Page 42 of The CEO Alpha’s Substitute Mate

“No, it’s like a supermarket with retail clothes.”

“You’re getting brandless clothes?” He looks like I’ve just said something blasphemous.

“What’s wrong with that?” I immediately get defensive.

He looks me up and down and then takes out his phone and tells somebody to bring the car around.

“Where are we going?”

“To get you a proper wardrobe.” He opens his office door. “Luca, come.”

“He’s not a dog,” I hiss. “Ask nicely.”

“I never said he was one. Don’t expect me to pamper him. That’s your job.” Callum holds the door open for Luca.

“Talking to him like he’s a child isn’t pampering,” I say in a low tone, my voice furious. “He’s your son. Do you even understand what that means?”

“Yes. He will inherit everything I own.”

Sometimes I really want to give this man a good shake. How can anyone be so calm and ruthless?

“It also means he looks up to you; he expects affection from you. Your job as his parent is to make him feel safe and loved in his home, even if the outside world is cruel. He’s not a cog in a wheel. He’s innocent, and your coldness will strip that innocence and warp it into something twisted. So stop it.”

My hands are shaking as I say the words, my heart aching for my son.

I expect Callum to say something rude or abrupt, but he’s just quiet, watching Luca run past him into the hall. He closes the door behind him and begins walking. “I’ll consider your words.”

My eyes widen.

“However, if you expect me to play the part of the parent like you described, then you need to play the part of his mother as well. He is the heir of the entire Vance fortune, and you as his mother should dress the part.”

“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with my clothes, Callum, and don’t you dare say there is.” I feel slightly humiliated.

He turns his head down toward me. “Do you realize you’re the only woman who’s ever dared to speak to me in that tone? Each time you do, I wonder why you’re standing there.”

“Maybe if a few more did, you wouldn’t have this God complex.”

“Get in the elevator.” He narrows his eyes at me.

Annoyed, I call out, “Come on, Luca! Stop running in the hall. You’ll hurt yourself.” Luca slides over to me on the marble floor, and I pull him into the elevator.

“Where are we going?” He looks up at me.

“To get your mother some clothes.”

I just sigh.

❦ ❦ ❦

The shop is called Vasari, and it has no clothes in it. That’s the first thing I notice. It’s two floors of pale marble, a staircase with nothing on the walls beside it, and two couches.

“Are you sure this is a clothing store and not some photography studio type thing?” I whisper to Callum.

He doesn’t answer, and a woman in gray crosses the floor with both hands out the second she sees who’s come in.

“Mr. Vance.”

“She needs outfitting.”