“You have nothing to be scared about. Like I said, you’re safer working for me than anyone else, and I’ll keep you well protected.” I alluded to some of this during the interview and hiring process, but I hadn’t spelled it out because I couldn’t. Not until she’d signed on the dotted line and her confidentiality was assured.
Guilt prods at me because she currently looks like a deer trapped in headlights. She’s only twenty-one, and it’s a lot to take in, especially when she doesn’t know the half of it yet. Maybe I should’ve said nothing, but I don’t want her blind to the dangers either. “I’m mentioning this so you aren’t blindsided. You need to be very aware of your surroundings. Trust your instincts. If you think anything is off, tell your bodyguards immediately. Give me your cell, and I’ll plug my numbers into it.” I hold out my hand for her phone. “My secretary is aware you have unfettered access to me, no matter what. Call me anytime if you need me. Nothing is more important than Elio’s safety, and that provision now extends to you.”
Red spots appear on her cheeks. “I dropped my cell this morning, and I haven’t had the time to replace it.”
My hand lowers to my thigh. “I’ll organize a phone for you. Do you need anything else?”
“Do I have access to a tablet or a laptop while I’m here? It would be good to research excursions for Elio, and I’d like to sign up on a few arts and crafts apps to get ideas for things we can do together.”
“I’ll organize a device for you. Anything else?”
She shakes her head, sending waves of blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. “I can’t think of anything. Thanks, Cristian.”
“Give Mrs. Peake a list of foods you like and any toiletries you need. She’ll include it with the weekly grocery order. Isa has a list of meals she cooks on set days, and my housekeeper knows what to order, but if you want to change anything, just inform her in advance.”
Sloane slips off her slides and tucks her legs up onto the couch. “I don’t want to change anything at first. Routine and familiarity are important during the transition period, but gradually, I might like to introduce a few different things, if that’d be okay?”
“Of course. Nothing is set in stone, and Elio is adaptable.”
Her nose scrunches. “I don’t want to tread on Isotta’s toes. I’m guessing she’ll still be around a lot?”
“Isa has been amazing with Elio, and she was a lifesaver for me when I first adopted him, but she’s no longer Elio’s nanny. You are.”
“She’s still his aunt.”
“Yes, but as his aunt, she doesn’t get to dictate how he’s brought up. That is my job as his father. I don’t want you to feel like you can’t change things. Do whatever is in Elio’s best interests, and don’t worry about Isa. She’ll be a newlywed soon, and she’ll be busy with her own family. She takes Elio to spend time with his cousins on Saturdays, and that will continue, but I doubt we’ll see her more often than that.”
“Okay.” She smiles, but it seems a little uncertain.
Internally, I sigh. It’s not surprising Sloane has picked up on the animosity radiating from Isa because she’s as subtle as a tornado. Elio loves Isa, and I don’t want to deprive him of his aunt, but new boundaries will need to be established. I won’t have Isa undermining Sloane or sticking her nose in where it’s not wanted. The next few weeks should be fun.
“Talk to me if you encounter any issues, and I’ll smooth it over.” I slide my arm around the back of the couch.
“I will.” Untucking her feet, she slips them back into her slides. “Was there anything else?”
“Just one more thing. We’ll be moving out of the city in due course. I’m building a house in a small, quiet town a few hours away. The plan is to move there before Elio starts pre-K in September. You’ll have a self-contained apartment within the house, and I’ll supply you with a car. It’s a secure property close to a couple of my friends. You’ll meet them in due course. They have kids a little younger than Elio, and it’ll be good for him to grow up with playmates on his doorstep and his own yard to run around in. I trust this won’t be an issue?”
Again, I hadn’t mentioned this during the hiring process because I’m keeping this intel on the down-low for good reason. From her file, I know she doesn’t have any living relatives, but I don’t know if there is someone she’ll miss in the city.
“That won’t be an issue. It sounds nice and perfect for Elio.”
“You’ll have your weekends free, of course, and should you wish to come back to the city to see friends or your boyfriend, you can stay here.”
She opens her mouth but promptly snaps it shut again. Her tongue darts out, wetting her lips, before she clears her throat. “There, ugh, isn’t anyone serious, but I might want to return to the city some weekends.”
An uncomfortable feeling churns in the pit of my stomach at her insinuation. It shouldn’t matter if thereissomeone in her life, so why do I suddenly feel like some other kid has stolen my lunch money?
“Do you…” She chews on one corner of her mouth as her words trail off. “Is there a girlfriend I should expect to meet?”
“Not currently.”
“Oh, okay.” Her cheeks pinken before she averts her gaze, glancing at the floor.
A tense undercurrent charges the space between us.
“Do you have any other questions for me?” I ask, attempting to put things back on a professional footing.
“Not at this time.” She smothers a yawn as she stands. “If it’s okay with you, I’m going to grab a shower and an early night.”
