Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“This is your fault,” I hiss under my breath to Lorenzo as the doctor fixes Leo up. “You’re so stubborn that you had to have all those stupid nannies come in instead of letting me watch him.”
I’m aware that what I’m saying is unfair. I was literally defending the woman a few minutes ago. And I meant it when I said that anyone could’ve been on their phone. But right now, my emotions are taking over, and I’m not thinking logically. All I see is the sweet little boy in pain, and it’s crushing me.
Rather than Lorenzo arguing, he simply nods and then shocks me when he says, “You’re right. And if you’re willing, I’d like for you to watch him.”
My gaze meets his. “Oh, so now you trust me with your son?”
“The issue wasn’t trusting you,” he murmurs so only I can hear. “It was letting you in. You already have my son wrapped around your finger. What happens when you leave? Where will that leave him?”
He’s talking solely about Leo, yet there’s an undertone in his words, implying that Leo isn’t the only one affected by me. And maybe it’s the adrenaline coursing through my body, but I’m done dancing around the truth.
“Him … or you?” I challenge.
His blue eyes lock with mine. “Both of us.”
I swallow thickly.
I wanted the truth, and I got it, but now I have no idea what to do with it.
So, I say the only thing I can think of. “I’ll watch him.”
Because there’s no way I’m letting another woman half-ass care for that little boy.
“Looks like we had the same idea,” Lorenzo says, holding up a bottle of Kingston Limited whiskey and then nodding toward the same bottle that I found in his liquor cabinet.
I grabbed it after Leo fell asleep and Lorenzo excused himself to get some work done. I was supposed to work my second shift at the casino tonight, but there was no way I was leaving Leo after everything he endured today. By the time we had left the hospital, he had been cranky and exhausted, and when all he wanted was for me to hold him, Lorenzo said he’d let Dominick know what had happened.
The rest of the evening was spent with us making sure Leo was comfortable. We had to be careful when we fed him dinner and gave him his bottle because of the glue on his lip, and he was not happy when we had to wash him down without letting him play. Thankfully, the doctor said he’d be good to go in about a week.
“Deal me in?” Lorenzo asks, having a seat across from me.
I’ve been sitting at the island, absentmindedly playing cards. I should be working on my schoolwork or Bri’s dress, but with my heart still in my throat from Leo getting hurt, I can’t find it in me to focus on anything else.
He’s sleeping soundly, but that hasn’t stopped me from getting up several times to check on him.
“What are we playing for?” I ask, shuffling the cards and then dealing them.
The few times we’ve played, Lorenzo insisted we make a wager to keep it interesting. We’ve played using cash, and I won all of it. Loser had to tell a truth, and I learned a ton about Lorenzo that night since he kept losing, though I noticed most of his truths were surface level, like his favorite food is pizza; his first tattoo was a dare from Matteo, which turned into an addiction—hence the tattoos all over his arms and chest; he’s watched all the Twilight, Fifty Shades, and Harry Potter movies, thanks to his sister, and regrets nothing; and he loves to cook.
And my favorite wager: loser had to eat whatever the winner said. The amount of gross things I made him eat, like mustard mixed with hot sauce, still brings a smile to my face when I think about it.
“Loser takes a shot,” Lorenzo says.
“That sucks.” I pout. “We both know I’m going to win almost every damn round, which means you’ll get to drink while I watch you.”
Lorenzo glares, but doesn’t argue because we both know I always win.
“Fine.” I sigh. “Looks like I’m going to have to let you win a few rounds.”
I wink, then pour myself a shot and down it.
When Lorenzo quirks a brow, I shrug. “Needed to get one in before I get you drunk.”
“Oh my God.” I giggle. “I can’t believe you won again!”
Lorenzo pours me a shot, and I throw it back, the liquor no longer burning my throat as it goes down.
“Another round?” he asks.
“Sure, but I need to go pee first.”
I stand, and the room sways, but before I tumble over, Lorenzo is out of his seat and gripping the curves of my hips to steady me.
“I think you’ve had enough to drink,” he murmurs into my ear, sending a shiver through my body.