Chapter 28
Skylar and Dante
Monday morning
Skylar arrived at the business office of the Ursala Hotel and Resorts earlier than usual, but then, he needed the extra time.
He had flown in straight from Chicago. Leaving Haven had been hard, and not telling her of his connection to the Montgomerys had been even harder.
Their weekend had been so busy…and so sensually satisfying.
It had been a while since he’d visited Chicago, and he had forgotten what a great city it was.
Lake Michigan, The Art Institute, Millennium Park, and the food–pizza, hot dogs, and popcorn–were a few of the things Haven had decided that he needed to get reacquainted with.
And he had. Then, at night and during the early mornings, he had found the ultimate in passionate pleasure in the arms of the woman he loved.
“You’re early, Sky, but I see you’ve made yourself at home by helping yourself to my coffee.”
He turned as Dante walked in, looking like a badass, even in a business suit. “That’s what you get for having your coffee maker set to come on at a certain time.”
“What can I say? There’s nothing like good Italian coffee, and I only drink the best,” Dante said, removing his jacket and taking a seat behind his desk.
“You would,” Skylar said. Dante’s family in Italy, the Averas, owned a coffee plantation. Avera coffee was well-known and considered the best Italian coffee because the beans were grown right there in Sicily. Pouring a cup of coffee for Dante, he crossed the room and placed it on his desk.
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome,” Skylar said, easing into the chair across from the desk. “So why didn’t you tell me about Haven’s connection to the Montgomerys?”
Dante leaned back in his chair. “Mainly because I didn’t see it as a threat. I made the connection when I did a background check on them. It didn’t appear in my report on Haven because I primarily focused on her life. You can’t imagine my shock when I saw Jeremiah’s wedding photo, with her in it.”
Skylar could imagine it and figured it was the same shock he’d had when he had seen it. “You immediately thought some funny business was going on, right?”
“I did for all of two seconds. After making sure you and Haven were not in any way blood-related, I found things rather amusing.”
“Amusing?” Skylar asked, frowning.
“Yes. What are the odds that something like that would happen? That you and the woman you fell for were related to some of the same people.” Dante suddenly went still in the middle of taking a sip of his coffee. His gaze sharpened on Skylar. “I hope you didn’t accuse her of anything, Sky.”
“No. I haven’t even told her about the connection.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to talk to you first. I never suspected her of foul play. Of course, at first, I was shocked, and maybe for the same two seconds you did, I considered the possibility she was involved in some shady business. But then, I realized she was not intentionally keeping anything from me. I’ve gotten to know Haven over the past five weeks, and she is everything you said.
Different, and like a breath of fresh air.
I doubt she has a deceitful bone in her body.
I don’t understand it any more now than I did five weeks ago, but I believe we were meant to be together. ”
“I believe that, too, and I’m not a wishful-thinker, dreamer, or a person prone to fantasy. You of all people know that. I’ve seen too much jaded shit in my lifetime. I’m pragmatic, too grounded in realism and practicality. But a part of me thinks I now understand.”
“Understand what?”
“The purpose behind everything. This is your destiny.”
Skylar lifted a brow. “Now you’re confusing me, Dante. What are you talking about?”
“Jeremiah Montgomery.”
“What about him?”
“He reminds me of Silas, but without the wealth. He’s a good man with a sincere heart and is filled with integrity. He believes in doing the right thing. He sees the best in everyone, and he loves his kids the same way Silas loved you, wanting the best for them. He’s a good role model.”
“And?”
“I can see him becoming a part of your life in a positive way.”
Skylar rolled his eyes. “It’s not Jeremiah Montgomery I want in my life, Dante. It’s Haven.”
“Yes, but can you honestly have Haven in your life without Jeremiah in it as well? He and her grandmother were close. I can almost guarantee Haven’s grandmother’s deathbed request to Jeremiah was similar to Silas’s deathbed request to me. To always be there for you.”
Skylar didn’t say anything for a minute. “What are you implying?”
After taking another sip of his coffee, Dante said, “You’ve been boxed into a corner, but in a good way. Now maybe I can take that long, overdue vacation.”
“Again, what are you talking about, Dante?”
“I’m talking about me, you, Haven, and the Montgomerys.
For years, it’s just been Ricco and me looking out for you.
And before you go into this spiel about being old enough to take care of yourself, we know that.
However, we made that promise to Silas, so humor us.
Just as I humored Silas and Ricco when my dad died.
They felt responsible for me, even though I was a grown-ass man of thirty. It’s what family does.”
Skylar didn’t say anything. What Dante said was true.
