“I’ve done all that,” I blurt, because it seems I’m not done with the verbal diarrhea. “Not that it was appreciated.”
“Wow.” She walks slowly toward me. “I didn’t think guys like you existed in real life, and whoever the woman was, she clearly didn’t deserve you.”
“She left two months after I adopted Elio. Said she couldn’t be a mother to another couple’s child.”
Sloane’s nostrils flare, and fire flashes in her eyes. “What a bitch. Anyone who gets to be a mother to that little boy is the luckiest woman alive. How could she not want him? That hurts me so much.”
“My sentiments exactly.” I rub a hand along the back of my neck.
“Like I said, she didn’t deserve you, and it sounds to me like you and Elio had a narrow escape.”
I bob my head. “I’m glad Aliya showed her true colors when she did. Saved me from making the biggest mistake of my life. I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason.”
“I used to believe that, but now I think things happen with and without reason. There are some things that happen that make no sense. You can be a good person, live a good life, and bad shit happens for no fucking reason.”
“You’re thinking about your mom.”
She nods, gulping audibly. Pain mixed with sadness washes over her face. “She didn’t deserve what happened to her.”
“It’s hard to make sense of illness, especially losing one who is so young.”
“Yeah.” I watch as a mask shrouds her pretty face, and she shrugs it off. “We should go. Elio is waiting.”
10
SLOANE
“Bye, champ. Love you,” Isa says, her voice filtering into the kitchen from the hallway.
“Bye, Auntie Isa. Love you to the moon and back. Thanks for taking me to see Nonno and Nonna and my cousins.”
“I’ll see you next week, cutie, for your final suit fitting.”
“Ugh. Do I have to?” Elio complains, raising a smile to my face.
“It won’t take long,” Cristian says. “Being a ring bearer is a big honor and a serious responsibility. You need to look your best.”
“All right, I suppose.”
I quietly chuckle to myself. Good luck to whoever the tailor is. Getting Elio to stay still for any length of time is a challenge. Today is my sixth official day as his nanny, and it’s safe to say I’m worn out. Elio keeps me on my toes every day, but I welcome it. Pablo is sending me daily pics and videos reminding me my first deadline is approaching, and I’ve still got fuck all to offer him. I’m hoping I might get an opportunity to do some snooping this weekend, but I’m not overly hopeful. I have barely slept a wink all week worrying about the consequences for Mom if I don’t producesomething.
“Sloane. Did you hear me?”
Cristian’s deep, sultry voice drags me from my head. I didn’t even hear them come in or Isa leaving. “Sorry, I was daydreaming. What did you say?” I try my best not to ogle him, but it’s hard when he looks so delicious. Today, he’s wearing an expensive-looking black woolen sweater over ripped black jeans and boots. It makes him look younger and hot as hell.
“We’re leaving in five minutes, Sleepyhead Sloane.” Elio wraps his arms around my legs. “I missed you.”
Crouching down, I pull him into my arms. Tears prick my eyes. I’m already so in love with this little boy. “I missed you too, my little prince.” I dot kisses into his hair before clasping his face in my hands. “Did you have fun at your grandparents’ house?”
He nods vigorously. “I played on the trampoline with my cousins, and Nonna made me apple cake.” He rubs his belly, thrusting it out. “Look how big my belly is ’cause I ate so much cake.”
I chuckle, mussing up his hair as I stand.
“Go to the bathroom before we leave,” Cristian tells his son. “And wash your hands after!” he calls out as Elio races out of the kitchen.
“There are a few things I want to run through before we leave,” Cristian explains, rounding the other side of the island unit.
I’m not sure if he’s putting a physical barrier between us on purpose or not. He’s been more guarded since Tuesday, and I’m guessing he regrets telling me so much personal stuff. He’s worked in his home office after Elio is in bed every night since, and it’s given me next to no time to work on my seduction plan.
