Page 39 of Secret Seduction

Even though Lorenzo doesn’t trust me to watch Leo alone, I’ve been spending a lot of time with him since Lorenzo couldn’t fully use his right arm, and I’ve learned his routine.

Dani smiles softly at me and reaches for Leo, who starts to cry when she takes him from me.

“No, no, no!” he cries, reaching for me.

“What’s going on?” Lorenzo barks, concern for his son laced in his tone.

“Nothing,” I tell him, rubbing Leo’s back to soothe him. “Leo’s just tired.”

Leo’s cries increase, and when he throws himself back, Dani almost loses her hold on him. I quickly catch him and take him into my arms, and he instantly calms.

“He just needs a minute, Lorenzo,” I say. “We’re good here. You can go back to your meeting.”

“Are you sure?” he asks, sounding torn.

“Yeah. He’s just hungry and tired. Once he’s fed, Dani can take him to her place to give him a nap.”

“Okay, thanks,” he says. “I’ll pick him up after work.”

Once he hangs up, the four women look at me.

“What?” I ask, rubbing circles on Leo’s back as he snores softly on my shoulder.

“You’re good with him,” Dani says.

“We’ve just spent a lot of time together since Lorenzo got hurt.” I shrug. “He’s a heavy sleeper, so you should be good to take him now.”

“Normally, I blame Lorenzo for being unable to keep a nanny, but in this case, he was in the right to fire her. I can’t even imagine someone touching my baby,” Dani says. “Matteo would bury them alive.”

Bri’s hand goes to her belly. “And I wouldn’t blame him. Andrey used to hit us, and when I saw that woman smack Leo’s hand, it brought back so many horrible memories.” She glances at me. “Andrey was our father … a man who didn’t deserve the title.”

I nod in understanding.

“I’m just glad you were here,” Dani says, reaching over and squeezing my shoulder. “Lorenzo has cameras around the main area, but he might not have thought to check them.”

“What?” I glance around. “There are cameras in the house?”

“Of course,” Peyton says. “We all have them. In the living room, kitchen, hallways. Not in the bedrooms or bathrooms, but there are cameras outside, surrounding the entrances. You can never be too safe. Dominick has a security team that oversees our property, but only Dominick has access to the ones inside our home.”

“Matteo has live access to ours,” Dani adds. “And I’m sure Lorenzo does as well. If I know my brother, he’s already pulled up the footage and sent it to the agency to make sure she’ll never nanny again.”

“As he should,” Nicole adds. “I’m not a mom, but even I know that what she did was uncalled for. When I was little, I touched the hot stove, and my mother smacked my hand away to ensure I wouldn’t hurt myself. But what that bitch did … smacking a baby’s hand because he wanted to feed himself, is unacceptable.”

Everyone nods in agreement.

Since Leo is passed out, I hand him over to Dani, who assures me that once he wakes up, she’ll feed him, and I reluctantly give him a soft kiss on the crown of his head and let him go.

“Want to do the measurements?” I ask Bri once Dani is gone.

“That would be great. I’m excited to see what you come up with. And before you argue, I will be paying you.”

“I won’t argue,” I say with an awkward laugh. “I need the money.”

“Speaking of which,” Peyton adds, “I just texted Dominick, and he said you can come by this afternoon for an interview. It’s at Hotel Blu. It’s an underground casino, so you’ll go to the front desk and ask for Franco. He’s the casino manager. If he thinks you’re a good fit, you’re hired. And since it’s locked down, you’ll be safe.”

“Oh my God, thank you!” I give Peyton a hug. “I really appreciate it.”

If I can get this job, it will mean padding my bank account for next semester. I only have two semesters to go, and then I’ll be a college graduate—another step in the right direction for my future.