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“You weren’t complaining about my butchness a few minutes ago.”
“It was fun a few minutes ago.”
We link arms and walk out of the bathroom, chatting and smiling. To all intents and purposes we’re just two gals who bumped into each other in the bathroom. We keep up the pretense until we get to the carpark, where we keep it jovial before getting into our cars.
The men are in the back of the large American brand vehicle. They kept out of sight the whole time I was inside so no one would suspect a thing. It’s about a twenty minute drive until we get to the ranch turn off. I stay close to Mia’s vehicle.
It’s a beautiful ranch, albeit out in the sticks. I had no idea Mia and Angeko were so secluded. I shudder to think what would have happened if they were ambushed. Anyway, I'm here now and no one is going to harm my family.
Tomorrow we’ll put our plan into action. I’m not going to allow anyone to get away with this crime against me and my family. Someone is going to pay with their life. Probably more than one person. I’ll kill a whole army if I have to. Fuck it, what do I have to lose?
I park the car and get out. The men stay put. They’ll follow later under the cover of darkness. I follow Mia and together we walk into the house.
“Where’s Angelo?” I ask.
“He’s upstairs with my Dad.”
I’m not too excited about seeing Mia’s father. I can only imah=gine what he must think of me right now. But I have to confront him sometime.
“I think you should get out of that dress before our son sees you.”
“Good thinking. Give me a minute.”
I change while Mia goes upstairs. I can’t wait to see my son. I wipe the makeup off my face and wash away the last bits of German female tourist from my being. Thank God for stage makeup. I must remember to thank Bruno for the clever suggestion. A raise may even be in order.
I can hear little footsteps on the stairs and Mia’s voice.
“I have a surprise for you, my boy.”
“Ohhh, how exciting.”
My son. Finally.
23
MIA
“Daddy!”
Angelo launches himself at Dante and with that I finally crack the vault that has held me back from trusting the man I love and giving myself to him fully. How could I have thought that keeping our son away from his father was even remotely a good idea?
“My boy,” Dante says as he nestles his son. “Let me see how much you’ve grown,” he crows proudly as he holds Angelo at arm’s length.
“I’m six now, Daddy! I’m big.”
“I can see that. My goodness, how you’ve grown. Let me see your muscles.”
Angelo pulls up his pj sleeves and strikes a strongman pose.
“Phooweet!” Dante whistles. “Those are some serious guns, my boy.”
“I can swing from the monkey bars without even getting tired, Daddy. Lexi says I’m the strongest boy in the class.”
“Oh? Who’s Lexi?” Dante smiles.
“Just a girl.”
Dante winks at me. I know what he’s thinking. Daddy’s boy.