Page 84 of Ruthless Secrets
I can’t help but laugh. I’m truly excited for my sister to meet Clara and Zoe. “I like that she now has strong female role models in her life. I used to worry that being raised by us wasn’t going to be enough.”
Andre chuckles. “I still worry. But I’m glad she’s not alone all the time. Lila really has taken her under her wing, and I have a feeling Clara will be exactly the same way.”
“It will officially be them against us. And just wait until Holly and Zoe are teenagers too.”
“We don’t stand a fucking chance.” Andre groans, rubbing at his jaw. “So, you and Clara… How are things going? You seem to be getting pretty serious.”
I swirl the whisky around in my glass. “I can’t help but have reservations. Not about my feelings, but about my ability to fully let my guard down.”
“Well, that’s understandable given your past history.”
“Something Clara said to me has been playing on repeat in my head. She brought up the fact that with or without Alfonzo, there will always be danger because of what we do. She was worried about getting close to me in case something happened.”
“You can choose to look at it like that, yes. But there are also dangers in everyday life regardless of your profession.”
I roll my eyes at him. “That’s really helpful, thanks.”
“What I’m trying to say is that’s the game of life, Marco. You live and you die, and it's up to you to make the most of the time you have together.”
“I guess…”
Maybe I have been looking at this whole thing the wrong way. I’ve been letting my past cast too much of a shadow over my present, and ultimately, my future.
At some point, I’m going to have to decide to let the past go, otherwise it might just cost me everything.
Chapter Nineteen
CLARA
I thinkI might throw up, which is not the best state of mind when you’re about to see your best friend for the first time in two weeks. Then again, I am about to admit to her that I secretly moved in with my baby daddy, who I’ve only just formally met, who also happens to be part of one of the most notorious crime families in the city.
It’s times like this where I wish I wasn’t still breastfeeding so I could drink tequila. Then again the last time I drank tequila, Zoe happened, so I guess it’s sparkling water for me.
I’m wide awake, going over potential conversations with Sam when Marco slides into bed beside me. I immediately relax when his big strong arms wrap around my body. Before I can roll him onto his back and climb on top of him, he passes out, and I don’t have the heart to wake him up.
When Zoe starts to stir around seven, I quietly get her up and take her downstairs to give Marco a chance to sleep in. Driving back and forth to the city seems to be taking its toll, but he refuses to make use of his apartment because he insists on seeing his girls before he goes to bed, and who am I to deny him?
Once Zoe is fed, I decide to go and make a pot of coffee and bring one to Marco in bed. I’ve come to learn that even when he’s had a late night, he still doesn’t tend to sleep much past seven-thirty.
I find Lila in the kitchen giving Holly some breakfast. She’s already fully dressed, her hair styled in loose waves, and her makeup done, which is incredibly impressive.
I can’t help but smile. “Morning.”
Holly’s eyes light up when she sees Zoe, so I take her over to the breakfast table so they can say hello.
I look at Lila. “You’re up and ready early.”
Lila laughs. “Thanks to a certain child of mine.”
I smile to Holly who is trying to hand Zoe her piece of half-chewed banana. “Were you just excited to get your day started, hmm?”
I hand Zoe off to Lila for a cuddle so I can get to work making a fresh pot of coffee with two hands, which is a rare occurrence these days.
When I set two mugs on the countertop and pad over to the fridge to get some creamer, I catch Lila eyeing me.
“I’m bringing one up for Marco.”
Lila gives me a look, which is becoming a common occurrence whenever I bring up the father of my child.
