Page 32 of Merciless Monster

“Sure.”

“I’d love to stay here, but you have a son and I don’t want to impose.”

“Of course. I understand. I’ll call an estate agent friend of mine.”

“Do you have to work tonight?”

“No. I called George and asked if I could take a few days off. I figured you’d need me.”

“Mia, I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. You are perfect.”

“You’ll sing a different tune when I’m drawing my PMS sorrows in chocolate and red wine,” she chuckles.

“Impossible. Now, come over here. I can’t reach my back with one bum arm and there’s a dirty spot that needs cleaning. You’d better take off your clothes too. I don't want you getting all wet.”

“You, Dante De Luca, are a bad man,” she grins, taking off her T-shirt and sliding off her jeans.

“And just like that there’s an extra bit for you to wash,” I purr as she gets into the tub with me.

“I have a feeling I’m going to be dirtier than I was by the time this bath is done,” she giggles.

“Beautiful and smart. Who’s the lucky patient?”

8

MIA

My life has been a whirlwind since Dante stumbled into it. It’s odd how one person can cause such a drastic shift in one’s existence simply by being there. Dante has changed my life in a profound way. And not just mine but Angelo’s too. Our son seems to be drawn instinctively to his father without knowing why.

Dante is so gentle with him. I’m starting to wonder if I did the right thing by not telling him about his son. I’m wracked with guilt at the moment. Seeing them together is torture. How am I going to explain my selfish decision to Dante when the time comes? Damn it!

“What do you think?”

Dante interrupts my mental flatulations. We’re looking at a house in the hills. The property isn't officially on the market just yet, but Candice decided to show it to Dante when I called her and explained to her what he was looking for.

“It’s incredible. A dream home. Do you like it?”

“Yeah. I do.”

Candice is outside in the garden. She’s an excellent sales person. I hate it when agents walk you through a house, pointing out the obvious features. I mean, I know what a kitchen looks like for Heaven’s sake. Not every buyer enjoys it when a stranger hangs around when they’re trying to make up their mind about a new home. It’s irritating.

“Are you going to make an offer?” I ask, trying my best to focus.

“Well, the place is rather big. I’m not sure I want to live here all by myself. I’d feel a bit like a fart in a windstorm.”

“It is expansive.”

“Idohave an idea,” he says, like a cat that got into the cream.

“Oh, do you now?”

“Uh-huh. It would be a waste, me living here all alone. What would you say about moving in with me? You and little Angelo.”

Moving in together! The thought makes my insides shake. It’s a big step.

“I know it’s a big step…”

Mind reader.

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