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I can’t.
You sure?
I bite my lip, using the pain to silence the voice in my head. An objective observation of Sansone’s attractiveness is as far as anything can go between us.
But your body’s reaction to his openly lustful admiration of you in the bathroom says differently.
He surprised me. I take pains to appear the way I do, yet he seems to see through my disguise. A man like Sansone has to be perceptive in his criminal dealings, but I never expected him to be so attentive to a woman who frustrates him at every turn.
I glance at Jinx, needing the reminder to cement my reason for staying. Whatever Sansone throws at me, I’ll continue tothwart his efforts. Our only connection has to be this little girl. Distractions will only endanger the both of us.
“Val, this is my daughter Jinx.” Sansone breaks the silent standstill between himself and his brother.
“Hello, Jinx. I’m your uncle Valentino.”
His immediate acceptance of Jinx without demanding a paternity test surprises me. Then again, Sansone doesn’t doubt his relation to Jinx either. He only wants proof to grant him the legal recognition of his fatherhood.
“This is your cousin Teodoro.” Valentino smiles, transforming the stiff coldness with which he entered the room into the same charismatic expression responsible for winning his female constituents’ adoration.
Then he turns to me. I sit in silence, not offering him anything. As long as tension exists between me and Sansone, this man will never be my ally. His loyalty runs deep, and my temporary status in their lives won’t garner me any brownie points.
“This is Zakiya, my nanny.” Sansone places a palm on my shoulder.
Although an innocent gesture, the weight and subtle squeeze he gives me is a warning. Coupled with the possessive way he said ‘my nanny’ instead of Jinx’s nanny keeps me rooted to the spot.
“Nanny? Not Jinx’s mother?” Valentino frowns.
Why must everyone assume I’m the little girl’s mom? Every time someone makes the observation, I have to remind myself I’ll never be worthy enough to be her mom. And each time the truth hurts a little more.
“So where is the mother? I want to meet the woman who tormented you for months before allowing you to meet your daughter.” Valentino glares at me.
“You’ll have to pay a visit to Glenfield if you want to meet her. Not sure what answers you’ll get from a gravesite, though.” I shrug and stand.
Sansone pushes me back onto the seat with the hand he never took from my shoulder. “I allow you to talk to me however you want, but you will respect my brother.”
I glare at the man, but my evaluation of the situation leads me to hold my tongue. Not courting Valentino is one thing, openly antagonizing him defeats the purpose. He may be a mayor, but his hands are so dirty, I wouldn’t put it past him to come after me rather than hire someone to kill me.
I can probably take one of them on, but never both.
“Why aren’t you at City Hall?” Sansone asks, and the intimidating air surrounding Valentino crumples instantly.
“Because you haven’t been by to check on your nephew since he left the hospital, testa di cazzo. And since Sloane needs her rest, I thought…” Valentino glances at me. “It doesn’t matter what I thought. How could you not tell me you found your daughter? You’d been looking for her for months.”
“I was going to tell you, fratello. You know I’d never leave you out if I didn’t have a good reason.”
“But… We could experience fatherhood together. Have our kids bond early and watch each other grow in a way we didn’t.”
“And they will. Don’t fault me for wanting time to get to know my daughter. I’ve missed out on six years with her and have so much I want to learn about what she likes and… I need you to understand she comes first for me now.”
Jinx jolts and stares at Sansone. For the first time, there’s more to her stare. A curious light brightens her blue eyes. Her interest is understandable. After living with a woman who did everything to convince Jinx she was unwanted and a hex upon her life, to hear a stranger…strangers wanted her and wantto prioritize her. Not just any strangers either; her father and uncle. I can’t imagine.
Although my childhood was a world away from any semblance of a traditional one, I knew my father wanted me. He was misguided, and his love was twisted, but I never doubted where I stood with him. He’s the reason I have the skills to protect Jinx from physical threats.
But he’s also why I worry about the person Omari says is on the lookout for me.
“I think you two should talk.” I stand and offer my hand to Jinx before leading her to the door.
“Val—”
