I’m a mother. My child is my priority, and I will stop at nothing to keep her safe.
I didn’t care to deal with a man who couldn’t commit and never wanted marriage or children. What if he resented Pippa? Rejected her?
No, I wouldn’t let him hurt her. He wouldn’t get a chance to abandon her… or me. I’d experienced all the heartbreak with my father, and I’d be damned if I let Ciro do the same thing to my daughter.
“Hey.” A deep voice pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up into the dark eyes of Chris. “I got you covered.” He issued me a firm nod.
“Thanks. Hopefully, it won’t be necessary.”
“It’s all good either way.” He gave my shoulder a light pat and left.
I watched the burly man collect his order and return to the dining room.
Standing from the bench, I arched my back and rolled my head from side to side to work the kinks from my neck. Just four more hours. I touched my breasts. They were rock hard, painful, and in desperate need of being emptied.
Usually, by this time, I’d be pulling up to Alba’s house andfeeding my starving baby on the spot. Not this evening though. Instead, my lovebug would have a bottle.
The thought made my chest ache even more. I went to my locker, grabbed my tote bag with my pumping equipment and rushed to the back room. The sooner I gave my breasts relief, the faster I could get back to work so the time would fly by and I could go home to my baby.
Each timethe entrance bell jingled above the door, I took cover behind a customer or ducked in the corner. I had avoided the tables at the front window by switching zones with Chris on the off-chance Ciro and his bodyguard were watching the bistro and…stalkingme.
Due to my extreme paranoia, I was exhausted more than before. Thankfully, we were finally closed, and Ciro hadn’t shown up. Momentary relief swept over me, but I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened.
Why hadn’t Ciro returned like he told Falina he would? And why in the hell did I feel disappointed?
Enough already. Stop thinking about Ciro. You’re just tired.
Falina hip-bumped me as I filled a saltshaker, making me nearly spill. “I want you to get a good night’s sleep tonight. Maybe leave Pippa with Alba overnight so you can catch a solid night’s rest.”
Was she crazy?
“I can’t do that. She needs me.” And I needed to snuggle my daughter. Pathetic much? Probably, but I needed my infant, so I didn’t feel lonely. Pippa kept me from drowning in the loss of her daddy. She was my light. My joy. My heart.
“Why not? You know my cousin will keep her. You’re running yourself ragged. I see it in your eyes, babe. You’re exhausted. Let Alba keep Pippa overnight.”
I snorted, even though her words stung. “Gee, thanks. Nothing like hearing you look like crap to make youfeellike crap.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.”
“I know. You’re not wrong. I am exhausted.” And after seeing Ciro yesterday, my emotions were in overdrive, which added to my normal stress. “Pippa’s waking up and fussing in the middle of the night. Neither of us are sleeping well. It could be teething, but I haven’t felt anything yet.” I hated the thought of her getting teeth. What would it mean for us and our precious nursing time?
“All the more reason to leave her at Alba’s for one night.”
“What about my boobs? I usually nurse her three times before I come into work.”
“I noticed you took a while in the bathroom a few minutes ago.”
“Yeah, I had to relieve some of the pressure. There’s nothing worse than expressing breast milk into the drain.” I frowned, hating that I hadn’t brought an extra bottle. Should have known Keri would call off. I grabbed my breasts. “I need my ladies emptied by a professional.”
Falina giggled. “So go nurse her first, then go home,alone. I’m worried about you.”
A yawn took hold of me before I could say anything. I covered my mouth, my eyes tearing up. Nine thirty was past my bedtime. By the time I drove an hour to Alba’s and fed Pippa, it would be after eleven by the time I got home.
“See? Don’t come in tomorrow until one.”
Did I hear her right? “One? Dudley needs me here at ten.”
“He’ll be fine. Leave Pippa with Alba and don’t show up until one tomorrow. Got it?”
