Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
I walked her through the living room, the kitchen, Matteo’s wing, the library, and the theater room. She smiled when Matteo showed her his dinosaur shelf, introducing her to his favorites.
Her appreciative smiles sent my mind to a place I hadn’t let it wander in too many years. To a future that had never existed, where Ren and I were together, building a life and a business. The future that could have been ours if not for family obligations. And decisions I made unilaterally. What could’ve been.
I shook the thought off and led her to the other wing of the house. “These are your rooms.”
Ren stepped inside and looked around, hardly noticing the tall windows or the window seat I knew she would love. The room was cozy and quiet, in other words, perfect for her. “Thank you,” she said. “It’s perfect.” Her tone was polite and neutral.
I fucking hated it. “Unpack,” I instructed. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Can I stay with Ren?” Matteo asked.
She nodded when I looked at her. “We can continue getting to know one another since we’ll be spending so much time together.”
I stood in the hall for longer than I should have, then forced myself to walk away. My office was on the other side of the house, giving me plenty of time to shake off the way Ren made me feel. The memories that surfaced when she was around.
The moment I closed the door, I called Luca. “I found a nanny,” I said without preamble the minute he picked up the call.
“Someone you trust?”
“Yes,” I answered, nodding even though he couldn’t see me. “I trust her.”
“Someone good with Mattie?”
“So far, so good,” I answered, smiling as I thought of all the questions they’d asked and answered.
There was a beat of silence as if he was waiting for me to say what he was trying like hell not to.
“You knew she was in Texas,” I accused. There was coincidence, and then there was whatever the hell had brought me storming into Ren’s office.
Luca didn’t respond immediately, but his silence was answer enough. “You never got over her, and this small town was as good as any other,” he said and changed the topic as if we were done. “I’m in Chicago right now, and I’ll be coming with a small security team not associated with the family. I know it’s unorthodox,” he began, but I cut him off.
“I get it. Not sure who we can trust. Thanks, Luca.”
“Not necessary,” he answered tersely before turning to other business topics.
“When will you be here?”
“In about thirty-six hours.” There was a beat of silence before he spoke again. “So, how was it seeing her again?”
I groaned. “More beautiful than ever. Successful. Cold. But she quickly won Matteo over. And she hates me. Still.”
He laughed. “Good thing you’ll be stuck together twenty-four-seven. That’s plenty of time to charm her. If that’s what you want.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “It doesn’t really matter what I want.”
“Maybe,” he agreed. “Maybe not, but time and proximity have a way of changing hearts and minds.” I could practically hear his shrug. “I’ve never known you to be afraid of anything, so don’t let fear get in the way of what you want.”
“Something to consider, maybe. For now, I need to focus on the business.” And let Ren focus on Matteo.
Ren was here and Matteo was safe, making the danger feel distant.
For now.
But it was a temporary feeling, and I needed to remember that. Danger never stayed in the distance for long.
Chapter 7
Serenity
By the third morning, Mattie and I had fallen into a comfortable routine. Each morning we gathered at the big kitchen island with sunlight slanting in through the windows. The house was still mostly quiet during those first few minutes except for the hum of the coffeemaker. Over a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast cut into fourths, and bacon, Mattie and I talked about our plans for the day.
Enzo usually joined us with his crisp sleeves rolled up and his ever-present jacket nowhere in sight. He drank his coffee black, standing most of the time, listening more than he spoke. When we talked about plans for the day—lessons, outside time, reading, creative work—he nodded along, occasionally asking a question that proved he’d been paying attention all along.
He was a good dad, something that had become clear very early on. He and Mattie had an easy relationship filled with casual affection, smiles, and an admirable honesty that spoke to a deep level of mutual trust. He listened when Mattie spoke and gently corrected him when necessary. There was nothing performative in Enzo’s style of parenting, and I hated that I noticed anything good about Enzo, more than I could’ve possibly guessed. There was still good in him, and if I was being honest with myself, he wasn’t some hardened criminal; at least he wasn’t just that.