Pippa made cute little sounds and squirmed on my lap. I lowered my gaze and smiled at her.
“See. She likes you. I’m going to freshen up before I leave for work.”
“You can’t leave me with the baby.”
“Alba is here.” She nodded to her friend.
“I mean you’re not going to work,” I said, trying to exert my power.
She set her hand on her hip. “Yes, I am. I have responsibilities. Commitments.”
“Your only responsibility is to our daughter and me. Quit your fucking job and stay with us.”
“Language.” She pointed at the baby.
“She doesn’t know what I’m saying.”
“That’s not the point. I don’t want her hearing filth like that. And how dare you storm into my life and think you can control me. That’s not how it works Ciro! You didn’t want me, and it’s been a long time. I’ve moved on.”
“I didn’t know about her,” I said, gritting my teeth. The first chance I got, I would punish her for keeping my baby from me. Just because I never planned to have a child didn’t mean I wouldn’t want the one I created.
“Right, and now that you do, you’re acting like a caveman trying to control me. Well, I have news for you, Ciro Remotti. Nothing you say will stop me from going to work and providing for my child. We’ve been doing just fine without you.”
I held down an angry growl deep in my chest, forcing myself to stay calm and not yell like a lunatic in front of my daughter. Isla always knew how to piss me off, mostly because she talked sensibly and could point out the fallacies in my thinking.
“Now, I’m going to freshen up and call an Uber.” She kissed Pippa’s head. “Enjoy your time with her.”
“Paolo will drive you,” I replied.
“Did you not hear a word I just said?”
“Goddammit, Isla. Let me help you.” It hurt so damn much to know I made her like this. I had made her build a protective fortress around herself and Pippa. She wanted nothing to do with me, and I deserved her rejection.
“I’m taking the Uber,” she said indignantly. “But you can stay for a while after I leave… If you promise to not steal her.”
“Oh, for Christ’s sake. Is that the kind of man you think I am?”
“When you don’t get what you want, yes.”
“I promise not to steal her.” But she was right. I would do whatever it took to get them both in Canada with me. I just had to make her an offer she couldn’t refuse. “But I’m paying for the ride.”
“Whatever.” She rolled her eyes and left the room.
“It’s not going to be easy getting her back, is it?” I asked and turned toward Alba.
“No. And bossing her around isn’t the way back into her heart. She’s struggled to make ends meet, but she’s done it. She’s been an incredible mother and should be praised for it. Don’t make her feel like a failure for not providing your standard of living.”
Fuck, she was right. “That’s good advice.” I stared in awe at my daughter and placed my pinky in her hand. She clutched it tightly like she would never let it go.
It appeared I might have a chance with Pippa and to make up for the time lost, but what good would it do if her mother rejected me? Pippa deserved to have a whole family, her mother and father together, not only weekends and summers with her dad.
My mamma’s face flashed in my head. I had her for only five years of my life. I would never take Pippa away from Isla. I’d rather die than hurt my child the way I hurt after my mother’s death.
I never wanted marriage or children because I feared losing them. I had pushed Isla away, and now she was doing the same thing to me, and I hated it.
Karma was a bitch; one I wouldn’t let get between me and mine.
The tables were turned but there was one vital difference: Penelope Giovanna. I would do whatever it took to keep my girls with me.
