"Where?" I stepped closer. "How far do you think you'd get with a toddler? How long before I found you?" I paused. "And what kind of life would that be for Leo? Always running, always hiding, never stable?"
"You're threatening me."
"I'm stating facts." I held her gaze. "I don't want to fight you, Isla. I want to co-parent our son. But I will not be shut out of his life again. Not for one more day."
She looked toward Leo's room, where he was singing to himself as he played.
"For Leo," she finally said, her voice hollow. "I'll do it for Leo."
"Good." I checked my watch. "Your things will be completely moved by this evening. I've arranged for dinner to be delivered at six. Leo's bedtime is eight, correct?"
She nodded numbly.
"Then we'll maintain his routine." I moved toward the door. "I have a few calls to make. Make yourselves comfortable. This is your home now."
I left her standing there and returned to my office, closing the door behind me.
My phone buzzed immediately. Marco.
"They're in?"
"Yes." I pulled up the security feeds, watching as Isla slowly entered Leo's room, crouching beside him. "What's the status on Matteo?"
"Quiet. Too quiet. He knows something's changed, but he doesn't know what."
"Keep it that way." I watched Leo show Isla something about his trains, her forcing a smile for his sake. "And Marco? The Morrison building—I want the security upgraded again. Facial recognition on every entrance. No one gets in without clearance."
"That's extreme even for you."
"I have something to protect now." I glanced at the monitor showing my son. "Spare no expense. I want this building impenetrable."
"Understood."
After hanging up, I sat back in my chair, watching the monitors. Isla sat on the floor with Leo, helping him build a train track, her movements mechanical but present.
She was here. They both were. Under my roof. Under my protection.
Now I just had to keep them safe.
And deal with Matteo before he figured out what I was protecting.
My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. I opened it.
Interesting real estate acquisition. The Morrison building must have cost a fortune. - M
Matteo.
My jaw clenched. He knew. Not everything, but enough to be suspicious.
I typed back:Investment property. Nothing more.
His response came immediately:Of course. Though I hear you've been spending a lot of time there lately. New project?
I didn't respond. Engaging would only feed his curiosity.
Instead, I called Marco back.
"Matteo just texted me about the Morrison building."
