Chapter 9
FRANKIE
Fucking Dante. What exactly do I owe him?
It’s the question I keep mulling over after I leave the diner and take the Jaguar for a long drive on the Venetian causeway, attempting to clear my head.
The bridges and bay views always calm me down.
The sun and wind are just right, too, and for once I don’t feel like I’m suffocating from the weather.
My life seems determined to smother me no matter which way I turn, but I’m not going to let it. I can’t. For once, I just want to feel like I’m not trapped. Like I get to make my own choices, determine my own fate.
Yes, Dante has a right to know his child and be a part of that child’s life.
That’s not up for debate. But he doesn’t have the right to dictate every aspect of how I live my life.
I’m tired of the secrets and half-truths and flat-out lies.
The manipulations and ultimatums. I deserve better than that, and so does our baby.
So I’ll just have to figure out how we’re going to co-parent if we’re not in the same city, much less the same state.
It can be done. I’m determined to find a way.
As for right now, I need to take things one day at a time.
That’s all I can do. Tomorrow, I’ll look for a new job.
A more professional one that will actually pay me decent money.
See, things are looking up already. And baby bean seems to be letting me keep down the burger and fries I’ve been eating on the drive, so progress!
Though I really should start eating better. And I will.
By the time the sun begins to set, I’m not exactly settled, but at least I’m feeling like I’ve got a grip on my emotions. I’ve got this. I’m going to be okay. And I’m ready to head home.
When I pull into the apartment building’s rear parking lot, though, the first thing I spy is Dante’s rental car in one of the visitor spaces. Instantly, my good mood shatters. Fucking bastard. What the hell is he doing here? I only just got a handle on things, and now this.
Didn’t I make myself clear this morning? Yet here he is, obviously planning to strong arm me into doing whatever he wants. He probably figures he’ll get my mom on his side, the two of them coaxing me into taking the easy way out—the gilded cage—for the good of the baby.
This is too much.
I sit in the car for a minute, steeling myself for the confrontation that I don’t want to have, giving myself a pep talk about how I’m not going to back down. Then I force myself to get out and march to the apartment. Turning my key in the lock, I take a deep breath and then push the door open.
A strange hush goes through the air as I walk inside. And do a double take. No…THIS is too much.
“What the hell?” I blurt.
Charlie, Mom, and Livvie are sitting on the couch. Dante and Clayton are opposite them, in the armchairs, while Armani stands hovering behind Dante. Miggy jumps up when he sees me and bounces over, barking a hello while pawing at my feet.
I don’t get a moment to recover from the shock of seeing my family before Charlie and Livvie fly across the room and wrap me in a huge hug, both of them babbling excitedly about my pregnancy.
“This is going to be amazing,” Charlie murmurs into my ear. “I promise.”
“I can’t believe the good news!” Livvie squeals. “You’re going to be a mama! Why didn’t you tell us we’re going to be aunties?”
I glance past Charlie’s head and shoot an evil look at Dante, but he just tilts his head toward my mom, who looks sheepish.
“I um, wanted the time to be right,” I say lamely. “But wait…what are you all doing here?”
“It’s Thanksgiving! What better time for the whole family to be together?” Charlie says with strained mirth.
Uh-oh. I know that voice. It’s the Dad Did Something Again voice.
Our mother scoffs. “Cut the crap. We just need to talk about what’s going on. And Livvie deserves to know the whole truth—she knows most of it already, and trying to keep it a secret almost let something bad happen to her, didn’t it?”
My stomach drops, and I pull away from my sisters. “What? Livvie, what happened?”
“You should sit down, Frankie,” Charlie says.
She and Livvie exchange a glance and my heart picks up double time.
“I don’t want to sit down. Just tell me. Somebody say something,” I demand.
Well, there goes my peace of mind. The hush that’s fallen over the room suggests that whatever I’m about to find out is pretty bad.
Charlie clears her throat and gazes at me with clear eyes, using her calmest voice to say, “Two days ago, the last day of school before the holiday break, the vice principal at Livvie’s school—Mr. Matthews—noticed two men watching her from the parking lot while she was waiting for the bus.
