Page 56 of Savage Vow (Mafia Marriages 3)

Why else would I be hanging around an elementary school? It’s not like I have dozens of kids running around the city.

At least I don’t think I do, but I’ve slept with my fair share of women.

“Checking up on me? Worried I wouldn’t bring him to Karina’s work.”

She’s not entirely wrong, but I know Karina trusts her sister, and that’s enough for me. “It’s none of your business why I’m here.”

I’m not sure why I’m even here. There is a shit ton of work to get done, and if Alessandro gets wind that I’m playing house instead of following up a lead for him, I’ll have to face his wrath, which isn’t fun.

But I also want to get to know the kid.

My kid.

Karina may as well have confirmed that to me this morning. She had every opportunity to tell me that the kid isn’t mine. That I’m crazy for thinking, he is my kin.

No.

Instead, she pointed out that I’m a monster, and she doesn’t want Ashton to become like me.

I intend to prove to her that I’m not the beast she believes me to be. I’m just not sure how that’s going to happen.

“You’re wasting your time,” Ivy says.

I take the bait. “Why’s that?”

“Do you want to be stuck in the car with a five-year-old asking a million questions on the drive home?” Ivy smirks. “You probably don’t know anything about kids, let alone how to deal with them.”

Why am I arguing with Karina’s sister? The woman tried to trick me into believing that she was Karina!

My hands bunch into fists at my sides. “You will let me take Ashton home with me.”

“Or what?” Ivy drops her hands to her sides. “You’ll fight me? You’re easily twice my size, but I can outrun you.”

That woman has a mouth on her.

“You would think that,” I say and lean closer, “but I ran track and field in high school.”

“What was that a century ago?” Ivy quips.

Although I have a few years on Ivy and Karina, I’m not that much older than her. She’s just trying to get under my skin, and she’s doing a hell of a job at it.

She’s infuriating to be around. It’s incredible how they’re twins and nothing alike. The similarities end with their appearance.

Sure, Karina has a mouth on her, but it’s a pair of lips that I want to devour. With Ivy, all I feel is the sting of anger at her betrayal, pushing Karina to the floor. Maybe it was an act of selflessness, but all I see is the bitch standing in front of me.

The doors to the school open and the kids pour out in a mess of chaos. Ashton rushes toward Ivy.

“You came!” Ashton grins. “I missed you this morning.”

“I bet you missed my pancakes,” Ivy says.

I snort at her remark.

Ashton’s eyes widen with a huge grin, and he glances at me wondering if I’ll keep his secret.

Don’t worry, kid. I don’t need to get on your bad side. I already have your mother and aunt to deal with, which is more than enough trouble.

Ivy has to sign out for Ashton, which takes a few minutes for the teacher to come around with the clipboard.

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