by Nina Singh
“As you can see, we’re doing fine,” Marco said, then handed Enzo a toy train. “And you’re a bad liar, dear wife.”
“Don’t call me that.”
“But that’s what you are—my unemployed wife.”
The blood drained from her face. How could he know?
“You no longer have a job, do you?”
She swallowed. “Of course I do. There wasn’t that much—”
Marco didn’t let her finish. “Darling, your chef Ansigne called here. It appears you left your box of knives and tools behind. He’d like you to come get them as soon as possible as he needs the locker for your replacement.”
“Fine. I was fired today. Does that make you happy?”
“Of course not. But you don’t need to worry about finances.”
“That’s what you say.”
“It’s a fact. You’re the mother of my child. Technically, you’re still my wife.”
“I won’t be much longer.”
“Even so, there’s no need to rush. You and Enzo will always be financially secure. I’ll see to it.”
Of course he would see to it—it meant he could toss her aside with no guilt.
How in the world had she ended up in this predicament? Her career was on the cusp of taking off before she’d gotten pregnant. Apparently, a three-year break could be career suicide.
“Take care of your son, Marco. You have no need to take care of me. I can fend for myself. I always have.”
“Ever the independent one.”
“In any case, you don’t really need to concern yourself,” she said, just to spite him. “Seeing as our adventure is over.”
“Enzo, why don’t you go play with the train track we set up in the other room?” he said, his eyes never leaving hers. The child immediately obeyed. Which was very surprising, for Enzo.
Marco moved around the table and closed the distance between them. Brianna’s heart pounded as he approached. Why couldn’t she keep her emotions in check when it came to this man?
“As brief as our affair was to be, the fact remains that it resulted in a child.” His voice was cold and tight.
“It should have never resulted in marriage.”
“I apologize if my wish to legitimize my son put a cramp in your lifestyle.”
She sucked in a breath at those words. “What makes you think it did?”
Her regret came too late. The falsehood broke the last of Marco’s hold on his temper. In less than a second, he had moved to within inches of where she stood.
“You dare toy with me about such things?” he demanded, his breath hot against her cheek.
To Brianna’s horror, her wayward body immediately reacted. A curl of deep, scorching heat erupted in her belly and traveled slowly lower. She wanted to move but seemed unable to. All she could feel was his heat.
“Marco, just stop. I can’t fight with you right now,” she pleaded, totally depleted of energy all of a sudden. Having him here was wreaking havoc on her senses. A part of her longed for him, had ached to see him and feel him again. But another part, a more logical one, knew better.
That was the part she needed to focus on. It took all of her will to step away. Scooting back around the table, she fought to catch her breath.
Marco stayed where he was. She suspected Enzo’s presence in the next room was to thank for that. His breathing was harsh.
“Bree, I don’t want to fight either. It’s just—”
She held up a hand to stop him from saying any more. “I wish you hadn’t shown up here unannounced.”
“But I am here.”
“Right, to see Enzo. Well, you have. Please leave.”
He looked away and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Is that what you really want?”
“Yes,” she managed to choke out.
He nodded once. “And what of all the loose ends?”
“Which are?”
His eyes fell on Enzo. “Visitation arrangements.”
Of course. “I promise you I’ll compromise fully,” she said. “I have no interest in keeping him away from you.”
He remained silent a moment, his eyes still fixed on his son. “Thank you for that.” Then he glanced back at her. “There is also the matter of finances.”
“I fully intend to go back to work.”
“How? You have no sitter.”
“I told you, I have a backup. I’ve already spoken to him. He can start full-time tomorrow.”
Marco’s eyebrows shot up just as Brianna realized what she’d said.
“He?” Marco asked.
“Now don’t start anything.”
“So you have a gentleman friend who watches my son.”
She really didn’t want to go down this path. No good could possibly come of it. “He’s hardly a gentleman friend, Marco. He’s a local college student studying elementary education, and he happens to love being around children.”
“Who else does he love being around?”
“He’s merely a caregiver,” Brianna said through gritted teeth. “A very good one. And he’s very dependable. Unlike Mrs. Schelling.”
Marco leaned over and gripped the table with both hands.
“Curtis only sits for me.”
“I see. Exactly how well do you know him?”
Brianna didn’t want to care that he was jumping to all the wrong conclusions. She didn’t want to care that he didn’t trust her. Why would he? He’d never bothered to know her fully, to know her true character.
One uncharacteristic night of her life, due to a recent breakup, her broken heart had driven her into the arms of a stranger. She’d met Marco only hours earlier, and was in awe of the fact that someone like him actually found her attractive. In a party full of starlets and models, one she was merely attending as the hired help, he’d somehow sought her attention. It took her only hours to fall head over heels in love. And about the same amount of time for her to fall into his bed.
