Page 62 of Ruthless Mafia Daddy

Arielle

“Mama, look! It’s Mickey!” Jason yelled, rushing to stand in front of the TV and butchering the theme song with his babbles like he does whenever the show comes on.

I watched him with a smile as I packed his lunch and threw in some changes of clothes and diapers into his backpack. He was a bundle of joy and the spitting image of his father. My eyes were the only part of him that indicated I took part in his making.

“Come on, baby. Time to dress up.” I beckoned to him, holding out his shirt to him.

He reluctantly left his position to stand in front of me with his arms spread out. “Will you be gone long?”

I felt my heart squeeze. “No, baby. Mummy has a job interview, and if everything goes well, I’ll get you that toy you like at the mall.”

His eyes instantly lit up at my promise. “Really?” I don’t think he understood what an interview is, but the part about his toy had him hooked.

“Yes,” I replied, folding his collar. “So, you be a good boy and don’t give Aunt Annalise any troubles.”

“I never give any troubles,” he pouted, a mischievous glint playing behind his eyes, and his face completely morphed into Mikhail’s. I chuckled, feeling that dull ache in my chest intensify. Sometimes, I felt Jason’s striking resemblance to Mikhail was the universe’s curse to me, a constant reminder of what I was running from.

The ache wasn’t as bad as it was in the beginning, and it didn’t make me keel over in pain, but I still felt it sneak up on me every once in a while, like a ghost haunting an abandoned house. Never threatening, but always present.

It was worse in the cold nights of my last trimester and the first few months following Jason’s birth when he fell sick, and I was scared shitless with no one to talk to. It was worse when I fell into postpartum depression and had no support system. And when the money finally started running short, and I had to get a job, I almost made up my mind to return to New York and face whatever was waiting for me, but a nice young lady across the street befriended me, and things slowly became bearable.

“So, you won’t try to climb the peach tree behind?”

“Yes, mama.”

I smiled and ruffled his black hair. “Good boy. Go get your lunch pack.”

I gave myself a once over in the mirror close to our quaint dining room, making sure my brown wig was tightly secured and my contacts sat in place. It’s been three years, and I still found myself looking over my shoulder and flinching whenever I heard the name Henry.

“What did we say about staying with Aunt Annalise?” I asked as we made our way to her apartment.

“No climbing trees and troubles.”

“Good boy,” I replied, ringing Anna’s doorbell.

“If it's not my favorite boy in the whole world!” Anna grinned, lifting a squealing Jason into a bone-crushing hug.

“Hey.”

“Feeling nervous?” she asked, putting Jason back on his feet and letting him into the house.

“I couldn't hold down a cup of coffee,” I sighed, leaning on the door frame. “I really need this, Anna. Jason will be starting school soon and the money will go a long way.”

“You're amazing, Cara. You’ll crush it,” she replied, reaching out to softly squeeze my hand.

I returned her smile, “I hope so.”

I often wondered what I’d do without her help. All the nights, picking extra shifts at the lounge, and on the weekends, I had to work overtime to make extra cash. She was honestly an angel, and I don’t think I could ever repay her kindness.

I opened my mouth to say thank you, but she beat me to it with a straight look. “Before wasting your time pouring gratitude at my feet, I'll have you know the train will be taking off in thirty minutes.”

I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. “And I was worried Jason was picking up sass from the TV, not knowingthe influence is right beneath my nose. Call me if he needs anything.”

“I won’t. Now off you go.” She practically shooed me out of her house.

A glance at my watch revealed that Anna was not bluffing, and I practically raced down the stairs.

“Good morning, Cara,” Aldo, the security guy greeted, and I returned I waved in return.

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