Page 29 of Secret Babies for the Italian Mafia Boss

“So you admit it, you have feelings for me?”

“God, is that all you hear? I don’t even know you. Not really. The only thing I feel is from a distant memory.”

“That’s fine. I can work with a memory.” He bends down and kisses my cheek. “I’ll be back in a week to collect rent. I bought this strip mall from your father. You work for me now, Camilla. Don’t do anything reckless. I’d hate to do something about it,” he whispers, rubbing his scruff against my cheek before he opens the door.

“Am I interrupting something?”

I clear my throat. “Taylor, this is the man who owns the building.”

“Luca Bianco?” Taylor asks, lifting a brow. “That can never be good when a man like him is in your life.”

“And what would you know about a man like me?” Luca plucks the lunch from Taylor’s hands and drops it on a nearby table.

Taylor stutters, taking a step back until his back is pressed against the counter. “I just mean, everyone knows who you are, so being in business with you means she can’t skip out on any payments or—” his eyes flick to me. “—Or she’s dead.”

“You talk a lot about someone you don’t know.” He opens the door and leans down, making Taylor seem short. “You shouldn’t do that.” Luca glances over his shoulder and winks at me. “I’ll see you soon, Camilla. Make sure you have that rent check ready. I’d hate to evict you.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“And how would you know?” A mischievous glint twinkles in his eye before he steps outside, giving Taylor a curious glance before leaving.

Silence hangs in the shop between Taylor and me. He has his hand to his chest, trying to catch his breath before he locks the door and flips the sign to closed.

“What the fuck was that? Oh my God, Luca Bianco is your landlord. He is in the mafia, you know that, right? No,heis the mafia. He’stheguy. You have to get out of this.”

“I can’t. I don’t know how. I had no idea he owned the building. My father did. I don’t know how Luca bought it from him, Taylor. I won’t know more until he comes back.”

“This isn’t good. What did he want?”

I think about his question, and Luca didn’t buy anything. He had come to the shop for me. To see me. But why? It can’t beforme.

It has to be about fortune.

And I have to make sure my children never get near his plan. Not telling him about his kids is bad, but what choice is there? They don’t deserve to be deceived by him.

“I don’t know. He just came in here, and then the cookies burned. He offered to help remake them, and I sent him on his way.”

Taylor takes my hand and holds on tight. “You can’t believe anything he says, Camilla. He isn’t a good man. I’ve heard horrible things. Whatever you do, you have to make sure you give him the money he asks for, and everything will be fine.”

“I could always break my lease. I mean, then I could move on, right?”

Taylor shakes his head. “You don’t understand. Once Luca Bianco sets his sights on something he wants, he gets it. He would never allow you to leave.”

No, I don’t think he would, either. I don’t think I want to leave. Seeing Luca again has awakened so many emotions inside me. He said I didn’t have to do anything alone again. Is he saying he’ll be here for me?

“Let’s eat. Okay?” I change the subject, not wanting to talk about Luca behind his back. He is still the father of my children. That deserves respect in itself. “I don’t have a lot of time. I have to start over on a batch of cookies that needs to be done by this evening. I want to be done by the time Cora drops off the kids.”

I sit down and unwrap the sandwich Taylor bought me. I bite into it and groan, not realizing how hungry I am. The tomato is juicy, the lettuce is crispy, and the chicken is seasoned just right.

“Well, let’s hope he doesn’t cause you trouble. I happen to like you right across from me.”

“You’ve been a good friend,” I say over a mouthful of food.

Taylor is a good-looking guy. He’s tall, lean, with chestnut-colored hair, pale, and has the brightest green eyes I’ve ever seen. I’d be all about him if I didn’t experience the best the world had to offer. No other man compares to Luca. And I need to get over that issue really quick. I won’t be able to move on with my life if I’m still fantasizing about a guy I’ve slept with once.

It isn’t that easy, though. No matter how many times I convince myself otherwise.

He will forever be in my life because of Olivia and Oliver. The position he holds in my life can’t be replaced by anyone else. I’m forever tied to him. Luca will always come first before any other man, even if I do find myself dating or in a long-term relationship, maybe even married. I’ll have to think of him every day because of the kids.

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