Page 44 of Secret Seduction

And it doesn’t go unnoticed that I would prefer the latter …

“I’m here,” I say, unable to use the word home, as I walk out of Leo’s room so we don’t wake him up.

“I’m sorry about tonight,” Lorenzo mutters from behind me.

“And what exactly are you sorry about?” I ask, turning to face him.

“All of it. Showing up at the casino, messing with your job. Pissing on your leg.”

He smirks playfully, and I hold back a laugh.

“And why did you do that?”

He opens his mouth to answer me, but from the way he’s diverting his gaze, I already know whatever he says is going to be a lie.

“The truth.”

He closes his mouth and releases a harsh breath. “I don’t know.”

“Well, maybe you need to think about it because I think you did it because you were jealous, and if that’s the case, you need to deal with that. We’re not together, Lorenzo. Our marriage is fake. And once the threat is gone, I’ll be as well.”

Without waiting for him to respond, I disappear into my room to take a shower and get ready for bed, needing to get my head on straight. Hiding away in Lorenzo’s home was my idea, but I didn’t realize it would lead to playing house … or how much I would enjoy it.

“How was your shift?” Peyton asks over the phone.

I have it on speaker so I can talk to her while I sew Bri’s dress.

“It was good. I made good money in tips. At this rate, I’ll have my last semester paid for quicker than expected, and I’ll be able to put money away for after I graduate.”

Once school is over, I’ll have to find a new apartment, and if I decide to stay in Seattle, it’s not cheap to live there. I’ve also considered moving to LA since Kora—the fashion designer I was interning for—has an office there as well as in New York. Though I might’ve lost my in with her since she wasn’t thrilled to learn I wouldn’t be back for several weeks, possibly months.

“And how was the clientele?”

From the mirth in her tone, I know Dominick told her what had happened.

“They were great, aside from some dog who showed up and tried to piss on me like I was a fire hydrant.”

Peyton cackles. “You know, I was here when Lorenzo was engaged to Hillary, and she loved to be the center of attention, would flirt with other men to rile him up, but not once did I ever see him get jealous, let alone react like that.”

“Maybe he’s losing his mind in his old age,” I joke, trying to play off what she’s implying.

“Maybe … but⁠—”

Her words are cut off by the sound of Leo screaming like he’s in pain, and without thinking, I leave the phone where it is and go running to find him.

I met the new nanny this morning when I went out to make myself breakfast and coffee and to say good morning to Leo, and she seemed nice.

Lorenzo said he’d be working from home today to make sure she was a good fit for Leo. So, I’m not surprised when he rounds the corner at the same time I find Leo in the nanny’s arms, blood everywhere.

“What the fuck happened?” Lorenzo barks while I grab Leo from her so I can assess him.

“I only looked away for a second,” she whispers.

“His bottom lip is bleeding,” I tell Lorenzo. “And it looks bad. I think he’s going to need stitches.”

Carrying Leo into the kitchen, I wet a cloth and gently wipe his mouth to get a better look. A bruise is already forming on his chin. He’s started to use the furniture to stand, so my guess is, he did that, fell, and bumped his face, causing his lip to split open.

“Shh, it’s okay,” I coo, holding him close. “We’re going to get you all fixed up.”