Chapter 33
Chapter Thirty-Three
SALVATORE
Preseason comes to an end with our last game this weekend, and I half expect more of Gregory’s book of lies to be released. There’s so much positive energy surrounding the team right now that I wouldn’t put it past someone to try and bring us down.
Fortunately, I’m wrong, and as Paige’s wedding approaches, it couldn’t be more perfect.
Unless you count the cloud that’s been hanging over my head since I told Keeley I couldn’t do the casual thing anymore.
What a fucking idiot.
Who tells a stunning, intelligent, confident woman that they no longer want to have sex with them?
Hell, we didn’t even have sex and I shut it all down.
All because I was catching feelings.
Me. The guy that puts work over everything else.
The guy that hasn’t thought about a woman that way for too many years to count. And now that I have, she’s all kinds of off-limits.
I’m sure a therapist could fill a notebook on that revelation alone.
I’m already awake when my alarm goes off on the morning of Paige’s wedding, and I can’t decide if it’s because I’m excited or nervous.
On one hand, my daughter is getting married to a man that would give her the world if she asked for it. On the other hand, my daughter’s getting married. Period. My baby. The girl who once asked me if it was still okay to hold my hand even with everyone calling her a big girl.
The woman I let down.
Fuck, I’m lucky I was even invited to the wedding. Had it been five years earlier, that may not have been the case.
I take my time getting ready, buttoning the crisp white shirt I bought specifically for the occasion, being careful when I take my custom suit out of the garment bag, gliding my fingers over the imported Italian fabric.
I’m about to put on my shoes when a knock at my door interrupts me, and I stand up, my brows furrowing.
“I’m coming.”
No one can access my level unless they live in the building, and I know Paige stayed at the hotel last night after the game. Not that she’d be visiting her dad on the morning of her wedding.
After adjusting my tie, I open the door and come face-to-face with Camilla, her eyes wet with tears.
“She’s getting married, Salvatore,” she cries out as she lets herself inside, grabbing a photo off the table in my hallway. “I didn’t think I’d get emotional like this, but now that it’s here, it’s sinking in. She’s not coming home.”
The first tear falls and I almost laugh. This has nothing to do with Paige getting married and everything to do with Camilla wanting Paige to live near her forever.
“She’s been gone for years, Cami. You didn’t actually think she was going to move back home, did you?”
“Yes! I thought she’d come to her senses and realize she was meant to grow old in New York. She’s a socialite like me. It’s where she belongs.”
“Paige hasn’t been a socialite for a while. I’m afraid that ship has sailed. And that’s a good thing. She’s found her place. The woman she was meant to be. She has Easton and Isaac. A career that she loves. A family of friends.”
“We’re her family, Sal.”
“And she’ll always have us.”
“Easy for you to say when you live in the same state.”
“Move here.” I shrug, and the gasp I get in return is so loud, you’d think she was screaming.
“Move here? Leave New York?”
“It’s not as hard as you think.”
“Oh, really? Is that why you’re still keeping one foot in the door? Still running your business as though you never left?”
“Daniel is running D’Angelo Construction. Not me.”
“So you weren’t there a couple of weeks back.”
“There was a fire, Camilla. It’s not like I flew home for the Monday morning catch-up meeting.” Although I do regularly call in for that.
I expect Camilla to argue, but she shocks me when her face pales. “I didn’t know there was a fire.”
“I paid big bucks to keep it quiet, so I’m happy to hear it worked.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why did you keep it quiet?”
“Because I didn’t want it coming out that we had a disgruntled employee going around setting fire to our offices, wanting to send a message.”
“A disgruntled employee. Is that what you think?”
“It’s what I know.”
“I think you’re wrong.”
“What? Why?” I frown until a thought comes to mind and I chuckle softly. “Camilla, this isn’t something for you to get excited about, and it’s not something for you to discuss at one of your gossip-fueled lunches. In fact, I’d prefer it if you didn’t.”
Camilla stares at me deadpan as she folds her arms over her chest. “That’s not what this is.”
“It’s not?”
“No. Do I like gossip? Sure. I like it as much as the average person does.” I wouldn’t exactly say that but I let it slide. “This isn’t gossip. I’m worried.”
“Worried?”
“I increased my security the other week because I think I’m being followed.
” Her voice lowers while my heart jolts, and for the first time, I pause and give her my full attention, keeping an eye out for her usual tells.
If this was one of her attention-seeking grabs, she would have told me about it the second she arrived in San Francisco.
Or called me the moment she increased her detail.
If she’s only telling me now, it’s not a game.
“What makes you think you’re being followed?”
“I wish I could say it’s just a feeling, but I’ve seen flashes of light, like someone is taking a photo as I’m leaving the building.
I heard footsteps behind me and turned around to find no one was there.
It’s freaking me out. And it only started after I was officially called as a witness for the Mikkleson case. ”
“The Mikklesons. Fuck.” Why didn’t I put two and two together? Is it them trying to send me a message? Send my family a message.
I wouldn’t put it past them considering what they did to Paige years ago, but I thought that part of our lives was over. I guess it’s possible that now that the trial is approaching, they’re back to their old tricks.
“You told Paige not to testify, right?” Camilla asks me, her expression neutral.
“I did. They’ve got plenty of evidence without her statement. After she agreed, I pushed it from my mind.”
The second Paige told me about the Mikklesons blackmailing her after she moved to San Francisco, I took over the investigation with Austin, vowing to protect her.
