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“What are you going to name her? I mean, Veraminta is a pretty cool name. Although I’m leaning more toward Stinkybum.”
“Papi!” She giggled. “No, I thinking I call her Arabella.”
“That’s a pretty name.”
She glanced over at the big toy kitchen.
“You know, I’m awfully hungry,” he said. “Do you think you can make me something to eat?”
“You don’t have to go to work, Papi?”
“Not yet. Will you make me a burger?”
“Of course, Papi. Anything for you.” She didn’t really feel like walking, though. She glanced over at Alejandro, but he was busy giving Arabella a stern look.
Oh, well. If he didn’t like anything he’d tell her, right?
“Just do whatever comes naturally,” he murmured to her as he picked up the tray of food and set it down in the hallway.
Doomy Gloomy was going to see that she’d drunk some of the bottle. But she decided not to worry about that.
Alejandro settled in the chair in the corner of the room and drew out his phone.
She crawled toward the toy kitchen. She could sense his gaze on her, but when she looked over, he was staring down at his phone.
There was play food in the kitchen and she used it to make him a burger, putting it on a plate.
“Do you want fries, Papi?” she called out without looking.
“Yes, please,” he replied, sounding far closer than she’d expected.
She glanced over with a shocked look to find him sitting on the rug, his phone away.
Pleasure filled her.
“Why don’t I come closer so you don’t have to bring the plate over.”
That worked since she didn’t feel like walking right now.
He took the plate and pretended to eat the food, making appropriately appreciative noises.
“That was delicious,” he praised. “What a good job you did making Papi a burger.”
It might have been silly, but she felt herself puffing up in pride.
“Can you make me some pie now?”
She didn’t know how long they played with the kitchen, but after a while, she started to yawn and rub her eyes. Arabella had woken up a few times and she’d had to see to her needs.
Who knew a baby could be so demanding?
“I think it’s time you had a nap,” Alejandro said.
“Nuh-uh, Papi.” She pouted. “I want to keep playing.”
“Baby girls need lots of naps. And they get to have their pacifier while they nap.”
She perked up at that.
He smiled. “Thought that might work. You’ll need to go potty first and I’ll get Bernard to make you another bottle.”
He sent off a text before picking her up and carrying her to the bathroom. Yet again, he wouldn’t let her pee by herself.
So. Embarrassing.
Then he carried her back into the bedroom and laid her down on the bed.
“Hmm. Perhaps we need a changing table.”
Her eyes widened and he grinned wickedly. “To get you changed. What else did you think I meant?”
He set a pillow on either side of her. “So you don’t slip off the bed while I’m getting you something to sleep in and your bottle.”
Bernie must have left the bottle outside in the hallway, because he returned quickly with it. Then he grabbed a pink nightie with frilly white around the hem and arms.
Totally not her.
But she didn’t protest as he got her changed, then swaddled her in the blanket before he sat on the bed and drew her onto his lap.
Leaning over, he picked up the bottle. She took the nipple into her mouth.
“That’s it. Good girl. What a good girl for Papi you are. That’s it, just close your eyes. Papi has you. I’ll keep you safe.”
39
Where the fuck was that bitch?
Alejandro had his men searching for Starla, but she seemed to have gone underground.
He sighed as he entered his office at The Circus of the Dark. He hadn’t wanted to leave Cat after their day together, but there were things he had to do. He’d waited until she’d fallen asleep to leave, though.
Where the hell was Starla?
Fucking bitch.
He’d checked on The Scot before leaving the house. He was staying in one of the basement rooms in his house, which he kept open for his men. Aaron was pleased with his progress, so that was something.
A knock on his door had him looking up. “Come in.”
Mikey walked in, holding up a white charger. “Got that charger from Cat’s apartment you wanted.”
“Great. Thanks.”
Shit. He hadn’t given her stuff to her. She hadn’t asked again, either. But she’d spent the day in Little headspace. Once he’d gotten her to start playing, she hadn’t wanted to stop.
He’d had to threaten her with corner time to get her to settle into an afternoon nap.
Fuck. It had been a good day.
Unfortunately, her phone was at his home office. He’d charge it when he got home.
Mikey left, and he got on with his list of jobs. He ignored a request from Dante to call him. They came at least once a week.
