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I nodded, but felt nothing.
“You’ll be a great dad. Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.”
I grinned weakly. “Thanks.”
She wiped her face and ran into the kitchen. Santino approached me, grinning.
“You complained about your boring job. Now you have a new one. Daddy.” He chuckled. “Don’t look so terrified. It’ll be fine. How hard can it be?”
Considering our mother had a mental breakdown when we were growing up, pretty difficult. But we never spoke of that dark time in our family’s history.
I smiled and nodded like a mannequin.
“I’m heading out,” he said, shaking my hand. “No matter what, I have your back. I’ll take care of Ma.”
Romeo playfully punched my arm. “I call dibs on godfather.”
“Listen, I need a favor. Come with me to see the kid. I need you to distract him while I talk to Violet.”
“Of course, baby bro. It’d be my pleasure.”
I hugged the rest goodbye. Then I shoved the test results into my pocket and left. I slammed into the door that led outside. It swung outward, and the cold air bit my cheeks.
Romeo and I piled into the Dodge. Soon as I got behind the wheel, I started the car. The tires screamed as I backed up.
“Kill, you need to keep a cool head.”
I shifted into drive. “My son lives in poverty while I have a fortune. I need to get him out of there.”
“I’m with you, brother,” soothed Romeo as he buckled in. “Whatever you need. But we can’t charge into her house and grab the kid.”
I turned right. “Yeah, I know.”
“Any idea where she is?” he asked.
“She just arrived at the mall. I have someone following her.”
“Perfect.” He tapped his phone screen. “Let’s stop at a jewelry store first. You need an engagement ring.”
Sweet Jesus.
This marriage wasn’t for love, but I wouldn’t let anyone think this was a half-hearted gesture. It was about making a statement, letting everyone know she and Jack were under my wing.
We hit up a high-end jeweler on Newbury Street known for their one-of-a-kind pieces. I tried to figure out what’d suit her hand. The jeweler brought out a spread of rings. They all shone bright, but one stood out—a solid rock on a band that was detailed but not flashy. After I bought the ring, we reached the mall. My mind whirled with images of Jack, his innocent face a mask for the damage done to him. Losing a mother at that age—what did that do to a child? He was hurting. He needed me.
I pulled into a spot in the mall lot and turned off the car. I sat there, gripping the steering wheel. I looked at the building. Inside was my son, living a life I’d never wanted for him.
Romeo nudged me. “Let’s go.”
I nodded, unbuckling my seatbelt.
ELEVEN
VIOLET
“Jack, don’t run!”
He shrieked like a banshee as he ripped free of my grip, sprinting down the wide aisle. Laughing, he collided with a man’s knees. Jack bounced off and landed on his butt. I grabbed my errant nephew and pulled him upright.
