The night I left Ciro, it’d taken every morsel of strength to walk out. I loved him deeply then and still did now. I didn’t know if I could resist him and deny my feelings again.
“Here, babe.” Falina handed me a glass of water. “Have you not been staying hydrated? I know how you are when you’re working. You never take two seconds to drink anything.”
I gulped, shrugging my shoulders. “I’m okay. Thanks.”
“Are you sure?” She eyed me suspiciously. “Anyway, Mr. Hot Stuff said he’d be back this evening. I told him you worked until nine.”
“You what?” I shouted, not meaning to. “Why would you tell him that? He could be a crazy stalker. Or a serial killer! What happened to privacy? Taking a message?” I gripped my chest, feeling as though I might stroke out. “Shit, Falina. Didyou give him my home address and social security number too?” I’d lost it, totally jumping off the deep end.
“Isla, what in the hell is wrong with you? He seemed friendly enough. It’s not like he looked like a strung-out druggy. The man looked like a millionaire.”
Try billionaire.
“That’s not the point. Just because he looked wealthy doesn’t mean you should give him information about me when I’m not around. I’m a mother. I have a responsibility to protect my baby. He could be a criminal dressed in fancy clothes… Like the Mafia.” I snapped my mouth shut.Shut up, Isla!
“Okay, okay. You’ve made your point. I screwed up. It won’t happen again.” She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’m sorry.” Her apology was heartfelt. I knew deep down she didn’t intentionally want to hurt me. I was sure she only saw him as a potential husband and father figure for Pippa. Little did she know, Ciro was not the marrying type.
I inhaled a deep breath. A smidge of remorse festered in me. I hadn’t meant to unload on Falina.
“Look, I know you didn’t mean any harm. But from now on, don’t give out information about me, okay?”
“Sure. I’m sorry.” She smiled softly.
Jeez, I felt awful about freaking out on her. She was a good person and cared about me and Pippa. Regardless, she shouldn’t be giving out her employees’ private information.
“I know. It’s okay.” I formed my words quickly before Falina walked away. “If he comes back, I don’t want to talk to him. So… I might hide out in the kitchen… Okay?”
“Why?” She put her hands on her hips. “Is he dangerous? Do I need to give Chris a heads-up that there might be trouble?”
I looked over at Chris serving a table. In high school, he was a defensive tackle and about the same height as Ciro, six-foot-two frame. But Chris had to be a good thirty pounds heavier. Maybe more.
Ciro wasn’t scrawny by any means. In his youth and during college, he played hockey. Now, thirty-seven, he worked out daily and watched his diet. He was strong and fit; with a delicious six-pack I loved to run my tongue between the grooves. He also had a pair of biceps I clung to when he drilled into me during sex. But that was beside the point.
Dammit!I shouldn’t be thinking about my tongue on Ciro’s body. What I meant was Chris might be able to subdue Ciro if needed due to his extra pounds.
“Maybe a heads-up would be good. Just to be prepared, you know?” I gave her a sheepish grin. I knew anything was possible with Ciro. All he had to do was give Paolo a look and blood would be shed.
Falina nodded, her face tight, and dashed off.
I finished the cup of water, slowing my breathing to calm myself further.
What did Ciro want now? Maybe he knew about Pippa. Or maybe yesterday was a test to see if I’d tell him about her on my own.
My stomach churned and my hands grew clammy.
I failed the test. This was so freaking bad.
Mafia men had a thing about their own blood… and family. Just because Ciro had vowed to never have kids, he had one. Had I been wrong in thinking he wouldn’t care? That what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him?
Oh my God, he’s going to be furious with me!
I retrieved my phone from my apron’s pocket, debating whether to mention Ciro to Alba. Blowing out a deep breath,I decided not to. It would only worry her. My gut told me that Ciro didn’t know about Pippa. I hoped I was right.
Ciro wasn’t in town for the baby. I suspected he came forme. One thing was for sure; I couldn’t let him find out about Pippa. He could take her away from me as punishment for keeping her a secret.
No matter what Ciro said, I wouldn’t let him back into my life. I wouldn’t fall for his charm or his infuriatingly sexy body and stupidly handsome face.
I had moved on.Mostly.