It had been the most intense week of her life. In many ways, she’d been drawn to Marco more than the man she’d been seeing for close to two years before he’d unceremoniously dumped her to pursue a career in Los Angeles.
It had all been so awkward afterward. They were no more than strangers but they’d been intimate. Then, when she’d found out she was carrying their child, it hardly seemed the time to discuss ways to get to know each other better. Not when major decisions had to be made.
“How well, Brianna?” he repeated.
“I know him well enough,” she said, suddenly angry. Marco had no power over her. And he had no right to repeatedly judge her so. She noticed his grip on the table tighten.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” she said loudly, then glanced at Enzo. He wasn’t used to his mama raising her voice. “Curtis is a very fine young man, just barely in his twenties. There is nothing between us besides an employer-worker relationship.”
“You’re not out of your twenties yourself.”
There was no point in defending herself. It wouldn’t work. She shouldn’t even need to, not if he truly loved her.
That was laughable. Love had nothing to do with their marriage, not for Marco. He’d just said it himself—it was merely an attempt to legitimize his son.
She smiled, uncaring now that it would inflame his anger. “Nevertheless, I’ve made my decisions,” she said. “I already have some job prospects I can call about. My replacement sitter is lined up. And as soon as you and I work out visitation rights, you can leave.”
She was turning to get Enzo when his next words stopped her.
“There’s only one problem with all of that.”
“And that would be?”
He crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I have no intention of leaving. I’ll be here at least the week.”
* * *
Where had that come from?
Marco watched Brianna’s eyebrows rise nearly to her hairline. Well, he was surprised himself at what he’d just said. But it was quite logical really. The woman was a wreck. For goodness’ sake, she’d just lost her job, she couldn’t hold on to a babysitter and now she was suggesting that Enzo stay in the care of a young man. Brianna needed someone with a strong, sure hand to take care of such issues in a mature, logical manner. Someone like him.
The flush on her cheeks and the eyes throwing daggers at him made it clear she thought otherwise. “I didn’t realize this was to be an extended stay.”
Neither had he. “It just so happens, some business came up that I need to tend to in New York.” That was the absolute truth. So what if the “business” he was referring to directly involved her?
“Of course you have business.”
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing. Only that I should have realized you would find a way to multitask.”
What he wanted was to find a way to keep his son safe. Who exactly was this Curtis to his wife and child? What if Curtis was the type who wanted to just step in and take over another man’s life? He would have found an instant family with Brianna and Enzo. The thought had his blood pressure pounding.
“And where do you plan on staying?” Brianna asked.
“Your place is small but there should be enough room.”
She gave him a withering look. “My place?”
“That’s right. I’ll stay here.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “Now, why wouldn’t you stay at a hotel in Times Square near the Dirici offices?”
“Because Times Square is miles away from Enzo.”
“Which would suit me just fine, seeing as he’ll be very well taken care of between me and Curtis. If you have such urgent business, you can hardly be expected to spend any time with him.”
“I can make time. Especially since I’m in the same city.”
She remained silent a moment then lifted her chin. “No.”
“No?”
“I said no.”
“I beg your pardon.”
“I refuse to let you stay here.”
He couldn’t help his smile. “Afraid to be in such close quarters?”
“I should think that was obvious.”
“How about if I promise to behave?”
“You can behave in Times Square.”
“Are you saying I should take Enzo with me?”
Brianna’s mouth tightened. “Don’t even think about it. He stays with me.”
“Then I’m not quite sure what we’re arguing about. All you have to do is call this male nanny and tell him the offer has been rescinded.”
“Absolutely not. I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” he demanded.
She shook her head very slowly. “I don’t want to.”
He walked over and picked up the phone. “Fine. I’ll do it. What’s his number?”
“No, you can’t. Listen, you don’t understand.”
“What is there to understand?”
Her chin quivered. “Curtis needs this. He really needs the position.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“He needs the job. He just told me today that my offer couldn’t have come at a better time. He’s experiencing some cash problems and really needs the money.”
“Why is any of that my problem?”
She moved over to him and reached for the phone. Marco held on to it. “Please. I would feel awful telling him he won’t be getting the funds after all. He told me he couldn’t even afford new books for next semester.”
“You seem awfully concerned with Curtis’s well-being.”
Brianna’s hand fell to her side. “You wouldn’t understand.”
Marco understood very well. Curtis sounded like a lovestruck adolescent. Or worse, an opportunist. The young cad was probably pursuing not only his wife but also what little money she had. No doubt he’d connected her last name to the Dirici Foods empire. He was most likely using her generosity and naivety to his utmost advantage. It merely proved Marco’s point. Brianna needed his protection. She was clearly easy to manipulate.
There was only one sure way to stop the pup from sniffing around her any longer. “Tell him your husband is back.”
