Total pages in book: 161
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151410 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
“Later,” I mouthed back. I didn’t want Dad to think my worry was related to living on my own. He’d jump on that wagon without hesitation and insist I live at home instead.
Dad and Diego walked through every room of the apartment—two bedrooms, a shared bathroom and a living room with open kitchen—to check it for any security concerns yet again. Every inch of the entire complex had already been checked by them in the weeks before. The security guards were probably already sick of Dad’s criticism and suggestions for improvement.
Mom went into my room with me. She helped me put on sheets and hang up a few photos from our family and Carlotta and me. Once everything was in place, except for my clothes, which I wanted to sort into my closet later, Mom let out a sigh. “Wow, this really hits me harder than I’d thought.” Tears glistened in her eyes.
I went over to her and wrapped my arms around her. “I’m only a ten-minute car ride away, and you still have Davide.”
Mom nodded, but I could tell that she wasn’t really consoled. I felt a bit sad too, but I simply wanted to have my own place with Carlotta. I wanted to be responsible for cooking, for housework… and now a child.
Dad came in. He wrapped an arm around Mom, and she leaned into him. “She’s safe, Leona.”
“I doubt Mom’s crying because of safety concerns,” I said with a laugh.
Mom laughed too, but it sounded a bit choked. Dad frowned at her, and she swatted his arm lightly. “I’m fine. Go give her the lecture, you surely have in mind.”
“The building is closely guarded, Aurora. Don’t give the security codes to anyone.”
It was why Nevio would smuggle Battista into the apartment and then the poor kid would probably have to stay inside for a while until he and I came up with a plan how to get him in and out without anyone noticing, or until we found an explanation for a kid visiting me, or better yet, until Nevio told his parents and they’d figure out a final solution for the boy. He needed a forever home, a forever family, and that could only be the Falcones.
“I know, Dad. I know where every single emergency button is in this building. I know the names and faces of every security guard on the premises…”
I trailed off at the look on Dad’s face. “I’m going to be okay.”
Fifteen minutes later, Carlotta and I had finally managed to usher her brother and my parents out of the apartment. The moment the door closed, Carlotta sighed, grinned, and rushed over to the sofa, where she flung herself down with widely spread arms. “Freedom!”
I grinned. “Not quite but better than nothing.” I quickly messaged Nevio that the coast was clear. As the Capo’s son, no guards would stop him from entering the premises. I just wondered how he’d get Battista into the apartment.
I sank down beside Carlotta, trying to come up with the gentlest way to break the news of our new house guest to her. “Will you have Massimo over now that your brother isn’t breathing down your neck anymore?” I asked instead.
Carlotta pursed her lips. “We’re just friends.”
I gave her a doubtful look.
She shrugged. “Why would he come over by himself? Maybe the trio comes over for movie night or so, but do you even want Nevio around? I thought you were trying to put some distance between you and him.”
That was working splendidly, now that I had agreed to take care of his son. Why was I such a sucker for people who needed help?
My phone beeped with a message from Nevio, in which he informed me that he was already in the elevator. I jumped up from the sofa.
Carlotta still lay spread-eagle on the sofa, her brown curls flung about her, and she made a face that expressed her concern for my sanity. “What’s wrong?”
I bit my lip when a knock sounded. “This is Nevio.”
“Nevio?” She sat up and swung her legs down. I gave her an apologetic smile then hurried to the door. Nevio must have waited with Battista right around the corner to be here this quickly after everyone left.
I opened the door, and my eyes widened in surprise. Nevio waited in front of it, no surprise there, but instead of Battista, he carried a huge cardboard box. Had he left the boy in the car and decided to carry his stuff up first?
“This is getting heavy,” he said with a cocked eyebrow. I stepped back, and opened the door wider. He passed by, and I closed the door after finding nothing and no one else in the hallway.
He put the box down slowly and opened the lid. My eyes widened in surprise. Inside was Battista in his carrier, fast asleep. “You put him in a box?” I asked.