Page 152 of Modern Romance January 2025 5-8

‘And you two fell out long before the accident.’

There was a clatter as Gio threw down his cutlery and broke the unspoken rule of the Casadio men left behind, venturing into territories that by mutual silent consent they all avoided.

‘The night before Sev and Rosa married the two of you fought...’ He got up and took down a photo, holding it out in front of Dante. ‘You didn’t get that scar from falling while celebrating! And Sev’s hand was so swollen from hitting you, Rosa couldn’t get his wedding band on. I didn’t believe you then and I don’t believe you now. You said something to Sev about Rosa, didn’t you?’

Dante almost lost his poker face, inwardly startled by his grandfather’s question, but he had trained himself well and kept his features impassive as he responded. ‘I just asked him if he was certain that marriage was what he wanted.’

‘Why?’ Gio demanded.

Dante twisted the last of his pasta on his fork, even as the knife in his heart twisted tighter. Gio had loved Rosa, he was certain. There was no way he could tell him that two years prior to the wedding he’d slept with Rosa—nor that she’d told him she might be pregnant in an attempt to trap him and that night he’d been concerned Rosa might be playing the same tricks on Sev.

Instead, he offered a very diluted version of his thoughts around that time. ‘I thought I was looking out for him.’

Gio made a small hissing noise that said what he thought of Dante’s actions. ‘You should never come between a man and his choice of bride.’

‘I know that now!’ Dante said tartly. ‘Thanks for the late advice.’

To his surprise there was a small burst of laughter from Gio, but then his face flicked back to serious. ‘You should have come to me.’

Dante responded with a thin smile.

‘Did Sev tell you I was looking unkempt?’ asked Gio.

‘What?’ Dante feigned a frown.

‘Dante...?’

Had it not been for Susie he would have answered honestly—after all, Gio had invited him to speak. But he looked at his proud grandfather and heeded her plea to tread gently.

‘I have no idea what you are talking about. What do you mean “unkempt”?’

‘I didn’t know it was a video call. Sev caught me at the wrong time.’

‘Okay.’ Dante thought for a moment before he responded. ‘You’re looking very smart now. Are you feeling better?’

‘Somewhat.’ He nodded. ‘Susie said if I shaved and put on my best clothes I might feel like going for a walk...’

‘Did you?’

‘No, but I did take out the jewellery...’

‘So I see.’

He glanced to the coffee table, at the necklaces, bracelets and rings all strewn across it.

‘What else have you been doing?’

‘Not much.’

‘Can you tell me what’s wrong?’

‘Like you, there are things I would prefer not to discuss.’ Gio moved the topic on. ‘How long are you home for?’

‘I’m here all weekend. So I can do whatever needs doing.’

‘The dishes tonight?’

‘I can give it a go.’ Dante’s smile was wry. ‘I’ll sort out a temporary housekeeper tomorrow.’