Page 23 of The Don's Secret Heir

“I guess he’s at work.”

As if talking about him conjured him up, Dario appears, walking out of the back door onto the patio by the pool.

“Dinner’s ready,” he says.

There’s always a huge meal on the table at dinnertime, whether Dario is here or not, and I suspect there are staff in this house, but I never see them. It’s almost like the haunted castle in that movie with the beast.

Dario sits down with us for dinner, at the head of the large table, and I peer at him.

“Haven’t seen you in a few days.”

“Busy,” he mutters, digging into his food. He doesn’t speak past that and I huff out a breath.

Sonny asks to go upstairs and play after he eats and I nod listlessly.

“I’ll be up to play with you in a minute.”

I watch him go and I’m about to stand up before Dario speaks.

“We’ll go to the courthouse tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I ask incredulously. “So soon?”

He shrugs. ”No time like the present.”

“What about Sonny? I can’t really explain to him that we’re getting married in name only.”

“Don’t explain anything to him. I’ve hired a nanny.”

“Without consulting me?” I narrow my eyes at him and he sighs.

“Sorry. I promise she comes highly recommended. Her name is Marie and she has fourteen grandkids.”

I blink. “Well. I guess she does sound qualified.”

"I moved her in yesterday while you and Sonny were sleeping. She’s in the bedroom next to his.”

Hemoved her in? And I didn’t even notice?

Sonny and I have been napping a lot, probably because we hadn’t been sleeping well for weeks before the incident.

“O-okay,” I say finally, not knowing how to protest even though it seems like I should.

“See you in the morning.” He gets up and goes to leave as I stare at his broad back.

“What do I wear?”

He looks back at me over his shoulder. “Anything you want.”

Then he exits the room like everything isn’t upside down.

My father is almost certainly dead. It’s been six weeks since anyone’s heard from him. My stepmother kicked me out, and now my son’s father, the man who broke my heart, is going to be my husband.

How did I get here?

I walk upstairs, playing trains with Sonny until he starts to get sleepy.

I tuck him into bed, kissing his forehead. “You’re going to meet a nanny tomorrow.”