When they got in their car and followed the bus, he followed them. ”
My hand goes over my chest, where I can feel my heart pounding behind my ribs.
“He wasn’t totally sure at first,” Charlie goes on, “but when it was clear they really were following Livvie, he called the police to send a cruiser to Bellanti Vineyards. It was enough to scare off the men, apparently, and since there was nobody at the house except the Bellantis’ staff, Mr. Matthews drove her to Nob Hill to stay with me. ”
I glare daggers at Dante just as he rises from his chair and moves toward me. I’m fucking furious. “You didn’t even think about Livvie and her horses, did you? She rides every single day! Did you seriously think she wouldn’t need someone to—”
“Marco was home,” Dante says, cutting me off. “It was bad timing. He’d been called away for an emergency; one of the workers broke their ankle in a gopher hole on the grounds.”
It’s like a record scratch in my brain. “The winery has gophers? Have you tried—”
“Frankie, focus!” my mom says.
“Right. Sorry.” I turn back to Livvie and take her hand.
She hesitates and then says, “There’s more.
When we got to Nob Hill, Mr. Matthews said it looked like we were being followed again.
So I called Clayton to come out and meet me at the car so he could walk me into the house.
He said I needed to get out of California right away, so he used his connections with the Frisco family to get me here without anyone knowing. ”
“Which is great,” Dante cuts in, shooting Clayton a look, “if we’re assuming it’s not the Friscos who were after her.”
Clayton raises an eyebrow in response, which is apparently all that’s needed to settle that suspicion. Dante nods at him. It’s not the Friscos.
“Why was this Mr. Matthews paying so much attention to Livvie?” Mom asks, showing more maternal concern than she has in the past decade.
Oh, wait. She’s nice now. I have to keep reminding myself of that.
“I, um, asked him to keep an eye on her,” I admit. “We Abbotts don’t exactly have sterling examples of father figures in our lives. Mr. Matthews used to be a counselor when I went to Napa High, and I thought he could be a positive influence. Someone to confide in, if need be.”
“Oooh,” Livvie says, visibly relaxing. “I was wondering why he called me into his office to offer me counseling. We did talk a few times. He was actually really helpful.”
“Good,” I say, nodding. “He was always decent to me.”
Livvie smiles. “He made me realize some things about my life. And how I was coping in some unhealthy ways—like working until I drop every single day. So…we worked on making a list of some more helpful coping mechanisms I can try. Like watching Gilmore Girls and perfecting my peanut butter cookie recipe. Stuff I can do without pressuring myself.”
“Oh, Livvie.” I can’t help wrapping my baby sister in a hug.
The men aren’t listening to us anymore—they’ve launched into planning mode.
“Livvie needs to be hidden. That much is clear,” Clayton is saying.
“Not just her,” Dante says. “All of the women.”
“The whole family,” Armani agrees.
Realistically, I know they’re right. My fears have come true. We really are in danger.
But I immediately think of the Friesians, and Livvie’s unbreakable bond with them. “What about Livvie’s horses?” I ask, interrupting the conversation going on across the room.
The men stop talking to look at me as if I’ve lost my mind.
“I know it might seem like the last thing we should be thinking about when it’s obvious someone is out to get us, but they’re important to my sister, so they’re important to me,” I say firmly.
“Actually,” Livvie cuts in, “I think…I think I’m going to take a break. Just for a little while. The show circuit is done until March, and Max and I could probably use some downtime. I can get Vicente to look in on them. He’s great with Max. Um, if that’s okay with you all.”
A murmur of agreement goes through the men. Well, that definitely makes things easier.
“When you say we need to be hidden, what are we talking about? All of us sent away?” I ask.
Dante moves beside me and despite myself, I find comfort in his closeness.
“I think for now, it makes the most sense to get Livvie into hiding right away. Armani and I have plans to make sure you’re looked after at the house in Napa, and we’ll do the same for Charlie at her place.
It’ll be harder for you to be targets if you’re not all in one place together. ”
Mom moves beside Livvie and gently puts an arm around her shoulders.
