Page 14 of The Don's Secret Heir

My mind is racing, trying to figure out what to do. I hate her, but I can’t leave a woman and child out in the cold. But then again, what if I let her in and she leaves me again?

My throat feels tight just thinking about it. I don’t think I can go through that again.

How do I keep her here? Keep her from leaving?

I realize that it’s stupid. Pathetic.

But I can’t help wanting her around. At least until I can find some way to get over her, to move past this.

She eats voraciously and I just stand there, leaning against the counter, watching her.

“You’ll stay here. You and Sonny,” I say as she finishes, already looking less pale and drawn.

She nods. “I really do appreciate this, Dario.”

I just nod. “I’ll give you a little tour.”

“You don’t have to go to the trouble?—”

“Nobody has a house like this if they don’t want to show it off,” I assure her, and she smiles a little, making my heart flip around in my chest.

She stands and I walk out of the kitchen, leading her to the back door. I step out onto the patio over the grotto style pool.

“The poolhouse is back that way. I don’t know if Sonny likes to swim?—”

“I’m sure we won’t be here long enough for that,” she says quickly, cutting me off.

I snap my mouth closed. She’s already plotting to leave. Of course she fucking is.

“Do you have somewhere else to go? Thought you said Sonny’s father wasn’t in the picture.”

“He’s not,” she insists. “And calling him isn’t an option, so just... drop it, will you?”

I don’t respond, just sighing and turning back to go through the kitchen into the foyer.

“Those crystal chandeliers were installed by my father,” I say proudly. “Every one.”

“They’re beautiful. Antiques?”

“Sixteenth century.”

Her mouth drops open. “Even one must cost a fortune.”

I hum. “My parents spared no expense.”

I show her the den, which includes a couple of arcade pinball machines and the newest gaming console.

“You play video games?”

“Every man needs a hobby.”

She looks up at me, smiling slightly. “Did you play them when... well, when we knew each other?”

“A little.” I don’t tell her that the reason I play so much now is to take my mind off thinking about her. Missing her.

And now she’s here. She’s here with her kid by another man and all I want her to do is stay.

I’m a glutton for punishment, I guess.