Page 94 of Ruthless Secrets
I sigh as I climb out of bed. “All right, baby girl. Mama’s coming.”
I search the floor for Marco’s shirt, wanting to throw it on to head to my room, but it’s nowhere to be found. In fact, none of his clothes from last night are here, which means he obviously got dressed and left at some point in the night.
Zoe’s cries grow louder, so I quickly throw on my dress instead and head next door to take care of her.
“Where’s your daddy got to, hmm?” I pick her up out of her crib.
Her cheeks are wet with tears, and she immediately buries her face in my chest, which is what she does when she’s hungry.
So, I carry Zoe over to bed and settle myself against the pillows to feed her.
I can’t ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach as I think of Marco leaving in the middle of the night. I was hoping to bring Zoe into bed with Marco and me this morning for some family time. I wonder what was so important that it couldn’t wait until morning?
After Zoe and I are both dressed and ready for the day, I head downstairs to see if Marco is working in the lounge like he was yesterday. Instead, I find his sister sitting on a play mat with Holly, surrounded by building blocks.
Rosa looks up at us and beams. “Morning!”
I try my best to hide my disappointment that Marco isn’t here, but it seems I wasn’t quick enough.
She frowns. “Were you hoping I was someone else?”
I run my fingers through my hair. “Oh, no, sorry. I was looking for Marco.”
“Was he not with you?”
“No, I think he got up early to work.”
“Sounds like my brother.” Rosa adds a building block to the tower she’s building for Holly. “It’s a wonder either ofthem even had time to procreate with the amount they work.”
I swallow a laugh.
“Do you want to join us?” Rosa asks, her expression hopeful.
I really want to go and find Marco, but I also don’t want to deny Rosa the chance to meet Zoe and get to know her. She is her niece after all.
“Sure.”
I bring Zoe over to the mat and sit her down beside Holly. The two of them instantly start babbling to each other, and Rosa grins.
“This is the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.”
I laugh. “I know, right? They look like sisters.”
“The De Lucas have strong genetics.” She flicks her own long, dark brown hair over her shoulder.
I didn’t really notice yesterday that though her eyes are green, and her face has the same strong cheekbones and full lips as Marco. Her limbs are long and lean, and her skin has the sort of bronzed glow to it that I could only hope to achieve with a bottle of fake tan.
It’s exactly how I imagine Zoe to look when she grows up.
I give Zoe some toys to play with and laugh when Holly instantly snatches them from her.
“You’re going to have to stick up for yourself.”
Zoe stares longingly at the toys in Holly’s hands.
“Yeah, Zoe, don’t let Holly bully you.” Rosa takes the toy from Holly, giving it back to Zoe, who puts it straight in her mouth. “I’ll teach you the De Luca ways, don’t you worry, girl.”
I smile as I watch Zoe smile at her aunt.
