Page 31 of Hidden Rocco
She was his best hope but he'd have to be clear that it was a job--he wouldn't accept a handout. He wiped his face and said, “No. No, it wasn’t. It was all Roger.”
His mother started, “But-”
Again he interrupted because this wasn’t her fault at all, and his brother had been a bad person, not her. “Mom, I’m getting some money transferred to you.”
“Don’t. You need it.”
“I need you, Mom. You’re all I have when I’m trying to appeal.”
She sighed. “I’ll always be with you, even when I’m not here physically anymore.”
“You’re my only character witness now. I need you.” She didn’t need to die. Not today. His voice deepened. “When I get you help, you will take it. I have to go, Mom.”
“Help yourself first, Rocco.”
They both said, “Goodbye.”
He closed his eyes and listened to the breeze that brushed against the newly formed leaves emerging on an oak tree near the staff’s entrance.
The one vacation he’d ever taken in Vegas had turned out to be five years in prison when Roger tried to clean out the hotel’s bank, using Rocco’s identity and now that was likely a lifetime in jail now that he’d escaped to ensure his mother took care of her health.
No one cared when he’d said he was innocent. His appeals remained unanswered.
But that was a past he couldn’t change. He needed his mother to not give up, no matter the odds. Like Mica.
He let out his breath slowly, drawing out the peaceful moment.
The birds sang so sweetly in the tree he’d put their nest in.
Then the voice of an angel called out, “Are you okay?”
Money for money's sake was evil, but now that had to take precedence over anything else. He met Mica's gaze and knew better than to wish for what he’d never be able to have.
He glanced at the door. “I’ll be inside in a few minutes to read, Mica.”
“We’ll be waiting.” She motioned with her hand to follow.
If things were different, he’d follow her anywhere. But she deserved to be with a man who was worthy of her. He was too tainted, even if she offered more. All they had was now.
Chapter 9
Jacob fell asleep in Mica’s arms as she sat at her office desk in her suite upstairs. Her glass desk and white leather chair were identical to what she had in her New York offices, not that the décor mattered.
Her mind drifted to remember her son’s brown eyes which were hypnotizing and beautiful.
This, her and Jacob together, had been enough for her for months.
The idea of having this boy kept her strong when she’d been so weak throughout her pregnancy, her determination to keep this baby meant finding a treatment for the poison Ali had tried to kill her with.
But she was lucky. She had the resources to have state-of-the-art everything.
Rocco, the man downstairs who stirred her heart, hadn’t had the best at his fingertips. And he needed his mom just as she needed Jacob.
She stood, carefully put Jacob in his crib in the adjoining bedroom of her suite and started to relax when her phone rang from where she’d left it next to the computer.
Mica quickly grabbed it and saw her secretary's name, and a text about legal. Now she’d do everything to ensure he had the chance to reunite with his mother.
Luckily Jacob stayed asleep. Mica sat in her chair, glancing out of her large bay window. Rocco had gone back outside again. He’d spent the afternoon near the tree, and the birds.