And with Camilla’s help, thanks to her affair with Gabriel Mikkleson, we were able to secure the information we needed to bring them down.
Us. Not Paige. I want her as far away from this as possible.
“That’s good for Paige, but I’m part of that evidence.” Camilla sighs and my stomach knots with guilt. I somehow managed to avoid getting summoned.
“I know. Sorry. What can I do to help?”
“Nothing. I wouldn’t have mentioned it if you hadn’t mentioned the fire. I’m looking after myself.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’m sure.” Camilla huffs and I have to fight not to roll my eyes. “Believe it or not, I haven’t needed you for over ten years, Sal. Even before we actually split up.”
I wince at the personal attack but nod in agreement. I deserve that. Even if it’s not entirely true.
“Anyway.” Camilla smiles, her entire demeanor shifting back to her ever-confident self.
“We don’t have to concern ourselves with that now.
We’re all safe here in San Francisco.” She says San Francisco like it pains her, and I huff out a laugh.
“Let’s talk about it after the wedding. Before I go home. ”
“Okay. After the wedding.” I smile, while inside my stomach is churning. I have way too much to talk about after today. And none of it’s going to be fun.
Let’s hope today goes really slowly.
The morning flies by, and before I can blink, I’m being guided into Paige’s hotel room, my eyes closed as Camilla tells me to get ready.
“Are people getting dressed in here? I can come back another time. I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.” Camilla laughs and I frown, hating the fact that at this present moment, she has more control over me than I’d like.
“Your eyes are closed as a surprise, Sal. You can open them now. No one is naked.”
I never mentioned the word “naked” but of course now that it’s out there, one bridesmaid comes to mind. At least until I blink my eyes open and find Paige standing in front of me, her back toward me as someone I don’t know does something with her hair.
“Hi, Dad.” She turns around, and my chest tightens as emotion wells in my throat.
“I… You… Paige.” I laugh, shaking my head as though that’ll rid me of the tears forming in the back of my eyes.
“Stop, Dad. You’re going to make me cry.”
“And you better not do that, Daddy D’Angelo, because her makeup is set.
” Hayley appears out of nowhere, squeezing my shoulder as she walks past. I laugh at her ridiculous name until I notice her long champagne-colored bridesmaid dress and falter.
My mind conjures a picture of Keeley wearing the same dress, the long-split revealing her… Jesus. No.
“You look lovely, Hayley.” I smile, bringing my mind back to the present while my eyes surreptitiously bounce around the room.
“Why, thank you, Mr. D’Angelo. Paige picked the perfect dresses for us all. Don’t you think?”
“They’re very nice indeed.” I nod while my heart slams in my chest, knowing that if Hayley’s here, Keeley’s likely to be somewhere close by.
“I’ve been thinking…” Paige gets my attention, stopping me from spiraling. “Would you… Ah… Do you…” She trails off and my brows furrow.
“What’s wrong?”
“Sorry, I’m fine. You don’t have to look so worried.”
“I can’t help it. It’s my job.” I laugh and Paige smiles fondly back at me. “What have you been thinking?”
“I know I said I didn’t want to make a big deal out of today. But, ahh… Would you be interested in walking me down the aisle?”
I’m still smiling from her calling me out, so when her question hits me, my heart jolts and I’m momentarily lost for words.
“You don’t have to, of course. I was just?—”
“I’d love to.” I cut Paige off as she backtracks uncomfortably, my pulse jumping around like crazy. “It would be my absolute honor.”
Paige’s entire face lights up, and for the first time in far too long, I feel like I did something right. “Thank you, Paige.”
“Don’t thank me. It means just as much to me as it does you.”
My emotions take over me again as more tears well in my eyes. “Dad. Stop.”
“Sorry, I…” I choke on the words, before clearing my throat. “I just need a minute and I promise I’ll be good.”
“Thank you. Like Hayley said, I cannot mess up my makeup. There’s not long to go.”
“Five minutes, actually.” I hear Keeley’s velvety voice and I turn so fast, my neck twinges.
Not that it bothers me. I’m distracted, once again rendered speechless, only this time by the incredible beauty standing in front of me.
She’s more breathtaking than I ever could have imagined, her eyes alight with infectious joy, her soft pink lips pulled into a radiant smile.
I’m sure the champagne-colored dress clings to her beautifully and her hair is styled to perfection, but I’m too caught up in the captivating energy she just brought into the room and the warmth filling me.
“Don’t look so shocked.” Keeley laughs, flashing me a pointed grin as she seemingly covers for me, snapping me out of whatever the fuck that was.
“How can it only be five minutes?” I ask with fake wonder, spinning back to Paige when she laughs from behind me.
“You sound more nervous than I do.”
“Not nervous.” I shake my head. “I’m not ready to lose you just yet.”
“What do they say? Don’t look at it like losing a daughter; look at it like gaining a son.”
Someone snorts to stifle a laugh, and I know without looking that it’s Keeley, making me huff out a laugh of my own.
“Very true. Lucky me.” Paige smiles knowingly, likely thinking I’m joking about Easton. And I am in a sense, just not the way she’s thinking.
“It’s time to line up.” A woman with a headset waves to get our attention, and the room falls quiet until she’s gone.
“I guess that’s our cue. Are you ready, Kid?” I’m still not sure I’m ready, but I put on a front, ignoring my racing heart as Paige smiles back at me.
“Sure am, Daddio. Let’s do this.”
Let’s do this. Here we go.