Page 26 of The Devil's Den

“You ready?” she asks, moving him toward me, my heart hammering as I get ready to hold him against me, nervous I may drop him in this position.

But as soon as he’s in my arms, I wrap the towel around him, and place him gently over my chest.

“You’re doing great,” Ms. Greco reassures as I caress his back, his little head against my shoulder, making my heart explode. He doesn’t make a sound, just lies there, like he’s content to be withme. Like I’m somehow special, which I’m not. Maybe he just doesn’t realize it yet.

We head for my bedroom, placing him on my bed as Ms. Greco grabs one of his one-piece pajamas from the closet.

She helps me dress him, lifting his head when I’m too afraid to do it myself. But I’ll have to get used to it. She won’t always be here. With the bottle already made and sitting on my nightstand, I pick him up, cradling him like the first time.

He sucks on the bottle, looking up at me, staring sweetly the entire time, his body small and fragile. This perfect baby has got to be one of the unluckiest. Because to end up here, you have to be.

* * *

MATTEO AGE 15

When she visits me today, she isn’t alone. In her arms is a baby named Robby and all I do is stare. Compared to us, he’s so small. Too small for a place like this.

“I don’t get it. How the hell did he get the baby?” My eyes are unable to look anywhere but at him, curled in her arms with a dinosaur shirt which snaps around his diaper.

“His mom is supposedly in prison and my dad’s the father.”

I shake my head, huffing out a breath. “You can’t keep him here, Aida. They’ll hurt him. You know that. He’s too damn small to defend himself.”

She tilts up her chin. “I’ll defend him.”

“Aida…” What do I say that she doesn’t already know? That she’s just a kid herself? That if her father wanted to kill them both, he could in a second?

“He’s my brother, Matteo. What else can I do? It’s not like I can pawn him off to someone safer. He’s stuck with us, as bad as that is.”

I release a long sigh. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry.” Her brows knit as she takes a step closer, standing over me.

“You’re sure your dad didn’t steal him or something?” It wouldn’t shock me if he killed some family and stole the kid.

“I hope not, but that’s what Ms. Greco thinks.” She rocks Robby in her arms, her golden hair swaying as she hums “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” those hazel eyes glimmering in the sparkle of the light above.

“Can I hold him?” I ask, which is probably stupid. Why would I want to hold a baby? But he’s just so damn cute.

“Umm…” Her gaze widens.

“I promise, I won’t break him.” I chuckle. It’s adorable how protective she is of him already, even while only having him a day.

“Okay.” She clears her throat, biting into the inside of her lower lip. “Make sure you secure his head, just like I am.” She kneels so I can see better. “And also, hold him under his legs.”

“I think I got it.” I smile, loving how cute she is when she’s serious.

“Okay.” But she still doesn’t hand me the baby, her gaze darting between us, like at any second, she’s gonna bolt.

“Aida, I don’t have to hold him if you don’t want me to.”

“No, no, it’s fine.” She giggles nervously. “I’m being too much of an annoying big sis, isn’t that right, Robby?” She lowers him into my arms. “I think we’ll be okay if Matteo holds you for a minute.”

“Maybe two minutes?” I tease.

“Ha, ha.” She rolls her eyes mockingly.

“Hey there, buddy,” I say, my eyes now wandering over this small thing in my arms. “How you doing in this crazy world?”

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