Nikki pats Luca’s arm. “Let’s not recount the past.” She forces a smile and bends down to Zeke’s level. “I’m glad you like the toys. I hope you’ll like your new bedroom.”
“Bedroom?” The air leaves my lungs.
Nikki stands, glancing from Zeke to me. “You didn’t think we’d have your son sleeping in your bed or the guest room, did you?”
Actually, that’s precisely what I expected. It’s not like I intend to stay here very often. For one or two nights, Zeke could share a bed with me. That’s pretty much what’s happened since the wedding. Luca and I haven’t slept in the same room, and because I’m sharing a room with Zeke, he keeps climbing into my bed anyhow.
Luca studies my face before glancing at Nikki. “Mom, that really isn’t necessary.”
“It’s already done.” Nikki gestures for me to follow her.
I bend down to carry Zeke, and he protests.
“It’s okay, you can leave him in here. The room’s been babyproofed.” Nikki gestures at the walls. “The outlets have been plugged, and the toys are all age-appropriate. Anything too mature is on a higher shelf that he shouldn’t be able to reach.”
She’s truly thought of everything.
I’m reluctant to leave Zeke alone in this place.
Luca senses my hesitation and rests a hand on my back. “I’ll stay with Zeke. Mom can show you his room and then later you can show me when I take our things upstairs.”
“All right.” I exhale a heavy sigh and agree to follow Nikki upstairs. I glance over my shoulder as Zeke hands Luca a toy banana. Luca bends down, taking it from him and pretending to gobble it up, getting a laugh from my little boy.
Nikki leads me upstairs. Beside Luca’s room, she opens the door and shows me the child’s bedroom that’s been carefully put together for Zeke. There’s a toddler bed, like the one he has at home against the wall near the window. On the opposite side is a dresser and desk.
There’s a stack of toys in the corner of the room and a handful of plush stuffies on the bed.
Nikki wanders over to the dozen or so books cradled in a basket. “Everything in here is new. The books, the stuffed animals—we wanted Zeke to feel at home when he comes to visit.”
“That is very kind of you.” But all I can keep thinking about is that little boy who was locked in their basement, kidnapped and taken from his family.
Luca had told me that there was no sign of the child. He’d been down in the basement when he’d questioned Kensley. The boy was gone.
But where had he been taken?
There wasn’t a damn thing I could do about the missing child, the one Dante had abducted, but I could protect my own son.
“I should get back downstairs and check on the boys.” I force a smile.
Nikki reaches for my arm. “I know this isn’t what you were expecting when you would one day get married, but we’re all trying to accept you and your son. Please don’t hurt my son.”
It’s too late for that.
Luca already hates me.
Dinner is rather uneventful. Moreno and Paige join us, but Nova is on campus, and I’ve never missed her company more.
Of course, Ashton is there with her, which gives them the place almost to themselves. It’s not as though Liam cares about Ashton and Nova hooking up.
Luca carries our bags upstairs while I show him Zeke’s new bedroom next door to ours.
“At least it’s close.” He places the bag on Zeke’s dresser before heading to our room.
I sift through everything in the weekend bag, grabbing a new diaper for Zeke along with his pajamas.
By the time I get Zeke tucked into bed, read him a story, and get him to sleep, I’m exhausted. I’m reluctant to leave him alone, but there’s no bed for me.
I sit on the floor, stretching out, leaning with my back against the wall.
