Page 54 of Captive Vow (Mafia Marriages 2)

She texts me her address, just in case. Dropping the phone back on the bedside table, I dive into my book.

Not two minutes into my story, the adjoining door squeaks open.

“Nova?” I glance at the door to find Moreno standing there, staring at me again.

Is he planning on making it a habit to come into my bedroom unannounced?

I place my tablet down on the bed and stare up at him.

He’s wearing jeans and a black t-shirt. His hair is ruffled a bit. It looks like he was helping with the repairs in the playroom. There’s dried paint on his jeans and a smudge on his arm and cheek.

“Nova went down for bed without any trouble.” I can only imagine that he’s come into my room to talk about his daughter.

After the day we had, I don’t blame him for wanting to check in on her, especially since he seemed non-existent for the afternoon.

“That’s good. And I saw you bathed her.” He takes a seat at the edge of my bed.

“Yeah, we both kind of stunk after the fire,” I say.

Moreno smells good. Even with sweat, dirt, and smoke lingering on his skin. He probably shouldn’t be sitting on my bed right now or at all, but I don’t care.

I like his attention and his company. I try not to stare for too long before I avert my gaze.

“Listen, I was wondering if I could have tomorrow off. I’d like to go—”

“No.” Moreno’s answer is short and curt. “I told you, you’re not going anywhere.”

I slide the ring off my finger and hand the diamond band to Moreno. “I found your wife’s ring.”

He laughs darkly and shakes his head. “I hoped that I was wrong about you. About this,” he says, snatching the small piece of jewelry from my palm. “But apparently, I wasn’t.”

Moreno stands. “I’m disappointed in you.”

“I’m not your daughter or some kid you can boss around.”

“No, you’re my employee, my child’s nanny,” he says with such disgust that it roils my stomach.

Does he think that he’s better than me? He certainly acts like it with his nose held up and that smug grin plastered on his face.

I want to wipe it off. Prove to him that I’m more than just some nanny.

He heads for the adjoining door. Even if he wanted to escape from my bedroom door, I don’t imagine that he can. It’s probably still locked from the outside by the guards.

“I’m a better nanny to your daughter than you are a father,” I mutter on his way out.

Moreno stops dead in his tracks.

Shit.

He heard me.

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