But he was so confident that I’ll never be far from him, and he has a point, doesn’t he? He’s not a desperate, impulsive teenager, and there’s no need for tricks. I’ve proved myself willing to fall into his bed and let him fuck me without protection. I bet if I looked up at the penthouse right now I’d see him standing at the window wearing nothing but a triumphant smirk.
God, I’m stupid.
“Thank you,” I hear myself say.
The driver opens the door for me, and I slide inside.
The interior is all cream leather and polished wood, with a minibar built into the console and seats that feel like clouds. I’ve never been in a car like this. I’ve never even seen the inside of a car like this.
This is his world. Wealth and power and luxury beyond anything I can imagine.
The driver pulls away from the curb, and I watch the casino disappear in the rearview mirror.
Rosa is waitingup when I arrive.
She opens the door before I can knock, her face tight with worry that shifts to something else entirely as she takes in myappearance. The tangled hair. The smudged lipstick. The bite marks on my neck that I have nothing to cover with.
“Mina.” She sighs, giving me a weary look. “Danny called about what happened at the restaurant, and I’ve been worried sick. Tell me you didn’t sleep with him.”
I can’t meet her eyes. “It was just tonight. It didn’t mean anything.”
She presses her hand to her forehead. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Mina, if you won’t consider yourself, think of Leon.”
“Tonight was about me.” The words come out sharper than I intend. “About what I need. Leon has nothing to do with it.”
“Leon has everything to do with it! That man is dangerous, Mina.”
“I know what he is.” I push past her into the apartment, keeping my voice low so I don’t wake the kids. “I’ll keep Leon safe. I always have.”
Rosa stares at me for a long moment, her expression caught between anger and fear and something that looks dangerously close to pity.
Finally, she sighs and shakes her head, like I’m so messed up I’m not worth arguing with.
“Leon’s sleeping,” she says. “But he seemed a little under the weather tonight. Tired and cranky. I think he might be coming down with a cold.”
“I’ll keep an eye on him,” I say. “Thanks for watching him tonight.”
“Mina.” Rosa catches my arm as I pass. “Please. Be careful.”
I don’t answer. I just nod and slip into the room where Leon is sleeping, curled up on a cot mattress on the floor beside his cousins.
He looks so small. So peaceful. His dark curls are spread across the pillow, and his little chest rises and falls with each breath.
My son. My whole world.
I crouch beside him and press a kiss to his forehead. He’s too warm, my poor baby. I’ll give him some Tylenol when we get home if he wakes up.
As I carry him to the car past Rosa’s judgmental eyes, guilt crashes over me like a wave.
The comfort of Cristiano’s body tonight was fleeting. I hope I haven’t made a lasting mistake. One that will affect my son.
I have to protect my son.
14
Mina
Iwake to Leon’s small body burning against mine.
