Page 83 of Second Chance Daddy

Somewhere in my heart, a spark lights up. She’s not mad. Thank the gods she’s not mad.

“That’s not all,” I muster up the courage for the truth at last.

“She’s not his. She’s not Gino’s.”

Tina goes still beside me. So still I can feel the shift in the air between us.

“What?” Tina’s jaw drops open.

I keep going, voice cracking under the weight of it. “I panicked, Tina. You were my best friend. His sister. I thought you’d hateme, and Dante was gone, so what was the point? And with Gino still hovering, even after the divorce…” I close my eyes, the memory like a blade. “I told everyone the baby was his. It was easier than the truth.”

The room spins. My stomach’s in my throat. My heart’s somewhere under my heel, flattened beyond recognition.

Tina’s quiet. Too quiet.

I risk a glance up. Her arms are still crossed, but her eyes… they’re softer than they should be.

“You really thought I’d hate you?”

I nod, shame creeping up my throat.

Tina sighs, shaking her head. “You’re a dumbass.”

That shocks a laugh out of me—a weak, broken sound.

“You’re also my dumbass,” she adds. “And look, I wanna be pissed. But I can’t.” She leans forward, expression fierce. “You think I didn’t notice how Dante looked at you back then? Or how wrecked he was after that one night?”

Tears sting my eyes.

“I should’ve told you.” My voice splinters. “I ruined everything. I hate myself for lying. For putting her in this position?—”

Tina grabs my hand, squeezing so tight my fingers ache.

“Stop.” Her tone drops, low, lethal, and protective. “Dante will bring her back.”

I shake my head, shoulders trembling. “You don’t know that?—”

“Yes,” she bites out. “I do. He’s a psycho when it comes to people he loves. He’ll tear the city apart brick by brick if that’s what it takes.”

A sob lodges in my throat.

“Family protects family,” Tina says, her grip tightening. “And you’re family, whether you like it or not.”

The words barely have time to settle before the door flies open. One of the guards rushes in, pale, panting.

“We just got a call.” His voice shakes. “Your daughter’s alive. But?—”

I bolt to my feet. “But what?”

His jaw clenches. His next words slice the air clean open.

“He wants to trade.”

25

DANTE

The terms are a fucking insult.