At the time, he had felt bad for Dante because to Silas and Ricco, it hadn’t mattered how old Mario’s son was.
All that mattered was that he was their godson and the three men – Silas, Ricco, and Mario – had made a commitment to look out for each other’s offspring.
If any of them died, the responsibility fell on the remaining ones.
Skylar had felt that same level of commitment from Ricco and Dante when Silas passed.
“So, Jeremiah Montgomery is a good man. What of it?” Skylar asked.
“Ricco and I need all the help we can get in looking out for you, Sky. Ricco is getting older, and I’m getting tired. And like I said, I need a vacation.”
“You take vacations,” Skylar reminded him.
Dante shrugged. “A week here and there. I mean an extended vacation, possibly one lasting three to four months. And I’d like to go away knowing that you’re okay.”
“Why do I get the feeling that you’re passing me off to the Montgomerys? To a family I don’t know.”
Dante smiled. “I’m passing you off to Haven. Someone you do know. Just think of the Montgomerys as a bonus that comes with her. After all, we both know you’re going to ask Haven to marry you.”
“That’s my plan.”
“Then do it. She is the best thing to ever happen to you, Sky.”
Skylar still couldn’t believe this. What were the odds? “I haven’t decided to join the Montgomerys for Thanksgiving.”
Dante chuckled. “I believe that decision has been taken out of your hands. I know you want to spend that day with Haven, which means you’ll get to spend the day with your extended family, as well.”
Skylar leaned forward in his chair, a worried look on his face. “Is there something you aren’t telling me, Dante? Why do you need to be gone for so long? Are you having some health issues that I don’t know about?”
“Relax, Sky. I’m fine.”
“Does it have anything to do with a woman?”
“No. I’m one of those men who do better by themselves.
No serious involvement and no exclusivity.
Just a willing bed partner when the mood hits.
All I want is some downtime to enjoy life without any worries or hassles.
Hell, I’m forty-one. It’s about time, don’t you think?
You will marry and have a family of your own.
I need to be in good shape and in the right frame of mind to look out for your kids.
And now, I won’t have to be the only one.
They will have uncles and aunts who, I believe, will be there for them as well. ”
Skylar studied Dante carefully, as if to make sure he was telling the truth about his health.
And for the first time, he was really listening to his friend.
Since Mario’s death ten years ago, Dante had stepped into the role of protector and trusted confidant for both him and Silas.
Then, when Silas died two years ago, Dante had been there for him.
Dante had been extremely close to both Mario and Silas, yet he had never taken the time to fully grieve for either man. Maybe this was the time.
Skylar was finally realizing just what Dante had done for him all those years.
He’d never been far away from him. Even on vacation, Dante often checked in to make sure Skylar was okay.
And he was certain Dante did the same for Ricco and his family.
But there, at least, Dante wasn’t alone.
Ricco’s oldest son, Nico, who was five years older than Skylar, was around to help take on some of the responsibility of caring for his aging parents.
Nico was smart and had been trained by Dante to handle all aspects of the business.
At first, when Dante mentioned needing an extended vacation, Skylar’s mind went immediately to a woman.
But then he had to ask himself, in what universe could Dante have met someone and fallen in love without him or Ricco knowing about it?
Especially Ricco, who still made it his business to pry into his godsons’ lives a little more than they appreciated.
If Dante had pulled one over on them and met someone, that was great.
And if he were to meet someone unexpectedly sometime soon, then that would be great, too.
He thought about his dad’s other friend.
Ricco wasn’t getting any younger. Instead of being his chauffeur, Skylar needed to make sure he had time to spend with his family, instead of following him and Dante around.
He sighed. “You’re right, Dante. I want a life with Haven, and after meeting Logan, I think that making a connection with the Montgomerys could be a good thing. In a way, I am looking forward to it. But I also need to decide what to do about Edwina’s request.”
“You don’t want me to tell you what I think about that. I read my Dad’s journal, Skylar, and the woman who birthed you was a piece of work,” Dante said gruffly.
“I’m sure she was. But now she’s dying, and she’s asking for forgiveness,” Skylar said, standing. “When are you leaving for this extended vacation?”
“Not until I get you married off. When I do leave, Nico will handle things in my absence. He’s more than capable.”
Skylar nodded. “Okay. I’ll keep you abreast of my plans with Haven and the Montgomerys.”
“You don’t have long, Sky. Thanksgiving is this Thursday.”
“I know. And Dante?”
“Yes?”
“I might not say this enough, but I appreciate everything you do and have done for me. It’s past time that you take care of yourself. I think an extended vacation will do you good.”
After giving Dante a huge bear hug, he walked out of his office.