Page 12 of Beguiled and Broken

“Vin, can you go and grab Catarina’s bags out of her car and take them downstairs, please?” Nodding, I stood up.

“Oh Vinny, I can get them. It’s ok.”

“No really, it’s fine. Head with Bianca and she’ll show you downstairs. I’ll be down in a minute with your bags.” I popped the trunk of her car, grabbed the bags out and headed to the basement. She only had three bags, two large and one small. How was it possible she only had three bags? She was going to be living here full time. It made me wonder what her apartment was like before she got rid of it.

“Vinny! Thank you so much. You’re amazing. You can set them right there by the couch and I’ll put them away.” We really set up the basement so she would be the most comfortable. We put a new couch down there and a new tv because she said she didn’t have one. Again, what the fuck was her apartment like? She didn’t even have a bed. Well, she said she sold her bed which I didn’t understand, saying she would just get a new one. Bianca thought it was ridiculous, so we just bought one for her. I don’t mind helping people out, but she was already going to be a live-in nanny, which meant she had very little living expenses. I didn’t get why we needed to buy her a bed, but whatever. I wasn’t arguing with Bianca over this.

“Catarina, here is the key to the sliding glass door. You’re welcome to come in and out of there. We just ask if you’re out at night that you try and slide it closed as quietly as possible, so it doesn’t wake the kids. I know the door is kind of heavy.”

“Oh, no problem. I completely understand.”

“I also just ask that you be mindful of who you bring to our house. You’re a grown woman and I’m not about to police you or your visitors. These are my babies though, and I’m fiercely protective, ya know what I mean?”

“Don’t worry, Bianca. I don’t have a boyfriend or anything. I pretty much keep to myself and work. I have the kids’ safety and best interest in mind at all times.” She smiled but I was struggling to find sincerity in her words or her smile.

“You’re wonderful. Thank you.”

“We’re so excited you’re here. We have a pot roast in the oven and would love it if you came up for dinner. We also want to call the kids down and officially announce that you’re their new nanny and here to stay.”

“I would love that. Lead the way.”

*

Everything had gone great with the kids and dinner was perfect. They did this ridiculous squeal and jumped up and down before hugging her. It was a success. I should’ve been happy about it. Everything seemed fine but I still had this uneasy feeling. I chalked it up to someone living in our house. I needed to make sure boundaries were clear and that we still had privacy.

After dinner, Catarina helped Bianca clean up. “Kids, it’s time for bed. Head upstairs.”

“Do we have to?” Angelo whined.

I looked at him sternly. “Angelo, we don’t whine. Do as your told.”

“Can Ms. Catarina take us?”

She looked at Bianca. Before Bianca could protest, Catarina spoke up. “I would love to. No time like the present.”

Bianca, seeming like she was partly having a hard time letting go of our nightly ritual of putting the kids to bed, and partly wanting to accommodate Catarina, said, “No, you don’t have to do that. He’s just being a wise guy. You deserve to get settled in before the chaos of the week starts tomorrow.”

“It’s really ok, Bianca. I don’t mind at all. Truly. I’ll be right back. Kids, come on.” She grabbed Angelo and Gianna’s hands and led them upstairs. Bianca, let out a sigh. I got up and walked over to her, wrapping my arms around her.

I whispered into her neck, “Hey.” We started swaying back and forth as she stood at the sink. “Is this what it’ll be like?”

“Mmmm. Yeah, I think so. It’s kinda nice, yeah?”

“Yeah, it’s kinda nice. I love you, B. You did good. I think everything’s gonna be alright, after all.” I kissed her neck and turned her to face me. She looked up at me, so I took the opportunity to kiss her deep. Bringing my right hand to her cheek, my thumb running over her lips, and my left hand in her hair. She moaned and I shoved my thumb her mouth. “Suck.” She did as she was told. I pulled back and kissed her deep. “I love you, B.”

“I love you too, Vinny.” She gave me a wicked smile.

Chapter 9

Catarina

I put the kids to bed and snuck a peek at the rest of the upstairs. They didn’t give me a tour of the upstairs and they were downstairs cleaning up, so I figured,Why not?I would see it eventually since I take care of the kids and their rooms were upstairs. On the left side of the hallway is the bathroom. Angelo’s room and Gianna’s room are at the end of the hallway. Vinny and Bianca’s room is across from Gianna’s room. I was treading lightly as I walked to their door. It was half open, so I just took a teeny weeny look-see. From the doorway you can see their king-size bed. The dresser was to the right and as I peeked around the corner, I could see they had a master bath. A chair sat next to their dresser. It’s a really nice room. Warm and sexy.

I backed out of the room and headed for the stairs. I could hear Vinny talking to Bianca in the kitchen. “I get more time with you baby. This is all I want. How it happens, I don’t care.”

Bianca said, “I’m glad you’re not mad anymore.”

I stayed back and watched him from the corner of the stairs. Vinny was standing between Bianca’s legs with one of her legs wrapped around his waist.

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