I considered phoning her for the entire drive to Atlantic Beach the next morning. I even picked up the phone and let my thumb hover over her name a few times. There was no point. Not enough time had passed. Paige couldn’t have gone to bed hating my guts and woken up realizing she had it all wrong.

I didn’t blame her. All the apologies in the world couldn’t prove to her I wasn’t an asshole. Only one thing could prove what I thought about her. I had to get her out of this arranged marriage bullshit. Even if she didn’t let me off the hook.

Taking the familiar route through the neighborhood caused a jab of pain in my chest. The weekend I spent here with Paige was better than just a good time. There may have been some confusing and painful developments, but it felt real.

This chat with Pops had to work.

Getting Dominic on board would help. He was level-headed, not quick to make decisions. Pops trusted him.

The driver got me to the house quickly. I hurried up the driveway, keeping my eyes in front of me. The prize. The end result. Releasing Paige.

Even if getting her out of this meant losing her too.

“Hello?” I yelled into the front hallway. “Pops?”

“In here,” came Dom’s answer.

I followed his voice to the living room.

Pops sat in one of the leather armchairs, one leg folded over the other. His casual demeanor contrasted with Dom’s, who paced back and forth in front of the fireplace, hands clasped behind his back.

I averted my eyes from the photograph that started the rift between me and Paige. The one that brought back her memories.

“Angelo,” Pops greeted me. “How was the drive?”

“Not bad.”

Dominic stopped pacing and looked at me. His jaw twitched.

I went over and gave our father a kiss. Settling onto the couch cushion closest to him, I waiting.

He looked across the room, gazing thoughtfully at a spot on the wall.

I couldn’t just sit there and wait. “Is Mom here?”

“She’s around somewhere.”

Dominic came to take the seat across from me.

Our father looked from him to me. “So, sons… This is an interesting situation.”

“Yes,” I agreed.

“Not too surprising.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“The Bianchi girls. It makes sense that you’d fall for one of them.”

“That’s not what this is about,” I argued.

He lifted his hand in that slight dismissive gesture of his. I shut my mouth.

“Dominic filled me in, but maybe you want to make your own case.”

I eagerly leaned forward. “There’s more than one reason we need to stop this marriage. First of all, Paige doesn’t want it. She knew nothing about this arrangement until a few weeks ago, and it’s destroying her.”

Dominic nodded. “And you’re in love with her.”

I didn’t deny it. Arguing at a time like this was like shooting myself in the foot. Maybe it would help Pops do the right thing.

“There’s more,” I said. “Something big.”

I pointed at the offending photo. “Paige saw that picture. She recognized Moretti in the photo. But she recognized him because he was there the day her parents were killed. She says that Moretti came into the apartment with the guys who gunned down the Bianchi’s.”

My father’s thick eyebrows knit together. “How did she get away? Those thugs don’t leave witnesses.”

“She hid behind a false wall in the closet.”

“I see.” His head tilted back and his eyes roved up to the ceiling. Pops made a habit of drifting off I thought for way too long, so I didn’t wait for him to continue.

“Moretti played a part in the Bianchi’s murders. He was young back then, but who knows? Maybe it was his father who ordered the hit. Paige mentioned that before the shooting started, she heard a loud argument. Maybe Moretti went there thinking he could get something out of Mr. Bianchi, and when he didn’t get what he wanted, they just finished the job to get him out of the way.”

Pops slowly nodded. “It’s possible.”

“They went against code, Dad.”

His head inclined. “They took one of mine…two. I won’t disagree.”

I couldn’t stand his coolness.

“Bianchi worked for you, Pops. He was supposed to have our protection. Moretti had no business touching him, no matter what dealings they had.”

“Yes.”

His dark eyes flicked over to Dominic, who had settled down, but still pensively leaned forward in his chair. “I still can’t figure out how you got your brother convinced to bring this to me. I’m impressed. But son, I can’t help.”

“What?”

“I understand that you care for Paige. I also don’t like that Moretti wants to go through with something this old school. This isn’t Sicily or any part of Italy. This is America. But a deal is a deal. And her life won’t be so bad. She’ll be well taken care of, and won’t have to work another day in her life.”

“That’s not the point! Paige isn’t like that. She’s not looking for anything from anyone.”

“Watch your tone, son,” Pops warned.

“Sorry, Pops, but this should be clear-cut. Moretti wronged us. He needs to pay, not get rewarded by honoring a ridiculous agreement.”

“You’re emotional. You’re invested. I get it.”

“Are you listening to what I’m saying?”

“You’re biased, son.”

Was my father trying to be stubborn?

I got to my feet and I stomped towards the window.

“You’re really going to let Moretti go through with this? Especially after what he did to the Bianchi’s? He deserves to be put down!”

Pops didn’t move an inch. Dominic rubbed his temples, but said nothing.

“You’re not thinking straight, boy.”

My shoulders squared in retaliation. “I’m the only one willing to face that bastard and make him accountable for what he did.”

“Confronting Moretti will put Paige in danger.”

The tired look on Dominic’s face told me he and Pops pretty much had this exact same conversation before I arrived.

I folded my arms. “And what’s Moretti going to do? What can he do to her or any of us?”

“You know exactly what he could do. You like Paige? Try to help her keep her pulse. He’d go as far as he needs to, just to send a message, to put everyone around on notice that no one gets to interfere in his affairs.”

“Why would he kill Paige is he wants her so much?”

“He may want that woman, but he wants power more, and has no problem with making sacrifices to get it. He can bring serious pain on this family, destroy our connections, and at a time like this, we need all our life lines.”

“You could do the same to him.”

His eyes narrowed. “I won’t. I have no interest in starting a war. Do you really intend on putting your entire family in danger over one woman?”

Something in me wavered, but only for a split second. I would protect them all. Including Paige.

“Think about it, Angelo.”

“If I knew all of this about the Bianchi’s when it happened, I could have done something. Too many years have gone by. Moretti has become too powerful in Europe.”

There might be some other way. Some kind of trade.”

Pops shook his head. “Angelo.”

“He loves money more than anything. Why not try to bargain with him?”

“Just suggesting that to him is playing with fire, don’t you see?” His voice rose. He was losing his patience. “Moretti thinks we’re allies, Angelo. To even ask for something like this is showing our hand too soon.”

“He has to understand.”

“No! He does not!” He slapped his palm against the chair’s arm.

The room grew dead quiet. I knew it then. The discussion was over.

Alone. I was all alone in this. My plan to make an exchange wouldn’t pan out without Pops. I could go to Moretti on my own and make the offer, but if that would put my family at risk. I couldn’t be in six places at once.

“I’m sorry,” Pops concluded. “Let it go. There’s nothing to be done.”