Page 40 of Secret Seduction

14

Lorenzo

“I’m sorry, Mr. Russo. I can assure you that Mrs. Frederick has been removed from our agency, but unfortunately, we don’t have another nanny who fits your criteria. We are severely short-staffed, and nannies are in high demand.”

I sigh into the phone. “Okay, just let me know once one becomes available again, please.”

I hang up and stare down at my laptop screen. It’s frozen in place where Vanessa grabbed Leo from his high chair and told off the shitty nanny.

When I watched it and saw her smack my son’s hand, I damn near saw red. But then watching Vanessa defend my son, the way she held him, ensuring he was protected, had me feeling shit I had no right to feel.

I glance down at my wedding band and roll it around my finger. If the circumstances were different, if Vanessa wasn’t fifteen years my junior, if she hadn’t drugged me … I could see myself with her. And that’s why when she offered to nanny for Leo, I said no. Because I can’t let her infiltrate herself into our life any more than she already has.

Her living in my home, us being married—it’s temporary. And Leo has already grown attached to her.

I saw it in the way he clung to her. She told me everything was fine, but the truth is, when I watched a playback of the video, he didn’t want my sister. He wanted Vanessa. And I can’t blame him. She’s beautiful and sweet and soft, and she might not be ready to be a mom, but she’s so damn nurturing. If I were him, I’d cling to her too.

“Fuck.” I click out of the video and run my fingers through my hair in frustration.

I’ve been trying like hell to avoid Vanessa, but the woman is everywhere.

“Mr. Russo,” my assistant says, popping her head into my office. “Matteo Antonov is here to see you.”

“Send him in, please.”

Matteo strolls through the doorway and drops into the visitor seat.

“You look like shit,” he says, never one to mince words.

“Thanks.”

He chuckles. “Dani told me what happened with the nanny.”

“Yeah. I sent a recording of it to the agency and had her fired.”

“Good.”

My phone dings with an alert, letting me know that someone is either entering or leaving my condo, and since my sister and her friends all left a while ago, I click on it to make sure Vanessa is okay. I catch her out in the hall with a guard, heading to the elevator.

“Everything good?” Matteo asks.

“Vanessa’s leaving.”

“Oh yeah. Dominick told me she has an interview with Franco at the casino.”

My head whips up to look at him. “What the fuck are you talking about?” I ask, my tone harsher than intended.

“I guess she needs money for school, and Peyton convinced my brother to let her interview for a server position. They’re short-staffed.” He shrugs.

“Is that safe?”

Matteo’s brows furrow in confusion. “You know Dominick keeps that place on lockdown.”

I’m about to argue when my phone rings with a call from Dani.

“Hey, is Leo okay?”

“Yes, he’s a sweet little angel,” my sister says. “I was talking to Clarise, and she said her cousin was looking for a job. She’s experienced with children, and she’s in a serious relationship.”