Page 11 of Sexpot
“In such a hurry sweet Cassie, I will bring her out shortly. We have much to discuss you and I before I bring her out.” We all sit on the leather couches; they are so lush I want to moan in pleasure at how comfortable they are. Mario takes the opposite couch facing me, while Xander chooses to take the space right next to me, holding my hand. Even though I’m still angry he didn’t tell me he knew Mario, I have a feeling I’m going to need his comfort before this meeting is complete.
Chapter Twelve
Xander
I hate the way he’s smiling at her; I hate the fact that there is nothing I can fucking do about it, and I hate that he knows it. The one man with more power in Vegas than I do and he’s the father of Cassie’s niece. What were the odds? I’ll tell you what the fucking odds were astrofuckingnomical that’s what the odds were.
“Now Cassie, I understand how upset you must be that we took my daughter out of your care, but I assure I have nothing but the best of intentions where my daughter is concerned. You see her mother gave you something that wasn’t hers to give. I’ve been in contact with her, and she now agrees that Andromeda should live with me.” Of course, she does, because if she didn’t agree to his terms, she’d probably be in a shallow grave out in the desert somewhere.
“She no longer has any say in how Andi is raised. She gave up that right when she handed her to me and just left without looking back. Andi is mine in every way except blood. Give her back to me.” Cassie’s vibrating with anger, and she has every right to, but what I can’t let her do is piss off Mario.
“I understand you anger sweet Cassie; I do.” Mario sounds genuine in his sympathy.
“If it makes you feel any better, I agree with you, she no longer has a say in how Andromeda is raised. I’ve been searching for her since I found out she was pregnant. She hid that from me sweet Cassie. So, you see we are both victims of your sister’s selfishness.” I highly doubt Mario has ever been a victim of anything in his life. He was probably more pissed that a druggie could outsmart them than anything else.
“Years, I’ve raised that baby for years and she’s never called, written, or sent a fucking messenger pigeon. But she talked to you. Of course, she would talk to the mob boss, who wouldn’t talk to the mob boss when he calls.” Cassie is starting to fling her hands in the air as she talks and stands beginning to pace. There’s a slightly hysterical edge to her voice.
“Does she do this often?” Mario leans over to ask me like he’s afraid of what she’ll do next.
“I’ve only known her for a few days, I’m not sure. I’d say this whole situation has set her nerves on end. I think she might be broken.” I eye Cassie as she starts to mumble to herself while she continues to pace. Then suddenly she stops and plops back down on the couch.
“Did she even ask about Andi? Did she ask about me? Is she alright? Is she clean?” Mario looks over at me like he wants me to help him with this mess in front of me. All I can do is shrug in response, because I got no idea how to deal with Cassie right now.
“I’m sorry to disappoint you sweet Cassie, but Athena did not ask anything about her daughter.” Mario reaches over to pat Cassie’s hand and I want to rip his fucking arm off for touching her.
“The only thing she was concerned with was whether or not I was coming for her. Once I assured her that I wasn't, that was the last conversation we had. She has my number; she knows where to find me. If she decides she wants a relationship with our daughter she knows what to do, but I doubt that will happen. I am sorry.” Mario looks genuinely apologetic about the situation. Maybe this is just a case of a father wanting his kid back. Cassie just nods in response to Mario before shifting forward on the couch, leaning closer to him.
“What exactly are your plans for Andi? I know you're some big bad mob boss, but she’s been mine since she was born. I’ll fight you if I have to, hell I’ll die trying if I have to, but I’m not just giving that little girl up. Her own mother did that, I won’t do that to her again. So, either kill me now or you let me see my niece.” I instinctively reach for her and pull her closer to me, not that I could do anything if Mario decided to kill her right now. Mario leans back on the couch running his fingers down his goatee with a knowing smirk on his face.
