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I locked up the shop then walked down the street to Luca’s school. He attended the best private school in the city, something Carter had set up. I moved through the gates, and when the bell rang, Luca came out with his dinosaur backpack. He was initially confused when he didn’t see his mom, but when he saw me, he ran into my arms. “Aunt Carmen!”
I kneeled down and opened my arms, sweeping him into a big hug. “Hey, Luca. Do you mind if I pick you up today?”
“No! Where’s my mom, though?” He wore a red t-shirt with stripes and jeans that were a little baggy for his long legs.
“She and Carter had an errand to run. They’ll pick you up in a few hours.”
“Okay.” I grabbed his hand, and we started to walk down the sidewalk. “You want to get some lunch?”
“Yeah,” Luca said. “Ice cream.”
I raised my eyebrow as I looked down at him. “We both know you don’t get ice cream for lunch. But nice try.”
He laughed, slightly embarrassed that I’d figured out he was trying to trick me.
We went to a café, and he got a sandwich and an applesauce. Then we walked home, the afternoon air already cold. The sun set early now that it was winter, so it was already dark halfway home.
That was when I noticed a strange man walking toward me, dressed in all black and looking suspicious. His eyes were on me, noticing Luca beside me. I’d heard horror stories about people snatching kids, and I’d rather die than let that happen. I held his gaze and kept Luca close beside me, ready to rip both of the man’s eyes out if he tried something. I should have taken a cab, but enjoying Luca’s company distracted me from what was important.
Before the guy even reached me, another man emerged and stopped in front of him. Dressed in jeans and a black sweater, he was muscular with short hair. He reminded me of one of Bosco’s men, who all possessed the same look. He stared the man down but didn’t make a scene. His look seemed to be enough because the man turned around went back the way he came.
As if nothing had happened, the man walked away and leaned against the wall, watching me while trying to be discreet about it.
I crossed the street, my heart still beating fast. Something told me that was one of Bosco’s men, and he had a security team following me around everywhere I went. Initially, I was pissed that he’d breached my privacy like that.
But then I felt nothing but gratitude.
Maybe that man wasn’t going to do anything at all. Maybe I was just being paranoid.
Or maybe he was going to rob me at gunpoint and scar Luca forever.
Or even worse, he was gonna take Luca away from me.
Now I would never have to find out.
We sat at the kitchen table together while Luca completed his homework. He snacked on a plate of sliced apples while he worked on his sheets. Sometimes he asked me for help, and I was relieved I was able to help him. Math had always been my strongest subject, but I would have been embarrassed if I’d forgotten my basic skills.
A knock sounded on the door. “That must be your mom.” I checked the peephole first before I let them inside. “Hey, guys. How’s it going?”
Mia hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. “So great. We went to pick up my wedding dress. Conway had a special designer make it for me.”
“Wow, that was nice. I bet it’s beautiful.”
Mia went to Luca at the kitchen table and kissed him on the head. “Hey, sweetheart. Did you have a fun day?”
Carter came inside next, nearly a foot taller than me. Looking at him made me realize he and Bosco were the same height. Thinking about the dangerous man I was sleeping with suddenly made me feel guilty since Carter would never approve. “Did you see the dress?”
“No,” he said quickly. “I just took her down there. We had lunch, spent some time together.”
It was hard to believe my manwhore brother was getting married. He’d never had a girlfriend in his life, and then he met Mia under the worst circumstances, and that changed his life forever.
“How was Luca?”
“Great, as usual. We had lunch, and he’s been working on his homework ever since.”
“He’s a good kid,” Carter said proudly.
“Very sweet.”
Carter walked to him and kissed him on the head. “How’s my little man?”
“Great!” He picked up his math homework. “Aunt Carmen helped me finish it.”
“That’s awesome.” Carter helped him pack his stuff into his backpack. “Let’s get going. Mom’s gotta get dinner on the table.”
“Alright.” Luca put on his backpack then walked up to me. “Thanks for picking me up, Aunt Carmen.”
