chapter seven
Friends or Foes
Bobby
“Are you sure about this?” I breathe into the phone, stunned.
“Yeah, I’m just as shocked as you are,” Felix replies. “I mean I don’t know why I’m surprised. She’s the only one I know that could pull something like this off and not get caught. She had me and almost tripped Nellie up. The woman is amazing. The two of them have me feeling inferior at the moment.”
“But why,” I furrow my brows as I look over the email Felix Black sent me.
“No fucking clue, Bro. Wyatt’s pissed,” he replies.
“Yeah, he’s not the only one. If Nick knows about this shit…,” I pause and shake my head to myself. I don’t understand why the hell Sephora Lincoln would do this.
“She’s tight with Ry. He wants to talk to her,” Felix suggests.
“No, I don’t want anyone to do anything. I’ll get to the bottom of this. Listen, my brother is fucked up at the moment. He doesn’t need to know about this yet,” I sigh. “Let me handle it.”
“You sure, Lincoln and Sophi are right here. We can find out what the hell is going on in no time,” Felix offers.
“This is a sticky situation. I’d prefer to handle it,” I reply.
Felix laughs. “Always the fixer. I get it. Well, I’m here if you need me. Same for everyone else. As I said, Nellie is just as good as Sephora. I would love to see them go head to head.”
“I’ll be in touch. I’m going to get to the bottom of this,” I grumble.
I hang up the phone and stare out of my office window. So much isn’t adding up. I’m starting to believe Ellen didn’t have anything to do with the divorce papers, but I won’t tell that to Sam. He has enough on his plate. He is trusting me to figure this out and that’s just what I’ll do.
“You’re going to need to talk to me sooner or later,” my wife’s voice pulls me back into the room.
I turn my head to find her standing in the middle of my office. She looks sexy as hell in a simple navy sheath dress and black heels. The a-symmetrical neckline calls attention to her delicate collarbone.
Her sever bun is back in place, gone are the layers I’ve become so fond of running my fingers through. It causes me to realize it’s been far too long since my wife has been able to let her hair down. The firm is busy, which is great, but it is showing.
“We talk all the time,” I reply.
Paige narrows her eyes just as I knew she would. I turn fully and shove my hands in my pants pockets. I know Paige is going to watch my every move to read what she wants from me.
“Bobby, let me remind you that I’m no fool. I’m watching you. I see the changes. I see the moves Camille has been making. I was supposed to be her remember. Your dad was grooming me for something in particular,” Paige crosses her arms over her chest. “MatteoBobby Locatelli, play with someone that doesn’t pay attention.”
I tilt my head at my wife and sigh. “Where have you heard that name?” I ask slowly.
“A few years back your father asked me to draw up a contract for a partnership for some club in Italy. I didn’t work on the details of the club. James said he would handle that part with a liaison from Italy. I did, however, list all parties involved.
“I thought little of it at the time. However, three names stood out in my head and I banked them for later. Matteo Bobby Locatelli, LaSalle Samuel Locatelli, and Alessandro Marcucio Locatelli.
“Bobby just because I don’t say anything, doesn’t mean I don’t know things. So, what’s up? Let me help you,” Paige says, as she walks over to me and stop right before me.
“The less you know the better. Those names are best left unsaid. Are things changing? —yes. Should you worry? —no. I have some things I need to get to the bottom of, but everything is fine,” I reply pulling one hand from my pocket to cup her face.
Paige searches my face for a long moment. “Don’t underestimate what I will do for you and our family,” Paige says, causing my heart to swell with more love than I can handle.
I love this woman with my soul. She knows just how to be there for me. When to push and when not to push. I almost tell her everything; my concerns, my burdens of what’s to come, my changing role.
I feel like my life is taking a turn I never asked for. It’s like I’m watching it happen from outside my body. We always thought Sam was the only one being groomed for the other family business. Lately, I’m getting the feeling that’s not so true.
“I will never underestimate you, just as I know you won’t underestimate me,” I respond.
Paige nods. “Go handle your business. I’m meeting Cam to help out with the arrangements.”
“I love you,” I dip my head to deliver a searing kiss. I couldn’t even imagine what my brother must be going through. I kiss my wife as if it’s the last time I’ll ever get to.
“I love you too,” she purrs when I finally break the kiss. “If you won’t let me in, at least stop leaving Nate out.”
I wink at her. Leave it to my wife to pick at the heart of my thoughts. It’s only a matter of time before we’re all involved.