Page 68 of The Don's Secret Heir

I can’t help but snort out a laugh and Sonny islosingit, nearly falling over.

Dario laughs and then chucks the used pancake in the trash, pouring syrup over the rest of his stack.

He’s good with him, I have to admit. Sonny’s the shy type, always hiding behind me, but he took to Dario right away.

He was good at the party, too, with his younger cousins. But with his lifestyle, what he does—he could never be any kind of father to Sonny.

He probably wouldn’t want to be, anyway. He’s not exactly the type to settle down.

“I have a meet tonight, here,” Dario says idly, and I look up at him. He’s looking down at his food, eating heartily. “You guys should clear out of here. Use my credit card, book a room at the Ritz.”

I frown. “You don’t have to pay for that. I can always bunk at Beth’s."

He goes quiet, but he doesn’t protest.

“We’re staying with Aunt Beth tonight?” Sonny askks, excitement evident in his small voice.

“Looks like it! We can have a movie night.”

“With homemade popcorn?”

Beth has an old timey popcorn maker, and Sonny adores it.

I smile. “Yeah, of course.”

“Can I go play now?”

“Sure you can, honey. But we’ll probably head over soon.”

“You don't have to go right away," Dario says quietly, but I shrug.

“Might as well get out of your hair.”

Dario goes silent again. He’sneverthis quiet.

“What’s going on with you?” I ask when Sonny runs out of the room and up the stairs.

Dario’s dark eyes meet mine. They’re blank, unreadable.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’ve avoided me ever since Vincenzo’s party.”

“I’m not avoiding you. I’m just busy.”

He stands up and I frown.

What is this? Why is he so hot and cold? Playing with Sonny like that and then being so cold to me?

“See you tomorrow,” he mutters, and leaves the room, leaving me more confused than ever.

It takes me about an hour to gather up an overnight bag for Sonny and get him into my car. I call Beth on the way.

“Hello?”

“We’re coming over!” I say cheerfully. “Dario has a meet tonight and wants us out of the house.”

“Wh-what? A meet? Tonight?”