Page 24 of Sinful Bargains

I turned to him, his eager face reminding me of something I couldn’t quite place. I didn’t fully understand why, but the kid felt like the son I’d never had. “Kid, you can do whatever you set your mind to. Let’s start with your school’s team; see where it takes you. I know Coach Artie pretty well.”

His grin stretched wider. “That’d be cool.”

The game’s final inning came down to the wire, the Yankeesclinching the win with a walk-off hit. The stadium exploded in celebration, and Antonio was on his feet, shouting alongside the fans.

“Now that’s how you win a game!” I clapped, laughing at his sheer excitement.

“That was amazing!” He turned to me, his eyes shining. “Thanks for bringing me, Joey. This was probably the best day of my life.”

I smiled, a rare feeling of contentment settling over me. I’d always despised the thought of being a family man—settling down, playing house, living by someone else’s rules. It wasn’t for me. But maybe I was wrong. “Anytime, kid. You deserved a day like this.”

We joined the sea of fans streaming out of the stadium, Antonio holding onto his foam finger like a trophy. I rested a hand on his shoulder as we walked, feeling something close to pride as I watched him soaking up the moment. I wasn’t his father. I had no right to think of him like a son. But damn, if it didn’t feel that way lately. The way he looked up at me when I talked, the way he stuck close like he trusted me to keep him safe. It did something to me—something I didn’t have a name for.

By the time we got back to Staten Island, it was late. I pulled into Adriana’s carport, and before I even shut off the engine, Antonio bolted out of the passenger seat, rushing into the house with the energy only a kid could still have after a long day. He was still wearing his Yankees cap, clutching his foam finger like it was a treasure.

“Ma! You should’ve seen it!” he yelled as he burst through the front door. “The Yankees won, and it was the coolest thing ever!”

I followed him in, closing the door behind me. Adriana stood up from the couch, and a warm smile spread across her face. I noticed a pillow and blanket folded neatly on the sofa—aquiet reminder that she was giving Antonio the house’s only bedroom. The sight of it hit me in a way I couldn’t quite explain. I wanted to fix that for her. I wanted to fix everything for her. And I would. I would fix everything for herin time.But right now, we both have to suffer just a little while longer.

“That’s great, Antonio,” she said.

“There was this huge crowd,” he continued, his words spilling out in rapid-fire enthusiasm. “And we had these awesome seats! Joey taught me all this cool stuff about pitching and batting, and—Ma, they hit a walk-off! The whole stadium went wild!”

Adriana glanced at me briefly before focusing on him, her smile never wavering. “Sounds like you two had quite the time.”

“It was the best, Ma! And look!” He tugged at his cap with pride. “Joey got me this!”

Her eyes shifted to me, softening a little. “You didn’t have to do that, Joey.”

I shrugged like it was nothing. “Kid needed some gear. Can’t go to a game lookin’ like a rookie.”

Antonio beamed up at her. “Oh, and Joey said maybe I could try out for the school baseball team!”

Adriana’s eyebrow arched as she turned her gaze back to me. “Did he now?”

I smirked, holding up my hands. “Don’t give me that look. The kid’s got potential. Just needs a little push in the right direction, that’s all.”

Her expression softened again, and she turned back to Antonio. “Well, if that’s what you want, we’ll talk about it.”

“Thanks, Ma!” he said, his grin wide as ever.

I watched the two of them, something warm settling deep in my chest. Antonio’s grin was unstoppable as he ran to his room, his foam finger bouncing in his hand. The sound of his door shutting left the house quieter, and then it was just Adriana and me in the small living room. We hadn’t been alone since I haddropped her off, after she had asked about the duffle bag full of money in the backseat.

She crossed her arms, leaning against the couch as she looked at me. I felt the weight of her gaze, steady, searching like she was trying to figure me out—or perhaps decide if I was worth trusting.

“He hasn’t been this happy in a long time. Thank you for this, Joey. He’s never going to forget it,” she said softly.

I smiled, leaning against the doorframe, letting the weight of her words settle. “Kid’s a good one. Just needs someone to remind him what being a kid’s all about. I’m glad I could do that.”

She crossed her arms tightly, her eyes flickering with hesitation. “I appreciate what you’re doing, Joey. But I don’t want him getting too attached. We’ve been through a lot, and?—”

I raised a hand, cutting her off before she could finish. “Look, I get it. You’re used to doin’ everything on your own. I see it. But you don’t have to—not all the time. I’m just tryin’ to help the kid out. No strings attached.”

Her shoulders sank slightly. I knew she wasn’t ready to let go just yet. “It’s not just about Antonio. I’m trying to protect him. And me. From?—”

I stepped in again, softer this time. “From someone like me?”

“Joey…”

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