“Relax sweet Cassie, I will not keep you from my daughter. On the contrary, I have a very nice arrangement I’d like to put forth for you both. If you agree to my terms you can take Andromeda home with you.” I narrow my eyes at Mario, because I don’t trust the man, or any deal he wants to make. The fact that he’s included me in the deal makes me wary. Cassie on the other hand looks back at me with a bright smile before turning back to Mario. Fuck, if it will make her happy, I’ll sell my fucking soul to this asshole. Mario quirks his eyebrow at me waiting for my response.
“Alright, tell us what the deal is.” Mario’s smile grows, which tells me I’m probably going to hate whatever it is he’s asking me for.
“Cassie and Andromeda will move in with you, Xander.” I nod, all right so far this was my plan to begin with, move them out of that shithole they were in and live with me. I can live with that, but of course, he’s not finished.
“You need to find a house, a big one, with a backyard. I don’t want my daughter growing up without a backyard. I’ve already purchased my own home outside the city for that very reason.” Now I’m confused, was he planning for Andi to live with us or him.
“My daughter is precious to me, more precious than my own life, or my business. Contrary to what your sister might have thought, I would have taken very good care of her and our child. Because she is so precious, my enemies will try to get to her. Your job will be to insure she is properly protected. Two of my men will live on site to help with security, but you will need to have men of your own on staff as well.” Cassie glances back at me, grabbing my hand, panic in her eyes. She’s become my weakness, in less than a week she’s become my weakness.
“Cassie, your only job will be to take care of Andromeda. I enrolled Andromeda into a private school with security. Don’t worry I will be compensating you for taking care of her. I’m sure you’ll miss all the income you had coming in from Jiggles and Giggles.” The way Mario is looking at her I just know he’s seen her dance and it pisses me off. He’s offered her the same deal I gave her, only for the rest of Andi’s life. Which means I’ll be involved in the rest of Andi’s life. What does that mean for Cassie and me?
“I think you have the wrong idea about me and Xander, Mario. We’re not a couple, we barely know each other. I’m sure he doesn’t want to be saddled with someone else’s kid. I’ll agree to everything you’ve asked, but I can’t in good conscience agree to forcing Xander to live with us. That’s not fair to him.” Cassie looks back at me squeezing my hand. She thinks she’s saving me from something I don’t want, but she’s already everything to me. Andi is like a bonus in my prize box with her.
“I’ll do it. Anything else?” I blurt out. Cassie gasps looking back at me with shock in her eyes shaking her head.
“No, Xander you can’t…” Before she can argue more Mario claps his hands together bringing our attention back to him.
“Yes, there is a little more. Cassie, over the next six months we will do visits between me and Andromeda, longer if that’s what it takes. Eventually my goal is to have her come visit me in my home twice a month for a weekend at a time once we both feel she is comfortable enough, but only if we both agree. Then maybe during the summer she can stay for longer. I’ll also pay for one vacation per year; anywhere you want to take her, as long as my men go with you.” Holy shit, Mario really does just want to be a part of his kid’s life. I can’t fault him for that, and he has a few years to make up for. I think my respect level for him just went up about six notches.
Chapter Thirteen
Cassie
“Are neither of you going to listen to me? Just pretend like I’m not right here?” I want to scream at both of them that it’s the twenty-first century and they don’t get to decide who I live with.
“Sweet Cassie, of course we will listen to you. Your argument was Xander wouldn’t want to be saddled with someone else’s kid. Xander clearly doesn’t have a problem with it so we are moving on. Andi is rather impatient to see you. Do you wish to keep squabbling over minor details or do you want to see your niece?” I purse my lips, because no, I don’t want to wait any longer to see Andi, but I also don’t want to give in so easily.
Is it really giving in though? I’d already agreed to be Xander’s whore for six months to get Andi back. Mario’s deal was a much better offer. I didn’t have to pimp myself out, I got Andi, got paid to take care of Andi, and we’d both be living somewhere better. The only downside, living with Xander for the foreseeable future, but was that really a downside.
