Page 51 of Secret Seduction

Fuck, he’s got a point.

“So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

“With Leysa going quiet, she’s either given up or she’s hiding out, waiting for us to fuck up. And I’m leaning toward the latter. And since Vanessa is her new obsession, I was thinking, what if you two went out somewhere public, but not too public? Like a restaurant we own. My guys and I would be there, so she’d be completely protected, and we could try to draw that psycho bitch out from hiding.”

“I’d have to ask her and find a sitter for Leo …”

“Bri and I could watch him,” Kane says. “With her being due in a couple of months, it could be good practice.”

“You sure?” I ask.

“Yeah. She’s all nesting and shit.” Kane stands and pulls out his phone. “I’ll call and confirm with her now, but I know she’ll be on board.”

“Tonight?” Matteo asks.

“That’s last minute,” I note.

“What else are you doing tonight?” Matteo smirks like the asshole he is. “Besides, now you’ll be forced to ask her out instead of chickening out. Unless you don’t want to …”

Fucker.

“Fine, I’ll ask her out for tonight.”

Matteo grins smugly and stands. “I’ll make the arrangements. Let me know where you want to take her. I suggest Pasquale’s. They have the best Italian.”

Since I’m not sure what Vanessa likes, I nod in agreement, figuring I can’t go wrong with Italian.

“Yeah, okay. That place will work.”

“Great. Hopefully, we’ll lure this bitch out and take her out once and for all.”

With my office momentarily empty and lunch not having arrived yet, I check my phone, immediately concerned when I read a text from my sister from earlier.

Dani

I just wanted to check on Leo. Peyton said he threw up. I texted Vanessa, but haven’t heard back. If you guys need anything, I’m here.

What the fuck? Leo’s sick?

I double-check and don’t find a single call or text from Vanessa. I’m about to call her when I stop myself. I trust her, and if she thought she needed to call me, she would.

I set my phone down, but the thought of not knowing if my son is okay hits too strong, and I pick up my phone and click on the security app.

I shouldn’t do it.

But at the same time, she’s watching my son, and I had no problem watching it when the other nannies were taking care of him.

“Fuck it.”

I’ll just click on it, confirm my son’s okay, and then get out.

No harm, no foul.

I check the living room first, but it’s empty.

So, I click on the camera that shows Leo’s room. I don’t have cameras in any bedroom but his. His door is closed, and he’s sleeping soundly in his crib.

I watch his chest rise and fall for several seconds. And I’m about to exit out of the app when a red dot pops up, indicating there’s activity in the hallway.