Page 107 of Reaper’s Wrath

“Elio told me you had amnesia,” Dad informs me a few minutes into our conversation. “I feel terrible, Isa. I had no idea.”

“Don’t feel bad. I had no idea, either.”

“There’s one thing I don’t understand, though. Why didn’t you tell me about Elio after he disappeared? I could tell you were heartbroken and wasn’t sure why. Then when I found out about the pregnancy…”

Elio warned me that Dad knew. I’m glad he did so that the question doesn’t wind me.

“I guess for the same reason you never mentioned the pregnancy. All of it felt too hard to talk about. I didn’t even know where to begin.”

Dad breathes a weary sigh. “I don’t want you to feel like there’s ever anything you can’t tell me. I love you more than anything—you know that, right?”

“Yes, Daddy.” Emotion clogs my throat in the best way. “Thank you for understanding. I know this hasn’t been easy.”

“Him coming here to talk to me in person helped a good deal. A part of me wants to be angry, but I’ve known those boys their whole lives—at least, I’ve known DiAngelo his whole life. Somehow, that makes it feel like Elio’s absence never happened. It’s … strange.”

I chuckle. “Believe me, I understand. Even when I didn’t remember our relationship, I still felt connected to him. I don’t know if that was because of his familiar appearance or some part of my memories trying to surface, but I was never scared of him.”

“I’m glad to hear it. I was scared enough for us both.”

“I’m so sorry—that’s the last thing I would have wanted. One of the hardest parts of this whole thing for me was worrying about you. I hope you’re still remembering to take your meds.”

“Yes, I learned that lesson and won’t make the same mistake again.”

“Good.”

Dad groans. “Jesus, he’s back.”

My spine stiffens. “Who? Is everything okay?”

“Yes, it’s that mountain of a man who worked for Mazzi. He shows up at the house every day, ever since Mazzi died. Says he wants to work for me. I’ve told him no, but he keeps coming back.”

I have to smile at the mental image of Dad trying to shoo away the giant. “Poor Fedele. He’s a good man, Daddy. You should give him a chance.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes! Surely you can find something for him to do.”

He huffs. “Elio’s the one who killed his boss. Maybe that means he should work for you two.”

“I’m pretty sure he’d sink the boat,” I offer playfully.

The light reverberations of Dad’s chuckle over the line tickle my ears.

“Love you, Daddy.” My happiness has me seconds away from levitation. It’s so wonderful to be back to joking around with my dad. I’ve missed this dearly.

“Love you, too, princess.”

We finish up the call, and I jump right into the next one, dialing my best friend Terina. It’s the first time we’ve spoken since the day I was taken.

She bursts into tears the moment she hears my voice.

“I’m sorry. Your dad said he’d heard from you, and D said he saw you, but it’s not the same as talking to you myself.”

“No need to apologize, honey. I totally understand and am so sorry about everything.”

“Sorry? You had no control over any of this.”

“No, but I still feel bad,” I explain. “I hated for any of you to worry.”