to him before then, and I explained that to Mr. Hightower. He wasn’t pleased but had no choice but to agree.”