“So instead of trying to spy on me, you’ve kidnapped your nephew.”
“Stop saying that. I didn’t kidnap him.”
He shrugs. “Legally, you did.”
“And since when you do you give a fuck about legalities?” I shout.
His eyebrows raise, like he’s shocked I’ve raised my voice.
“I try to stay away from police involvement whenever possible.”
“I’m not letting him go home where Uncle Vicente and Dante can get to him.”
“You expect me to provide protection for him? For Tony’s son?” His voice dips dangerously low. I’m toeing the edge of his patience.
“Yes.” I nod. “Because I’m your wife, and it’s your job to make sure I’m safe. And if you don’t let Tommy stay here, then I have to stay there. And that wouldn’t be safe. Right? So yes, you have to let him stay here.”
“Who says it’s my job to protect you?” There’s a lightness to his voice now, like he’s playing around with me.
“You did. In your vows.”
“In your vows you promised to be obedient. If I say to take Tommy home, will you?”
“No.”
He grins. “No?”
“No. And if you make him leave, I’m leaving too. We don’t have to live in the same house to be married. I can be your wife living anywhere else the same way I can being here. It’s not like you’re ever fucking around anyway!”
“You want me around?”
“Not at the moment.” I huff and plop back down in the chair. I’m getting nowhere, and he’s having a fun old time.
He laughs. It’s soft and light. Like our first night together.
“Tommy’s not going anywhere. He’ll stay here. Hire any nannies or caregivers or whatever you need to help with him.”
“Seriously?” I ask cautiously, he’s giving in too easily.
“Yes.”
“And what about the whole kidnapping scenario?”
“We have good lawyers on payroll for this sort of thing. I’ll handle it.”
“That’s it? He can stay. Nothing else?”
“You mean what am I going to make you sacrifice in order to keep him safe?”
“Yeah.” I nod.
He frowns and shakes his head. “Doesn’t work that way in my family. He’s your nephew; that makes him my nephew.”
“Are you forgetting you hate me?”
“When did I say I hate you?” He quirks an eyebrow.
“Oh, I don’t know. Every time you looked at me at our wedding? That night on the plane? How you’ve stayed away from me since we’ve gotten here?”
