Page 76 of Nanny's Baby for the Italian Mafia Boss

“If you’re staying, I’m staying. I can stay right here, Matias. I’ll wait.”

“No. I can’t risk it. Too many people know we were here last night. This is the first place they will check to hold any leverage over me. You’re safest at home with Ella and Gianni. Gianni will send men to me as well. I need firepower.”

She swallows, but nods. I can see the water filling her eyes, noticing something is off, and I know that’s on both of us. I shouldn’t have reacted how I did, and she should have talked to me.

She acts as if this relationship is doomed but the more she acts like it is, the more it will be. Maybe a few days away from one another is all we need.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be home soon. I promise.”

And I always keep my promises.

Chapter Nineteen

Sophie

It’s been two days since Matias put me on the private jet and sent me home. Not that I mind. I love being here, especially with Ella, but I do miss Matias. I don’t like how we left things. Something feels different. There has been a shift in our dynamic. He hasn’t called me. He hasn’t texted. I don’t know if he is dead or alive. I’m assuming he is alive, or Gianni would tell me.

I’m struggling with how to handle our fight. There’s one side of me that is furious. How dare he tell me I can’t take the Plan B pill when he just up and disappears off the face of the earth? What am I supposed to do with that? If I get pregnant, what will he do then? Will he vanish?

I can’t be with a man who isn’t there when I need him.

That’s the anger.

The logical side of me knows he will always be there for me. I know whatever issue he is handling with Dovnic is important, especially since it has to do with the rival’s son.

When I sit and think about how primal Matias got about wanting to get me pregnant, my heart flutters and my breath catches. A flush works its way up my neck and I can’t help but bite my bottom lip as I think about him driving into me, making me tell him that we were the plan.

How could I not want that?

And I do. I do want it. More than anything, but the fear is so strong.

He’s right. I can’t let fear control me any longer.

But I can’t let him control me either. I have to show him he can’t tell me what to do.

I sigh, stopping in front of Ella’s preschool. Ella opens the door and waves at her teacher.

“Hey, you. How was your day at school?”

“Boring. Joey kept trying to put his peanut butter-covered fingers on me.” She shivers. “Gross. I don’t understand boys.”

“Yuck. Why was he trying to do that?” I ask, pulling out of the parking lot.

“I don’t know, but he is gross. I finally got the teacher to stop him. He’s soooo annoying.” She rolls her eyes dramatically and emphasizes the o’s so I know just how annoying Joey is.

“Well, don’t ever let any boy put his fingers on you. It leads to trouble.”

“You mean how Daddy puts his fingers on you?”

My cheeks heat as I turn right toward the grocery store. I have no idea what to say to her. “Your dad doesn’t touch me.”

“He doesn’t?” Her voice is high-pitched in disbelief. “Well, I can tell by how he looks at you that he does.”

“You shouldn’t even know what it means for someone to put their fingers on someone else.”

Ella scoffs, rolling her eyes. “I’m six now, Sophie. I’m a big girl. I know things.”

“Apparently,” I mumble. “Well, your dad and I are just friends.” The words are a lie, but I’m not too sure how Ella would feel about Matias and me being together. It’s something he and I haven’t talked about, so I won’t confirm anything with Ella until I have talked to Matias.

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