“I’m not that fond of Miami, and since your father broke all of his promises, I’ll risk whatever threats he wants to throw my way in order to go home and be with my girls,” she announces.
“I know I need to earn my family’s trust back, but taking care of Livvie and helping her stay hidden can be part of that. ”
She holds her chin high, and Dante slowly nods. “Thank you for the offer, Miriam,” he says. “Livvie? How does that sound? We can always make other arrangements.”
Livvie nods almost excitedly. Charlie and I exchange a glance and then shrug in agreement. Mom just smiles like she’s won the biggest prize. I could get emotional right now, but I hold it back. I’m terrified, yet happy that our mother might be back in our lives again.
“We’ve got some Frisco connections in New Orleans,” Armani says.
“They have an old safe house on Lake Pontchartrain. I’ve been there.
It’s secluded, easy to guard, and comfortable enough to use long term.
The women could stay as long as needed, even Miriam’s dog.
I’m sure we could arrange for a private tutor to help Livvie finish out school. ”
Livvie’s eyes go wide. “You think it’ll be that long? I—I can’t be gone for all that time.”
“I’m sure it won’t be that long,” Charlie says soothingly. “This is all going to get sorted out before you know it.”
I stare hard at Dante over Livvie’s shoulder as I give her another reassuring hug.
“Listen to me, Livvie. I know there’s been a lot of broken promises in your life.
And I know Dad’s done a lot of really shitty things.
But I promise you, we are going to find him.
And he’s going to pay for the damage he’s done to our lives. ”
“It’ll be taken care of,” Dante says, formally accepting the task I’ve just given him.
I’m going to hold him to it.
“In the meantime,” I tell Livvie, “we need to make sure nothing happens to you. Okay? Baby is going to need their Auntie Livvie.”
Just then, there’s a knock at the door. Armani motions for everyone to stay where they are. His left hand moves beneath his suit jacket as he strides to the door. The back of my neck tingles when I realize he’s reaching for a gun.
I watch him peek through the peephole. “Dinner Dash?” he asks over his shoulder.
“It’s safe,” Dante calls back.
Armani visibly relaxes, and opens the door to reveal a food-laden delivery person. Clayton moves to help collect bags and boxes, and soon the small apartment smells like a home-cooked meal. After tipping the delivery person, Armani shuts and locks the door.
“Well, Dante. It looks like the feast you ordered could feed this entire apartment building.”
Dante shrugs. “I just wanted to be sure there’d be a Thanksgiving for the Abbott sisters. Albeit a few days early.
I look at Dante curiously. “You ordered us Thanksgiving dinner?”
He grins. “Well, it wouldn’t be a holiday without turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy, would it?”
Armani pipes up. “Don’t forget the pie.”
“Looks like there’s pumpkin and apple.” Livvie makes an appreciative sound.
Everyone scrambles to arrange the food buffet-style on my mom’s small dining room table.
Before long, the feast is laid out with paper plates and plastic forks.
We gather as many chairs around the table as we can.
Armani even drags over the recliner and positions it in the corner of the narrow dining room.
I can’t describe the feelings going through me, knowing that Dante arranged this for us, and that all my family is here.
The circumstances that got us here might be unfortunate, but having my sisters around is always nourishing for my soul, and I need them now more than ever.
And even though I’m terrified of what might happen to Livvie, I feel better knowing that our mother will be with her.
Funny, I never would’ve felt that way before.
I go into the kitchen for napkins, and Mom follows me in.
“It’s okay, Mom, I’ve got it,” I tell her.
She lightly touches my arm and I turn to face her.
“Dante is a good man, isn’t he?” she says quietly. “It seems like maybe he just needs a bit of handling.”
I huff a laugh, and then sigh. “Yeah. Just a bit.”
“For what it’s worth, Frankie, he’s nothing like your father. But he could run you over. Don’t let him.”
She lovingly squeezes my arm before going back out into the dining room. Something flips inside of me and in that moment, I feel like the weight I’ve constantly carried for all these years has lifted. There’s still some resentment there, and it’s not like everything is perfect.
But I’m surprised to realize that I’ve honestly begun to forgive my mother.