Page 71 of Sweetest Sin
“I like my tree.”
“That also has to stay outside,” I tell him, making him pout again.
“I like cars!”
Okay, now, we’re getting somewhere.
“What kind of cars?”
“Ones with tires and that go fast. Lightning McQueen is my favorite!”
I look over at Peyton for some guidance, and she smiles.
“I showed him theCarsmovie while he was home sick a couple of months ago, and he became obsessed. We watched all three movies in one day.”
I’ve never heard of these movies, but I note to find time to watch them with him soon.
I GoogleCarsbedrooms and turn the screen for him to look at.
“That!” He points at the cartoon car–filled room. “I want that! And a car bed!” He looks at his mom. “Mommy, you gonna sleep in my car bed with me?”
Peyton’s eyes widen, and I smirk.
“No, buddy. Mommy is going to sleep in her own room,” I tell him.Or in my room, if I have it my way.
24
Peyton
It’s beena little over a week since we moved in with Dominick, and we’ve fallen into a bit of a routine. Dominick has breakfast with Damien and me every morning before he excuses himself to work from his office. During which time, Damien and I switch between playing in the pool, the backyard—Damien mentioned once that he wished he had a swing set, and one magically appeared the next morning—and Damien’s new bedroom, which looks likeCarsthrew up everywhere.
I’ve never seen anything get done as quickly as when Dominick snaps his fingers, but I must admit, it’s rather impressive. I can see why he’s as successful as he is. I’ve overheard him doing business from his office a few times, and he’s confident and knowledgeable, and he doesn’t accept no as an answer.
Sometimes, Dominick joins us for lunch. I’ve learned that he usually works at his office downtown, but he’s working from home because he wants to be close to Damien. He also joins us for dinner every night, and we spend the evening with Damien,watching movies, playing with his toys. Then, Dominick helps with his bedtime routine. A few times, he’s even read him a story before bed.
The first couple of nights here, after Damien went to sleep, I ventured out to the main area out of boredom. But with Martha always leaving before dinner, Dominick retreating to his office to work, and Matteo and Brielle being MIA, I’ve given up, and I now go straight to my room to watch TV or read—because after Damien’s room was turned into a child’s dream room, I moved to the room next door.
When Dominick said he wanted me to give him a chance, I thought he meantus. I even thought, when we were standing in his office, before Damien showed up, he was going to kiss me. But he hasn’t made any attempt to kiss me again, and every conversation we have revolves around Damien, making me believe that it was all in my head. Which is kind of strange since he told me he didn’t want me to date anyone else. That the idea of me kissing or fucking anyone else drove him nuts. But he did tell me that his parents were part of an arranged marriage, which is one reason there was no love between them, so maybe that’s what he’s expecting from me—a loveless arrangement. I think we’re going to have to talk because that’s not what I’m looking for. I haven’t had much luck in the love department, but I’m too young to give up on finding it.
I hear shuffling outside my door, so I walk over and peek out, wondering who I’ll see. I’ve run into Brielle a few times, but she tends to keep her distance, and Matteo comes and goes, but we don’t see him often. If it wasn’t for Dominick mentioning that both of them live here, I would never have known it.
Larisa has joined us for dinner a couple of times, and Damien seems to like her. She’s sweet, and she makes a point of trying to get to know us both. Dominick says she was very withdrawn when they were growing up, so he’s enjoying watching Damiensoften her up. But Damien seems to have warmed up to Martha the most. It probably has something to do with their daily baking sessions and the fact that she always makes him his favorite meals, despite me telling her it’s not necessary.
I always wondered what it would be like to be a stay-at-home mom, and while I enjoy getting to spend time with Damien, I can tell he’s starting to get bored. He’s been in structured childcare his entire life because of me being in school and having to work, and I think he’s missing the socialization. It doesn’t help that there are no other children here.
Which is why I’ve decided Dominick and I need to talk. And since Damien is in bed for the night, I figured now is the perfect time.
When I see it’s only Ricky standing outside my door—the guard Dominick hired to watch over Damien and me. His job is to literally follow us around to ensure we’re safe, and at night, he stands guard outside of our son’s room. I’m not even sure if the man sleeps at this point—I give him a quick head nod and then head down the stairs to Dominick’s office, where I know I’ll find him. It’s where he always is when he’s not spending time with Damien.
The door is open, and I’m about to walk in when he barks out, “I don’t give a shit!”
There’s a loud bang, and I jump, imagining it’s his fist hitting the wood desk.
“Lock him up. We need some goddamn answers. And then I’ll slice his throat myself. I’ll meet you there.”
I hold my breath, debating whether to leave or go in, but before I can decide, Dominick storms out of the door, running straight into me. Because he didn’t know I was there, I fly back, landing on the floor with a thump.
With him towering over me, flashbacks of my dad standing over my mom after he hit her flit through my mind, and I find myself closing my eyes, preparing for the worst.
