Page 29 of Psychotic Nightmares

She wanted me there.

She needed me there.

Shelovedme.

“Uncle Jules.” Little Nico taps my knee. He looks just like his father with his thick dark locks, brown eyes and tanned skin. “Why is there a lady crying in the bathroom?”

“Huh?”

“I went in there with Papa and there's a lady crying. Papa told me to come and see you while he talks to her.”

“Nico, why are you even here?” I was in my own little world. I didn't hear them arrive.

“My nanny quit. She said I was toomuch trouble.” He shrugs. At only seven, he is a smart kid, but a little terror too. “So who’s the lady?”

“A friend.” Bull answers. “A friend who is a little under the weather so we need to make her better again right?”

“Is she papa's friend too?”

“No.” I grit my teeth.

“Yes.” Pea says with a smile. “She is friends with usall.” She picks him up and gives him a genuine smile. “Now, what did you do to make your nanny quit this time?”

“She tried to spank me so I kicked her in the shin just like you taught me.”He looks so proud of himself and Pea gives him a high five.

“Ask him why she tried to spank him.” Bull chuckles.

“I stuck a picture of a scary ghost lady on her car camera. She jumped so high when she went to drive backwards that she weeda little.”Nico declares. “So I am kingof pranks now.”

Pea has to put him down sheis laughing so hard. I even hear Natalie's quiet giggle coming from the other room. Did she hear what Nico said, or is that Dante making her laugh like that.

“I’m going to tell that lady so she can cheer up and get better.”

Dante’s with her,again.

I grab my phone to head outside and make a call. I need an update on the job I sent my minions out on, and they need to finish it soon, because I know as soon as she is well enough Natalie will leave. But this will keep her with me by choice.

I hope.

nine

Dante

“Papa.” Nico runs into the back of my legs as I am handing Natalie her open bottle of water. Which goes all over her as I stumble. “Oh no. Sorry lady!”He grabs a towel from the rail, climbs up onto the bed and starts trying to dry her off.

She watches him with a confused expression crossing her face.

“Natalie, this is my son, Nico. Nico, this is Natalie.” I introduce them, Nico finishes soaking up the water from her lap with the towel and throws it on the floor.

Typical messy kid.

“Lovely to meet you.” She feigns a smile.

“You too. Pea said you’re papa's friend. So that means you’re my auntie right. Like Auntie Pea?” My son bounces up and down excitedly on the edge of the bed. His dark curls that I combed back this morning now unruly with his over exaggerated movements. His big brown eyes go wide as he pokes out his bottom lip.

The cheeky child is giving her puppy dog eyes.

“Umm,” She looks between me and my son, like she is waiting for some sort of confirmation. I nod slightly. “Sure.” She gives him a wide grin now.