Page 24 of Secret Baby for the Italian Mafia King

“Just…a few things for me,” she says. “I thought you said we should both get some—”

“I did. Why are they in here?” Only her confused silence answers. “When you’re done, you’ll take everything that’s yours up to my bedroom. You’ll be sleeping there from now on. Harper can have this room.”

“I get a room all by myself?” the little girl yells, oblivious to the tension in her mother’s stance, the cold expression in her eyes.

“Husband and wife sleep together, Nadia.” When she doesn’t answer, I draw my finger under her chin, force that burning gaze to meet mine. “I don’t think I heard you.”

“Yes, sir,” she grits out.

“Better. We’ll talk more about what’s expected of you up there.” I turn to Harper, who is still looking through the clothes that have been hung up in the big walk-in closet, skimming through them over and over with a look of utter fascination.

“…Do you like your new clothes, Harper?” I ask.

She turns with a big toothy grin. “Yeah, I love them!”

I glance toward Nadia, second-guessing my own instructions. Maybe sleeping next to her isn’t the smartest move. By the look on her face, she might want to kill me.

9

Nadia

There are rules to being Ren Caruso’s wife, whether I want to play by them or not. The first, he tells me, is that we’re going to share a bed together—like a proper husband and wife. As if there’s anythingproperabout this arrangement. I am told to gut the tiny place I had carved out for myself in his townhouse and move it all into his bedroom on the topmost floor, the same as his office.

I swallow my objections. The truth is, I wouldn’t have a single scrap of any of this if it weren’t for Ren; I don’t know if I have the right to start making demands, but I sure as hell don’t have the leverage. Not with Harper in the mix.

With vengeance, I start ripping the brand-new clothes out of my closet and throwing them over my arm.

Harper isn’t old enough to understand exactly how much we struggled, at least not compared to other people. What you grow up with is just the norm. For Harper, the norm has always been being uprooted and strung along from place to place, putting things back in the store, and promises of “Maybe next time.” I tried to make sure she never missed out on being happy, but I couldn’t give her everything she wanted or everything she deserved. Sometimes, it just came down to what she needed, and that was all we could manage.

Until now. In a matter of days, Harper has been showered in new clothes, given her own room, and set free in a real, multistory townhome. She’s fucking starstruck.

I brought her to Ren because I thought he could give her a good lifestyle with someone he trusted. I didn’t expect him to give herhislifestyle. But if that’s possible for her, if it’s something my little girl can have—then it’s up to me to make sure she gets to keep it. No matter what.

I make my way to Ren’s bedroom with an armful of new clothes and a bag of makeup. My thoughts are noisy, nerves frayed. How am I going to lie next to him again? Like lying next to a corpse, it will hurt and disgust me all at once.

Olivia passes me on the landing. She takes one look at the clothes and scoffs.

“So, what I brought you wasn’t enough?”

“Maybe if I only needed to dress myself four times a week.”

Her smile tightens at the corners, and she takes half a step in my way as I try to pass by.

“I know what you’re playing at, Nadia. You will not take advantage of this man, not while I’m here,” she whispers, her voice a low, cruel warning, “I will personally see to that.” Her gaze flicks to the clothes again, her smile tight. “Run out this little game while you can, but don’t get cozy. It won’t last.”

She marches past me, high heels tapping on the stairs.

…Me? Take advantage of Ren?!

“Are you out of your mind?” I call after her, but Olivia doesn’t turn back.

I don’t understand how anyone can look at me and think I’m the one in a position of power or able to take advantage of anything. My suspicion that she’s sleeping with him solidifies into belief, and I stomp up the rest of the stairs.

Ren’s room is right next to his office. I am struck numb by the same view from the window. The world outside isn’t gray and dreary anymore. The night has turned the water into a black mirror, reflecting golden lights, just the way I always remember it. I catch myself staring at the scene. For a few breathless seconds, I am seventeen again.

He sleeps in here.

I hate that he can stomach it. Ren walks around this house all day, oblivious and impervious, while this scene has haunted me for years.Does he even remember?I shove his clothes out of my way, taking up all the room I want. I hear him follow me from his office. He watches me, and I feel his eyes following my every move as I march back and forth from the bed to the closet.

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