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“Isolation,” she began, “to be or remain alone or apart from others. Gina said that’s what you are doing.”
“The girl in her class,” Benny said, stepping up behind me.
“She said you’re an evil man, too.” Rocca sniffed. “You hurt a lot of people to get rich. She said you were mean and ugly, and you hated me most of all. It’s why you were isolating me, so I’d never learn the truth.”
Benny sighed. “I’ve told you, Roc, she’s a bully who will say anything to make you feel bad. It’s what bullies do.”
“Everything she said is true,” Rocca yelped. “Look at where I am.”
“Because someone tried to kill you.” I was exasperated, and we hadn’t even discussed Collins. “What kind of father would I be if I allowed you to get hurt? I can’t lose you too.” The vulnerability of being laid bare by my daughter left me exposed and feeling weak. I didn’t like it. This wasn’t me. The old me would have killed anyone who got in my way and not cared if I died. As a father, I couldn’t allow my old ways to corrupt the life I chose all those years ago when I said “I do,” to Rosalina.
“I don’t care,” she sobbed. “I don’t care what happens anymore. My life is ruined. I probably don’t have any friends either.”
“I doubt that,” I murmured. “If they aren’t your friends because you have a tutor now, then they didn’t care about you to begin with, Rocca. With our kind of money comes status and power. Some kids see that as a stepping stone to better things. Perhaps you should ask yourself, whether your so-called friends liked you because you’re a great kid with a wonderful sense of humor mixed with sarcasm, or because they saw the Daidone name and thought they could earn favor with you and in part, me.”
“That’s not true.” Hurt and rage flashed in her tear-stained eyes.
“But you just told me you’re going to lose all of your friends because they believe Gina over you.” Her chin lifted in a cute, obstinate way and I chuckled to myself. “I haven’t said you can’t chat with your friends or invite them over. I just ask, for now, until we can find the person responsible for trying to take you away from me, you stay home and go to school here. Work with me, Rocca, not against me.”
“What if I hate my tutor?”
“Then I get you another one until you’re happy,” I replied, though I believed Collins would be the perfect fit for Rocca.
“I still don’t like you very much,” she pouted.
“That’s okay. If it means you’re alive, I fulfill my promise to your mother.” I stood then. “Your tutor’s name is Collins. You’ll meet her in the morning unless you can persuade Benny to take you to the cottage to meet her on your own. I think you and her will have fun together.”
“What kind of name is Collins, anyway?” Rocca stared up at me, defeat etched across her soft cherub features.
“Interesting, if I had to wager a guess,” I said before turning. “Come down and get some lunch. I’m sure Mrs. Petry has it already waiting for us.”
“Fine.” Rocca hoisted herself off her canopy bed. “I’ll eat.”
“Wonderful.” I placed my hand on her shoulder as we walked out. Maybe I’d averted one catastrophe.
When I returned from spending a few hours at the office because of some meetings I’d almost forgot about, I found Collins roaming around the downstairs portion of the house. By the lateness of the hour, Mrs. Petry would have been the one to let her in. Benny would have gone home, and Rocca would also be in bed while one of the other men watched over her.
Collins looked so out of place in my home. So anxious as she nibbled on the corner of her thumbnail while she tried to figure out a troubling puzzle. Curious, I watched her for a moment, waiting to announce my presence. What was she looking for? Did it have to be anything or just something? She eased through the house, going toward the front room. Her gaze skimmed the plentiful books tucked into their places on their shelves.
“Most of those are classics,” I said, finally giving myself away.
She yelped in surprise, placing her hand to her chest as she shook like a leaf. Her body tensed, and her eyes went wide with fear. Was I missing something deeper than simple startled fear from shock? I prided myself on being able to read people, but Collins... I couldn’t tell whether she was about to laugh or beg for her life. The former would be more appropriate. The latter, well, the latter left a sour taste in my mouth and churned up more questions than could be answered, standing there in the middle of my house.
“You scared me,” she finally whispered, after taking several deep breaths. “I thought I was the only one awake.”
“Ah, well,” I said, trying to ease her worry while pushing away my inquires. “I was at the office until a little while ago.”
“Obviously,” she replied with a small huff. “Mrs. Petry said as much.”
“Were you looking for anything in particular?” I pointed to the books, changing the subject. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, but if you have a specific... Genre, I could help you.”
“They’re all classics.” She smirked, repeating my words. “I was hoping to find something to put me to sleep. I suppose I could drop one of them on my head. Although, after that shock...” Collins gave me a once over, and I swore I could feel her heated stare straight through my clothes. I should be ashamed of myself for finding pleasure in the singular action, especially when the woman standing before me was so young—by almost twenty years.
“You could,” I replied. “Or you could...” What? Do what? Follow me up to bed? No. I wouldn’t bethattype of man. Yes, I had wants and needs, but I had a system. I had women I could count on to fulfill such, with a single phone call. I wouldn’t take advantage of the situation Collins was in, no matter how appealing she was to me.
“Are you trying to seduce me?” She laughed as she stepped closer. “Remember, we’re not supposed to lie to each other.”
I grunted.
