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I realize I’ve been wrong this entire time. I initially took his aloofness to mean he wasn’t connecting with Felicia, but now it’s obvious he simply doesn’t want to hurt her. He’s a big bad mafioso, someone trained in the art of extortion, money laundering, loan sharking… caring for children isn’t exactly one of his specialties.
“Hold her like this, silly,” I say, readjusting his hold so Felicia can sit more comfortably on his forearm. “There, isn’t that better?”
Dominic is still stiff, but he looks nowhere near as awkward. “I suppose.”
I watch them in amusement. There’s something about a big man holding a tiny child that makes me feel all gooey inside. I return to the kitchen and turn off the tap before I accidentally flood the whole apartment, leaving Felicia in her father’s care.
She isn’t aware of who Dominic is yet, and I’m not too sure how to go about telling her. She’s so young and has the attention span of a goldfish; the news might not take hold the way I expect it to.
Felicia rests her cheek against Dominic’s shoulder, sucking on her thumb while clutching his shirt with her other hand. She always gets sleepy after she’s had a couple of snacks.
“Wanna watchPaw Patrol,” she mumbles tiredly.
I smile. “Okay, sweetie. How about you go sit on the couch?”
She shakes her head. “Wanna stay here.”
I can’t help but laugh. Children are always so wonderfully indecisive. I glance at Dominic, admiring the undeniable fondness in his eyes. “I guess she wants you to join her.”
“Must be,” he mumbles softly before carrying her to the living room without complaint.
“Mommy, come too!”
“Alright, sweetie. I’m coming.”
Dominic sits down on the cushion and turns on the TV for her, Felicia sitting comfortably in his lap while holding on to his hand like she’s afraid he’ll leave. I take the spot next to them, but I’m quickly pulled in close when Dominic slings an arm over my shoulder like we’ve done this a million times before.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry tears of joy. Being together like this… I didn’t know how much I wanted it until this very moment. They look good together, the tough wiseguy and his mini-me daughter. It’s pretty obvious Dominic doesn’t care for Ryder and his awesome pups, but he endures episode after episode until Felicia is out like a light, snoring against his chest and drooling on his Armani shirt.
Once he’s sure she’s fast asleep, Dominic says, “We need to talk.”
I pick up the remote and lower the volume on the TV. “That sounds ominous, but then I guess this whole situation kind ofis.”
“I want you to consider putting your fashion show on hold.”
Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I muster up the courage to ask, “Why?”
“I know this is something you’ve been greatly looking forward to—”
“Yes, for years.”
“—but the attack the other day at the bar has proven to me how easily my enemies can get to you. You asked the other day if Miriam might have been in on the attack; my sources tell me that’s not the case. It was merely a coincidence.”
“Why am I sensing abutcoming?”
“But,” he says, “it’s evident that I don’t know who to trust. Until I can figure out what’s going on, I’m the only one I trust to ensure you and our little one’s safety.”
“Are you… saying you’re going to be my bodyguard?”
“If you want the job done right and all that,” he says casually.
I read his expression carefully. He’s dead serious. “Dom… I can’t give up my dream.”
“I’m not asking you to give up. I’m merely asking you to postpone it.”
While I understand his logic, my disappointment is immeasurable. Just when I thought things were lining up for me, shit just had to go wrong. Still, Dominic’s right. I’d rather live to see another day. There will always be another New York Fashion Week, always another chance to share my talents with the world. The only reason I was pushing so hard to launch my label and find success was because I wanted to provide for my daughter. I’m obviously still determined to work hard to achieve my goals, but with Dominic in the picture, maybe I don’t have to work myself to the bone.
I may be stubborn, but I’m not going to put on a fashion show at the risk of being targeted. It’s time to pivot my plans, take a pause, maybe focus on building bonds as a family. Granny Ruth always used to say that when one door closes, another one opens. I’d be a fool to keep charging ahead when all the signs clearly point toward danger.
