Page 5 of Secret Seduction

Then it escalated. Dani was taken from Matteo’s underground fight and tied to a chair in a cargo container. Threats were made for the Antonovs to give up their territory in Harbor Point.

When they didn’t heed the warning, the women were attacked during Bri’s bridal shower that her best friend, Nicole, was hosting. Since Bri is Dominick and Matteo’s younger sister, our initial thought was that the men who had shot up the place were gunning for her. Until one of them admitted they were there for Nicole, the mayor’s daughter—and another piece was added to the puzzle. It confirmed the mayor was working with Leysa Santiago, and when he hadn’t done as she wanted, she had gone after his family.

But of course, the psycho didn’t stop there. The most recent incident involved Bri getting taken from her Pilates studio and damn near raped on a cargo ship. Luckily, her husband, Kane, and Matteo got to her in time.

The problem is, Leysa is playing games. Rather than gunning for the Antonovs, she’s fucking with them. Trying to show that she’s in control. And because she’s so unpredictable, Matteo, Kane, and Dominick have insisted their wives keep a low profile, only going out in public when necessary.

“I hate that bitch,” Dani whines. “I’m usually all for woman empowerment, but I really hope you kill her soon.”

Matteo chuckles. “You and me both.” He leans in and kisses her temple. “But until we do, if you want to go back to work, it needs to be from home.”

She sighs but nods in understanding.

“Speaking of which …” She turns her attention back to me. “When are you hiring a nanny so you can go back to work?”

“I’ve—” I begin, but she cuts me off.

“Let me rephrase. When are you going to keep a nanny long enough for you to go back to work?”

“They keep hitting on me,” I grit out, making Matteo bark out a laugh.

I wish I were joking, but I’m not. After I kicked Hillary to the curb, the nanny who was working for me took it like I was in the market for a new mom for Leo. The first time she hit on me, I thought I was seeing shit. But when it happened again, I knew it wasn’t in my head.

So, I fired her, and the agency sent another one …

“Two nannies, and both of them were fired after they tried to throw themselves at me,” I tell her. “Is it too much to expect a nanny to … I don’t know … care for my child? How the hell am I supposed to trust them with my son when their main focus is trying to get into my pants?”

“So, tell the agency you need someone older,” Dani points out.

“I have. They don’t have anyone available. I’m on a waiting list.”

“Fine.” She drops her hand onto her hip. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t go to the Bahamas for Kane and Bri’s wedding.”

“I already saw them get married,” I say dryly. “White dress, black tux. Vows exchanged. Everyone got drunk. Been there, done that. Once was enough.”

Matteo snorts, and Dani glares. I simply shrug because I’m not wrong. Sure, the first wedding was forced—when Kane came into town, declaring he was Joseph’s secret son, who took over the business after his father died and was on a mission to avenge his father’s death. Unlike Enrique, he was smart about it and blackmailed us into letting him in on the waterfront expansion deal—which, thankfully, despite Leysa’s best efforts, is coming along nicely.

But quickly, Kane proved to be a formidable ally instead of an enemy. He fell in love with Bri, and they’re expecting their first baby—a little girl—in November.

Wanting to give Bri everything, Kane has planned the wedding of her dreams in the Bahamas since she loves the beach. Why they can’t get married on the beach here—I mean, they literally live on the beach—I have no clue.

“You need to stop this shit,” Dani accuses. “Hillary fucked you over. It sucks. But she was a nasty bitch, and one bad seed shouldn’t spoil the bunch.”

“In case you forgot, I’m a single dad because the bitch tried to steal from me and then signed over her rights so she wouldn’t go to jail. I’m focusing on being a dad to Leo. That’s my priority.”

“And you’re a damn good dad,” Dani says, her voice softer. “But you deserve a little break. I spoke to our nannies, Clarise and Daria, and they don’t mind keeping Leo as well. We’ll, of course, pay them extra, but two of them can handle our two babies.”

“You know she’s not going to stop until you give in,” Matteo points out.

“Remember when you were my best friend?” I grumble.

“And I still am.” He shrugs. “But now I’m Dani’s husband, and since she gives me⁠—”

“Nope!” I bark, sticking my fingers in my ears like a petulant child. “Don’t you finish that sentence.”

Since my best friend and sister have gotten together, I’ve walked in on them having sex too many times to count, and while I’m happy they’ve found love, I don’t want to see it or hear about it.

“Okay, I’ll go,” I agree.