Page 43 of My Daddy Is An Ex-Con

"Every day you wait," I drawl, "adds to Dino's age."

Romeo nods. "Thanks for the pep talk. I’ll consider my options and map out a plan."

Ugh. That’s exactly what heshouldn’tdo—plans are for losers.

The best way to go through life is to impulsively make decisions and ride the wave, baby.

Consequences? Deal with them when the time comes.

Fortune favors the brave.

Scared money never wins.

"Don’t spend too long on your plan," I warn.

"Noted."

"Men like risk takers," I continue. "Not nerds who map everything out on spreadsheets."

Romeo glares at me. "You have some nerve lecturing me on what men like. I was bedding the hottest studs when you weren’t even in diapers—you weren’t even a spermling."

I try not to wretch. "That’s a mental image I didn’t need in my brain."

Romeo rises to his feet. "I’ll see you around."

Hopefully, he’s figured his shit out by then.

"Good riddance," I drawl.

"I’ll leave you to your thoughts about Mattie."

My eyes turn to slits. "Tell me how the fuck you know about Mattie."

"Like I said, Medici," Romeo reminds me, ramming his meaty palm on my shoulder. "There are no secrets in this family."

As I sip my limoncello in peace, I wonder how I can tell Mattie about my past without scaring him off. Hell—how can I share what I need to with frighteningmyself?

That’s what lies at the root of my insecurity—I’m not ready to open up to anyone.

I need to figure this out before I can be Mattie’s Daddy.

ChapterTwelve

Mattie

"This is nice."

"I’m glad you think so," Medici growls, rubbing my lower back.

My eyes flit around the shop. "I can’t believe they have a Little Store in Sicily."

"They opened a few locations in Italy earlier this month."

My heart flutters. "Do you think Little Land will come to Sicily, too?"

Medici smirks. "I’d need to have a word with their owners to convince them to do so. Now that we’re all spending more time here, I don't see why they wouldn’t."

Medici and I are enjoying an afternoon on the town. When he told me that the four T-shirts I packed when we left New York in a rush wouldn’t suffice for an extended stay, I offered to let him take me shopping.

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