Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 35676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35676 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Michele would have to find them, but last Tessa saw she was taking one of the guards into a bedroom. She even believed the other nanny had been sleeping with Caesar’s father as well, but that was just speculation and she’d never caught them.
Not one to gossip or talk, or do much of anything, Tessa kept her thoughts to herself.
Her father told her the only way to survive in the mafia was to keep your mouth shut and to always look the other way.
She’d never been kept in the dark about what her father really did. They wanted her to know that even though they were part of the mafia, they’d want her to have a normal life. Most soldiers’ kids were allowed that luxury.
Right now, she didn’t see herself as living a normal life, or any other kind of life.
She was halfway down the stairs, too late to make an escape. Alonzo Zanetti stood there with several of his men. She recognized Cole and Demetri, who were his personal guards. There were also a couple of other men.
She turned on her heel and was about to head back upstairs when Caesar released a little squeal.
She cringed as a quick glance at Caesar clearly showed he wanted his uncle.
“Come down, Tessa,” Alonzo said.
The last thing she wanted to do was go down.
Ignoring his request could get her killed. Still, part of her was tempted to run, only because she’d seen him look so scary at times.
Turning back toward the stairs, she didn’t look at him, careful as she made her way to the bottom step.
Alonzo was already there, and as he grabbed Caesar, his hand grazed her breasts. She ignored it though. Biting her lip, she waited, not sure if she should look at him or leave.
“Where is my sister?” Alonzo asked.
She looked up at him. His brown eyes were so dark they looked almost black. His hair was a mess from clearly running his fingers through the long length.
“She’s in her quarters,” she said.
He sighed. “Benedict?”
“With her.”
“Ah, I see. There’s nothing like a lovers’ quarrel to send you running.”
Heat filled her cheeks.
“Where’s the other nanny?” he asked.
“I-I don’t know.”
He sighed. “Cole, go check one of the bedrooms. Please make sure Michele is aware that she’s in charge for now, that Tessa is not available at the moment.”
“Got it.”
“It’s fine. I don’t mind taking care of Caesar.” She didn’t want Michele to hate her any more than she already did for some reason.
“I pay you to do a job, and since you came here you’ve not had any time off. It hasn’t gone unnoticed, even if you try to act invisible.”
She heard Demetri laugh, and she glanced in his direction.
Caesar chuckled, and Alonzo did the same. “You are a handsome devil, aren’t you? Don’t worry. You have Zanetti blood inside you. You’re going to get all the women when you grow up. They will not be able to resist your charms.”
The sound of footsteps had her turning in the direction. Cole had Michele by the arm.
“Our little slut-in-waiting was able to be pried away from the dick she was riding,” Alonzo asked.
“I wasn’t doing anything wrong. Besides, Caesar was in good hands,” Michele said, shooting Tessa a scornful look as if it was her fault she’d been caught.
That wasn’t something Tessa was going to take the blame for. Did Alonzo even realize that Michele rarely did her job?
“I have no care about who you fuck, Michele, but do it on your own time. Get back to work. Caesar needs you. He can be in your capable hands. Cole and Demetri will make sure you do your job.” Alonzo kissed Caesar’s head, and then handed the baby over to her. “Now go, or would you like to leave my employment?”
“No, sir.”
Tessa chanced a look at Michele, who was already giving her dirty looks as if she’d been the cause of this.
Staring down at the floor, she hoped the ground would open her up and swallow her rather than deal with this woman’s wrath.
“Good, go.”
“You don’t want to come, Tessa?” Michele asked.
“Tessa is busy.” Alonzo answered for her, and she hated it but didn’t argue.
Locking her fingers together in front of her, she waited.
It was all too soon that they were alone.
****
Alonzo stared at the young woman before him. He knew she tried to leave whenever he entered a room and that any attention always made her run like a little bunny. She tried to be invisible, but that just wasn’t possible.
Not with him.
He noticed her every time he entered a room.
The sweet, floral scent she left behind always drove him crazy. Of course, he never stopped her.
She was a sweet young woman. He’d been the one to see her to deliver the bad news, on her birthday two years ago. She never celebrated her birthday. Louise, their cook, told him that she always declined a cake being made or any cards. In two years, she’d not celebrated her birthday, and she spent a lot of time at the graveyard where her parents were buried.