Page 108 of Coerced Queen

Anya

“Ithought we were going to a restaurant,” I say, leaning down to catch a glimpse through the windscreen as Kevin takes the familiar turn to Park Slope.

Saverio sits quietly next to me in the SUV, his big hand resting possessively over mine on the seat between us.He looks hot in a modern three-piece suit with a silver tie.The eyepatch as well as the gold hoop earring give him a distinctive edge of roughness and danger.

“I forgot something at home,” he says.

I turn my head to face him.“A gun?”

His lips quirk at my sarcasm.He’s very much aware of the fact that I know he keeps a gun under his seat at all times, even when Claire is strapped into her car seat in the row behind us.Especiallywhen Claire is in the car with us.

If I’m waiting for his comeback, it seems I’ll be waiting a long time.Unease washes over me.He’s been unusually quiet since the Jacuzzi incident when I slipped up and mentioned the L-word.

“Is everything all right?”I ask.

His expression softens.Leaning over, he presses a kiss on my lips.“Everything is perfect,tesoro.”

“You’re keeping something from me.”

The minute tightening of his eye tells me I’m right.

“What’s going on, Saverio?”

He rubs a thumb over my knuckles, the gesture meant to be soothing.“Nothing.Just relax.I want you to enjoy the evening.”

I want to protest, but Kevin pulls through the gates of Saverio’s property.

“Come with me,” Saverio says, giving my hand a squeeze when the car comes to a stop.“Livy will stay with Claire.”

As if the plan was agreed on beforehand, Livy and Dante get out of the car that followed behind us and come over.

A guard gets Saverio’s door.He climbs out of the car and takes his cane from the back before coming around to open my door.Accepting the hand he offers, I let him help me to my feet.

The evening breeze is cold.I pull my coat tighter around me.

“We’ll just be a moment,” he says to Livy, who’s wearing her favorite faux fur coat and hat over her sari.

“Don’t worry.”Livy winks.“Dante and I are right here with Claire.You go ahead.”

They’re all in on something.I know it.Maybe Saverio wants to give me a birthday gift before we go to the restaurant.We decided to take Claire with us because I wasn’t comfortable leaving her at home with a nanny I don’t know.Instead, Saverio suggested taking a nanny to the restaurant who could take care of Claire if she got fussy.He wanted me to fully enjoy the meal.We contacted a reputable agency and interviewed several nannies before deciding on an elderly lady with many years of experience that reminded me of a sweet little granny.

The nanny herself, Rosemary, comes down the steps of the porch as Saverio puts my hand on the crook of his arm and leads me to the house.

“Mrs.and Mr.De Luca,” Rosemary says in a self-assured manner, extending a hand to greet us.

She wears baby-blue slacks and a matching cardigan, looking both smart and comfortable.Her gray hair is cut into a fashionable pixie style, and her light make-up is flawless.

“I’m so sorry,” I say, shaking her hand.“I thought we were meeting at the restaurant.I hope you didn’t wait long.”

I cast a questioning look at Saverio.Was there a change of plans?Is that why we came past the house?

“Not at all.”Rosemary looks over my shoulder to where Livy and Dante stand next to the SUV.“Can I say hello to Claire?”

We introduced her to Claire during her interview, and Claire was happy to be picked up and carried on Rosemary’s hip.

“Of course,” I say.“I already packed a bag with everything Claire will need for the restaurant.”Noticing her own absence of a handbag, I add, “If you’d like to get your bag, we’ll be off soon.”

Rosemary’s smile is indulgent, adding to my suspicion that something is off.

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