“That’s not going to help his financial situation,” she said a little shakily.
Marco sighed. “How about if I pay him anyway?”
A knowing look appeared in her eyes. “Yet again, that’s your solution to everything. Throwing money at it. Well, forget it. He would never accept money for work he didn’t do.”
Curtis had done quite a number on her. “We’ll tell him it’s because we’re retracting the offer on such short notice.”
“He’s too proud.”
“What a paragon. Did it ever occur to you that you might be being manipulated?”
She glared at him. “You would think that.”
He held up the phone. “Just give me his number.”
“He truly needs the money, Marco. I told him he had a full-time job.”
This was getting quite tiring. “Brianna, I’m not leaving. My son needs me.” And so did she.
Brianna nodded and looked down. “This isn’t about that.”
Oh, hell. “Fine.” He slammed the phone down. “Call him later and tell him the job description has changed.”
She looked up, searching his face. “What do you mean?”
“Essentially, he’s to be on call. I’ll ask him to come over if I need to be at the office or if there’s a business matter I’m attending to. We’ll pay him the same amount because we’re asking him to be available at all times during the week. He can either take it or leave it. It’s my final offer.”
Her shoulders dropped with clear relief and she smiled. “I’m sure he’ll take it. He told me he was really desperate for money.”
“I’m sure he is.”
“I would have felt awful, Marco. I just couldn’t tell him he was out of luck again. He said my call was like an answer to a prayer.”
A disquieting feeling settled in Marco’s chest. Somehow, he’d just agreed to help Brianna’s male nanny. This woman made him do the most foolish things. First, making him decide he’d stay, now this. “Yes, well. As long as you understand that I’ll be here for a while.”
“I understand.”
“Good. I’ll go see what Enzo’s up to.”
She stepped in front of him. “Um, I just wanted to—” She halted, looked away again.
“Yes?”
“I mean, it’s really hard to not know where your next dollar is coming from. What you did, it was—” She hesitated and returned her gaze to his face. He pondered what she’d just said about not knowing where your next dollar was coming from. Brianna had spent her childhood moving from foster home to foster home after being abandoned by her parents. That much he knew. Though not much more. She didn’t particularly like to talk about her past. He could hardly blame her. Sometimes the past was better left behind where it belonged. In that, at least he and Brianna had something in common.
No wonder the marriage had fallen apart.
“What is it, Brianna?”
“I just want to say thanks.”
She smiled and he could have sworn he felt warmth in every cell of his body. How childish of him. And he’d accused her of being easy to manipulate.
He mumbled a brief response. Then he had to make himself turn away. Before he did something really stupid.
“Really, Marco,” she said behind him.
“It’s not a big deal, Brianna.”
“Curtis would disagree.”
“I couldn’t care less what your Curtis thinks.”
“I’m just trying
to say that he’d appreciate it, that’s all. And I appreciate it too.”
He turned to tell her the truth, to just admit it. He’d relented because of her.
But something else entirely came out of his mouth. “You know exactly how to get your way, don’t you?”
“What?” Brianna looked at him in bafflement. “What is that supposed to mean?”
“A flick of the lashes. A flirtatious look here and there. And I did exactly what you wanted. Your precious Curtis still has a job. And you’ve still got your feminine wiles. Let’s just move on now, shall we?”
She slammed her hands on her hips. “Why? Why did I think you were capable of any decency? You’re still exactly the same, aren’t you? Nothing’s changed.”
“Apparently not.”
“For the briefest moment back then I thought perhaps you might have grown a little. What a fool I can be.”
“Then we have something in common, after all.”
“Hah,” she barked. “We don’t have a thing in common.”
“Are you finished? I believe Enzo may be ready for bed.”
Brianna threw her hands up. “Yes. I believe we’re done.”
She stomped toward Enzo and picked him up. “I’ll be upstairs giving Enzo his bath,” she said. “After that, I’m going to bed.”
“I’ll help you.”
She whirled around.
Marco rolled his eyes. “With Enzo’s bath, I meant.”
She glared at him. “You’ll find the spare room upstairs. I don’t even want to know you’re here for the next week. Do you understand?”
Now that, Marco thought, watching her go up the stairs, would be easier said than done.
CHAPTER FOUR
COFFEE. SOMEONE HAD definitely brewed coffee. There was a ray of light streaming through the small crack of the blind on her bedroom window. The bright sun outside told her it was later than her usual wake-up time. Much later. And there was something else. It was quiet. Way too quiet. She fumbled around for the digital clock. It was almost eight.
Brianna jolted upright and climbed out of bed. Something wasn’t right. Enzo never slept this late.
Panic clenched at her chest as she hastened her way to his nursery. Gripping the door handle, she braced herself for all the possible horrors that might explain why Enzo hadn’t woken yet. Was he ill? Had he hurt himself somehow?