Page 151 of The Bonus

“What?”

“Do you like what you see?”

“Nope.” I pull my gown closed tighter. “Hideous.”

“Ah…” He sips his coffee. “You told me I was hideous once before.”

“I did?” I frown.

“Yes, right before you told me you fucked my computer mouse.”

Oh hell…I’ll never live that down.

“Yes, well…” I feel my face flush with embarrassment, “…my stationery intercourse days are well and truly over.”

“Shame.”

“Or not.” I need to change the subject. “Why do you have someone watching me?”

“Because I want you safe.”

“I am safe.”

“If the press get a hold of this info about you and the children, you will have reporters camping out the front, this is for your protection, not mine.”

I don’t want him knowing everything I do. “No.”

“It’s nonnegotiable, Grace, and not up for discussion.” His eyes hold mine in a silent dare.

I may be seeing this slightly new and improved version of Gabriel Ferrara for the first time, but his strongest instinct is still to fight. I don’t have the energy for more dramatics today, I’m going to let it go for now.

“Go upstairs and wake the kids, they need to get up now anyway,” I tell him.

“Okay.”

“I’m going to make some breakfast. Do you want some?”

“Ah…” His eyes flick to the kitchen as he hesitates. “Ah…”

He’s scared to eat my cooking, I roll my lips to hide my smile. “I’ll make you something special.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“It would be nice for you to eat breakfast with the kids, go wake them up.”

He disappears up the stairs and I open the fridge and peer in.

Now, what’s the worst breakfast I can possibly make?

Gabriel

I make my way up the stairs and down the hallway. I catch sight of Lucia sitting up in bed, her hair is all messed and she’s in a cute pink nightdress and reading a book.

What child reads a book when they first wake up? She’s a literal genius.

“You’re such a good girl, no wonder that your mother is so proud of you.”

She smiles sweetly over at me and I feel my heart melt. “I bet you were the cutest little baby.” I sit down beside her on the edge of the bed.

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