Ang didn''t expect Gael to bring her over to Brooklyn for their date night, considering he was pretty much keeping her away from the borough since she arrived in New York and stayed in Manhattan. They pulled up in front of a restaurant by the East River, and he told her they were only fifteen minutes away from his brownstone in Williamsburg.


    The restaurant was near Brooklyn bridge, and with the darkening sky, their view from a secluded dining table on the corner by the window was the bridge and the New York City skyline; it was stunning. The atmosphere was romantic, enhanced by the live piano music, brick walls, gold chandeliers with warm lights, soft plush seating, and elegant flower arrangements. Traditional Tuscany cuisine was prepared in an old-fashioned brick oven that gave off that wood-smoky aroma and vor. A menu of wine selections waspletely Italian.


    Gael spoke in fluent Italian with the restaurant staff members: the hostess, the waiter, and the sommelier—even the manager came out to greet them. Apparently, the De Lucas owned half of the restaurant shares since the ''60s. Ang didn''t mind that she didn''t understand the conversation—Gael sounded sexy and hot when he spoke thenguage—he was doing her service, really.


    There were many patrons that night, but Gael and Ang were seated in a private area where they could talk about anything without anyone overhearing them. Of course, he had to slip in dirty jokes and puns a few times during dinner that made her not onlyugh—but also had her panties wet.


    She understood that this week was going to be hectic for him and his family because of the Morelli issue, and he wanted to take her out before he wouldn''t have a chance to in the following days. For weeks, Ang had been trying to ignore the fact that they still had a pressing matter to take care of. She didn''t tell him, but she''d get anxious at random times of the day when she got reminded of it. For some reason, this made her nervous more than knowing Evan was still looking for her.


    When she came to New York, Oliver thought it would be great for her to stay with Gael for the meantime, knowing that Evan could go home and stalk her again. At first, Oliver didn''t like that he had to leave his sister in Gael''s hands, but he was busy with work most days that he wouldn''t be able to keep an eye on Ang all the time even if he wanted to.


    This made Ang feel grateful that Oliver wasn''t against her being with Gael anymore despite him probably knowing Gael''s background. She had shoved Evan''s case at the back of her mind, and the Morelli thing was now growing roots. She was good at forgetting about stressors for a time until it came barging in like an annoying solicitor that''s ready to rob her.


    "I might have to fly to Chicago in a couple of days this week…" Gael told her. "I want to… But I can''t bring you with me."


    She nodded. His purpose in going to that state would be for the Morellis. He couldn''t bring her with him because it was dangerous, so it didn''t stop her from worrying about him heading towards the enemy''s territory.


    "Sorry." He held her hand on the table and stroked it with his thumb when he noticed the change in her expression. "I didn''t want to talk about it tonight, but I wanted to tell you beforehand. You understand, right?"


    "Of course. I just worry that you''re going there."


    "It won''t be violent. We''ll be there to…negotiate."— ''Sort of,'' he thought to himself. "But I''ll bring Rick and several of my men with me. You can stay at Nana''s for the meantime if you want."


    Before Ang could respond, her phone chimed a faint bell sound. "Sorry. It''s my reminder. I thought I had my phone on mute." She checked her phone, swiped at the notification shing on the screen, and tapped a few times.


    "It''s okay. Is it something important?"


    She blew her cheeks as she continued to tap, setting up the reminder again for tomorrow morning. "It''s Dad''s annual check-up on the 24th. I''m the one in charge of going with him, and I have to book with the hospital for appointments at least a week before to fit with his work schedule. He doesn''t like staying in the hospital for a long time."


    "I see…" Gael''s shoulders slumped a bit when he realized that Ang had to leave soon. Wanting to broach the subject he had on his mind for a while, he casually asked while her attention was still on her phone. "Have you ever thought about living somewhere else?"


    "I like to travel from time to time. Living somewhere else other than Mayne…" She paused. "I''m not sure… There''s a lot to consider. What about you?"


    "I''ve pretty much moved to Italy after my mom passed, but I was only around half the time. My family''s businesses require me to travel a lot—mostly to Europe if not back here in New York. I used to go to Australia many times before I began trusting J to be there in my stead. But staying close to my family would be nice. Grandma''s old, and I''d like to be near her when I can."


    "Same…" Ang sadly smiled as she put her phone back into her purse. "I don''t think I can stay far away from Oli and my dad for a long time. I''d like to have my peace away from them…but I also want to be near them, if you know what I mean."


    Gael nodded. He took a sip of his wine, the taste so refined and exquisite, as he mulled over her words. This was not how their dinner was supposed to go. It was as though there was an rm clock that was set to go off in the middle of his sweet dreams.


    "Why do you ask?" she wondered, a small crease forming between her brows.


    "Just curious, Babe." He smiled, brushing off the sullen thoughts and putting on his calm demeanor. Gael had to take back the reins for tonight and not let what bothered him this afternoon ruin tonight''s mood. He nodded at her te. "You ready for dessert?"


    When Ang arched a brow at him and eyed him suspiciously, he threw his head back andughed. "I meant tiramisu, Angel. But I do like what you''re thinking. We could skip dessert too and go home so I could eat mine." He winked.