Page 38 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

It’s a trick tightrope that I will have to walk and I admit to myself that I will be tricking her into thinking I care in a way that I never can.

However, I do remember a few things about the way that civilized men act and I have some ideas about the ways that I can impress upon her that I am actually trying to date her this time and earn her affection.

I grin at the idea that comes to mind and paint another flourish on the canvas before me. Yes, I think my new tactic will work very well.

***

I tap my foot as the security person sends the bag I brought with me through the X-ray machine. I’m impressed that the Baldinis have created what is essentially an airport security checkpoint to get into and out of the house.

Even the family members pass through it when they come and go from their homes. However, it does add an unnecessary amount of time to the process of getting into the mansion, which I find to be tedious.

“Here you go, sir,” the security person says, passing my backpack over to me now that it has been scanned and checked.

“Thanks,” I tell the man even though I feel like being churlish.

“This way,” Luca tells me, as if I don’t remember where Kate’s little bedroom is in the huge house.

I look at the art hanging on the walls, the vases and tapestries scattered around us as we walk. My heels echo on the cold, stone floors.

I don’t think that the Baldinis have the best taste and I find it to be confusing that this huge home seems to be largely uninhabited these days. It could have housed all of the Baldini boys and their families with ease, but I suppose maybe they can’t get along with one another if they live in such close proximity.

“Have fun,” Luca says to me with a broad wink when we come to the hallway that leads to Kate’s room. A security person stands outside the door, and they step aside to let me in.

I wonder if they have security following her all day long, or if this is just a special touch due to my presence.

I step into Kate’s room, which is empty. I feel my heart sink a little. I was hoping she would have let me meet our son this time.

“Amore?” I call, closing the door behind me. I set the backpack down against the wall and lean my back against the door.

I don’t have to wait long before Kate comes out of the bathroom. She is dressed in tight jeans and a silky top today and I have to admit that she looks amazing.

There’s something ethereal and timeless about her looks. You could drop her into any decade and she would be considered a beauty.

“Are we using loving nicknames again?” she says skeptically. She is fastening a bracelet around her wrist and she shakes her arm a little to ensure it is firmly clasped before looking up at me again.

“Would you rather that I didn’t?” I ask her.

She shrugs. “Whatever makes you comfortable is fine with me.” She takes a seat on the edge of the bed and crosses her legs. “You wanted to talk to me?”

I shake my head. “No, I wanted to spend time with you.”

She makes a face at this as if she doubts me, but she doesn’t argue. I pick up the backpack and bring it over with me to the bed. I take a seat on the opposite side of the bed and unzip the bag.

“What’s that?” she asks, crossing her arms over her chest as if they might protect her from me. “More bribes?”

I glance at her, trying not to take the bait and be annoyed, but the words irritate me. My gaze cuts over to the large vase of flowers by the bed, then back to her face. “Most women appreciate gifts, but I know that you aren’t most women. I didn’t bring any more presents.”

She frowns a little. “So what’s in the bag?”

I grin at her and I see her respond to my change of emotion for a moment against her will. I pull out a small stack of board games from my bag and set them on the bed between us. “I brought us entertainment.”

She stares at the cardboard boxes for a moment, clearly caught off guard. “You want to play board games with me?” she says.

I nod and pick one of the games from the stack. I set the others on the floor. “Yes,” is all I say.

She remains silent while I set up the board game that I chose, not offering to help or hinder me. I carefully open the Ziplock baggies of pieces and set up her playing piece, then dole out the other cards and fake money we both need to play the game.

“The Game of Life?” she asks me, still clearly not believing what is happening.

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