Page 76 of The Deal

“Is thatputtanagoing with you?”

My lips thin. “I warned you about referring to her as that.”

“I heard Giovanni telling Mimi she went fishing with you both. I told you I didn’t want that woman around my child. She’s a bad influence.”

“And how did you come to that conclusion?”

“She’s shacking up with a man who isn’t her husband.”

I arch an eyebrow. “You were pregnant with an unknown man’s child when you trapped me into marrying you, so I hardly feel like you are in a position to judgeanyone, Sophia. Chloe adores our son, and is a positive influence in his life.”

“Do you love her?”

Yes, I’m pretty sure I do.

“That’s none of your business.”

She rolls her eyes before pausing to tap the tip of her finger against her chin like she is mulling something over, but she’s just stalling to get under my skin.

“I guess I could take an extended trip to Italy if I wasn’t burdened down with a child. Maybe Paris … the options are endless.” The fact that she just referred to her son as a burden rattles me to the very core. This woman does not deserve that sweet boy. “It will be expensive though …”

“Name your price. There is nothing I wouldn’t pay to keep Giovanni safe.”

She gives me a smug grin, like she thinks she has me over a barrel, but she has no idea who she’s dealing with. I’ve got endless money at my disposal; if she asked for a million dollars or even two, I wouldn’t bat an eyelid.

“Hmm. First class flights, the best hotels money could by … some spending money.”

“Give me a figure, Sophia,” I growl.

“Two hundred and fifty grand should cover it.”

“Done. I’ll have the money deposited into your account first thing in the morning.”

She sits up straighter in her seat. “Seriously … you’re not even going to try to negotiate?”

“I was prepared to give you more, so no.”

Her eyes widen. “You were?”

“I told you to name your price.”

“Damn,” she mumbles under her breath as she rises from the sofa and straightens her dress—if you could call the tiny piece of fabric she’s wearing a dress.

“Go and pack him a suitcase. I’m taking him with me now.”

“Mimi,” she calls out. A few seconds later, Mimi appears at the top of the staircase. “Pack some clothes for Giovanni; he’s going to stay with his father for a while.”

“I can’t believe mummy is letting me stay the night,” Giovanni says as I help him step into his pyjama pants. His little hand is resting on my shoulder for balance as he slides each leg through the holes.

“She’s letting you stay for multiple nights. Tomorrow we are going to the cabin.”

“Is Chloe coming with us?”

“She is.”

He punches the air, making me chuckle. “Yes!”

I would never tell him what is really going on; he doesn’t need to know. His mother didn’t give him an explanation either. She just kissed him goodbye and told him to have fun.

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