Page 12 of Sexpot
There was something about Xander that pulled me to him. Something I couldn’t put my finger on, or nail down, but I was drawn to him. What would happen when he grew bored with me though? Would I have to deal with him seeing other women? It didn’t matter, all that mattered to me was getting Andi back. I’d deal with everything else as it came, one step at a time.
“Fine, I agree. Me and Xander will discuss our living arrangements later.” Mario reaches his hand out to me and I shake it with finality. I’ve just signed my life away to a man who can probably have me killed with a snap of his fingers. I should be worried, but as soon as I release his hand, I hear the most beautiful sound in the world.
“Aunt Cassie!” Andi comes barreling around the corner; I stand to keep her from tumbling into the glass coffee table. No sooner do I stand than she trips over her own feet and lands face first on the floor.
“See that right there is why that thing,” I point behind me to the coffee table, “needs to go.” I scoop Andi up in my arms kissing her face and hugging her tight. Everyone else in the room disappears, there's just me and her in this moment.
“Aunt Cassie, did you know that’s my daddy? Can you believe it? I have a daddy.” Tears pour down my face as I hold her close to me. There’s no fear in her voice, only elation at her father finding her. Whatever Mario might be, he’s trying to be a good father.
“I know my sweet angel. I’m so happy for you.” And I am, I’m happy she has someone in her corner besides me.
“Why are you crying Aunt Cassie?” Andi grabs my face in her tiny hands and squeezes before giving me a kiss.
“They’re happy tears my sweet girl, I’m just happy to see you. I’ve missed you while you’ve been visiting your daddy. We had some things to work out, before I got to see you that’s all.” When I look up, I see a sweet looking older woman hovering behind Andi. She has a soft smile on her face as she looks at us.
“This is my mother, Maribella, Andi’s grandmother. She’s been taking care of Andi while she’s been staying with me. Momma, this is Cassie, Andi’s aunt and Xander soon to be Andi’s guardian.” Maribella gives a small hello before turning to her attention back to Andi. She’s clearly already in love with her granddaughter and it makes me want to cry even harder. Her junkie mother didn’t want anything to do with her, my own mother didn’t want anything to do with her, but the mob boss and his mother love her.
“Mario, I told you to get rid of that coffee table. Why is it still here? Where are those two goons you call help? Maribella starts stalking around the penthouse; I assume looking for Mario’s two goons. When I glance over at Mario accusingly, he just shrugs his shoulders in response while smiling.
“Yes Momma, Cassie here said the same thing. I told them to get rid of it. It will be gone by the end of today I promise Momma. Now come say goodbye to your granddaughter. Cassie and Xander will be taking her home today.” Maribella stops mid stride, sadness evident in her eyes. I hate to cause this sweet woman pain, but Andi is mine. I’ll share her with them, but she’s mine.
“You were the one who told me to do this Momma; I have done all that you ask me to do. This is in the best interests of Andi remember what you told me. Cassie has been her mother, we can’t take her away from her, those are your words Momma. We cannot go back on our word now.” So, it wasn’t Mario’s idea after all, but his mother’s. I had her to thank for giving me back my baby. Walking over to her I pull her into a hug, her arms quickly wrap around me.
“Thank you.” I whisper against her ear before pulling away.
“Thank you for taking care of my Mario’s angel. You’ve done a great job with her, she’s funny, smart, and I can tell how much she’s loved by you. What he asks of you is a sacrifice I know, and I am sorry for that. But I also know you will do anything in your power to keep her safe too.” Maribella kisses me on the cheek before walking over to Andi.
“Nonna will see you soon sweet angel. You be good for your Aunt Cassie and I will send some of those chocolate chip cookies we made yesterday.” Maribella kisses Andi on the top of the head before walking away with tears in her eyes.
“I promise Nonna; I’ll be on my best behavior. Her chocolate chip cookies are oowie, gooey, goodness Aunt Cassie. Don’t worry I promise to share them with you.” Andi says as her father pulls her into his lap.
“I’m sure Aunt Cassie will love your Nonna’s cookies as much as you do. Now my little angel, Aunt Cassie will take you with her today. But I will see you next weekend and we’ll go see those bears I told you about at the zoo with Nonna.” Mario kisses Andi on the cheek before putting her back down on her feet.
“Xander I expect you to be in your new home by the end of the week. If you need help getting it done let me know? Cassie, I’ll have a moving crew at your place tomorrow morning to get you packed up. Luca and Sloan will follow you; they’ll be the two guards staying with you. Please, let me know if I can help in any other way to make this transition smooth for Andi.” He makes it clear that this is about Andi’s comfort not our own. He’s been planning this a lot longer than the three days he’s had Andi in his custody. I want to be angry with him, but I try to put myself in his position and wonder if I wouldn’t do the same thing in his place.
“I don’t foresee a problem with finding a place by the end of this week. I’ll call my realtor on the way back to the penthouse and get things in motion. Thank you, Mario.” Xander says standing to shake Mario’s hand and we leave with Andi in tow.
Chapter Fourteen
Xander
Watching Cassie with Andi almost did me in. The love she has for Andi is palpable; it’s a living breathing thing. Cassie was willing to die to get Andi back. I’ve never known a love like that in my life. I feel like scum, dirt beneath her feettrying to benefit from that love.
“Are you sure about this Xander?” Cassie whispers as the elevator descends from Mario’s hugging Andi to her.
“Look Cassie, I know this wasn’t what either of us had planned going in there. I need you to understand that I wouldn’t have agreed if I wasn’t a hundred percent sure. We may not know each other very well, but you can’t deny there is something between us. Whatever happens from here on we will make it work together, as a team.” She looks up at me with her sapphire eyes full of doubt.
“I don’t want you to feel trapped. What if this thing between us doesn’t work out? We have to live with each other Xander, until Andi is grown. That’s a huge commitment to make to someone you barely know.” She thinks I barely know her, but she’s wrong. I know everything I need to know about her. She’s loyal, hardworking, kind, caring, giving, and self-sacrificing. Whatever skeletons she might have in her closet will pale in comparison to those things. However, she won’t believe me if I say that to her, so I give her something else instead.
“Mario said I had to let you live in a house with guards. He didn’t say I had to live with you. If this thing between us doesn’t work out I will simply buy a place of my own. It’s that simple. You are not trapping me Cassie, please believe that.” Pulling them both into my body, I let myself absorb the love that flows through both of them just for a minute. Andi turns around in Cassie’s arms and wraps her tiny arms around my arms hugging me tightly.
“Mr. Xander, can I geta puppy? I’ve always wanted a puppy, but Aunt Cassie says we can’t have one in an apartment. But Daddy said you’re getting a house, so does that mean we can get a puppy.” Oh my god this kid can have a million puppies she’s so damn cute and sweet. I can already tell she’s going to have me wrapped around her little finger before we even make it to my place.
“How about we find a house first Andi?” Cassie saves me from answering, but I make a mental note to take Andi to the shelter as soon as we close on a house. Pulling out my phone, I send my realtor a quick text letting her know exactly what I need. I get a quick response back saying she’ll have something soon.
“My realtor is going to start looking for us places to view, in the meantime let’s go grab some of your things from your apartment so you have them at my place. We can grab some lunch along the way. How does that sound?” I look down at Andi smiling.
“Can we get McDonalds? Can we Aunt Cassie?” I really hope Cassie doesn’t say no, because I might just have to get in trouble with her and take Andi anyway if she does.
