Raise Your Heart

Chapter 8

Dante paced his office. Twenty minutes ticked by since he last hung up with Gio. Where the hell was he? He missed the meeting this morning which wasn't like him. Sunday wasn't an excuse enough for him to have missed it. He knew better. Whatever the reason, it better be good.

Luckily, he wasn't missed. But, that was besides the point. This morning's meeting was set up well in advance. Dante checked his watch again, then straightened his cuff. A tick worked his jaw.

Moving to the window, he looked down at the traffic. Being Sunday, there were fewer cars on the road compared to the weekdays. Still, people were out and about some wearing fall jackets on the crisp spring morning. Dante sucked in a breath trying to calm his irritation with the mundane.

"Dante!" Gio swept in.

Finally. "Where the hell were you? You missed our meeting," he clipped.

Gio's eyes widened a fraction. Guilt was written all over his face. He cringed, "I...I don't know. I guess I forgot. I'm really sorry, uncle."

"Sit down. Don't uncle me. You missed the diamond meeting," he crossed his arms and leaned against his desk watching his nephew's expression fall.

"No. Fuck! Dante, I'm sorry."

"Maybe I should skip your cut," Dante shrugged. "Seems fair."

That got Gio's attention. Of course it did. There was a lot of money to be had with their newest business venture.

"What do you want me to do? Just say it, and I'll do it."

"Thought that would be your reaction. Where were you?"

Gio looked away. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his throat cleared. "I...,"

"Do not lie to me. Don't even think about it."

"I was with Petra."

Dante's eyes narrowed. "You were with Petra? How? Petra is supposed to be with Trinity at that fashion expo."

Gio's leg started to bob nervous. There was a level of irritation Dante felt before Gio arrived and, for some reason, that level was rising.

"You were with Petra and Trinity," Dante supplied.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"I wanted to see them before they left to go back home tomorrow."

"You're not friends with her anymore, Gio. So, I don't understand your reasoning. I really don't. I just worked a business meeting with a new partner on a very large project that stands to make millions of dollars, and you're MIA," Dante resumed his pacing. "You know, my father and grandfather no longer run the show. I do. And I chose you to be my second because I don't have a son. But what are you doing?" He paused to give Gio a chance to answer. Instead, he received a view of the top of Gio's head. "You're gallivanting around with my ex-girlfriend. Tell me, does Sarah know this? Does she know how you feel about Trinity? Because if she doesn't, I think she ought to be enlightened."

"Stop, Dante. Sarah has nothing to do with anything. And, I did nothing wrong. Yes, I forgot a meeting. I'm human. Relax."

Dante dropped his hands. "The fuck you say to me? I know I didn't hear you right," his blood boiled. Just who this brat thought he was, he did not know. But no one disrespected him. No one.

Gio's eyes were wide. A measure of satisfaction coursed through Dante seeing Gio press his back into the chair. Gio held up his hands.

"Don't you ever talk that way to me again. Do you understand?"