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Chapter Three

Gracie

T he moment our eyes connected, I wanted to run and never look back, but I can’t. Not yet anyway. My heart hammered precariously and my mind whirled a mile a minute with the incredible memories of one night over a year ago.

His white shirt was open at the chest, and I longed to stroke his olive skin, kiss and caress it while he played with my hair.

The way his sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, exposing his bronzed arms, reminds me of the night he changed my destiny.

I shake my head. Keep your head on straight, Gracie.

As I’ve spent so long confined by my father’s rules, I intend to use staying here to my advantage. My agreement to come here was nothing short of strategic, and with that thought in mind, I swallow back the nervousness bubbling up my throat and threatening to erupt at any given moment.

While my father and Vinny conversed during dinner, I spent my time caring for my daughter.

Bonnie is almost ten months now and an absolute delight.

She’s my reason for living, the light in the darkest of days, and I want nothing more than to give her the freedom I had when growing up. Before it all went to hell.

When my father turns his attention toward me, I try not to cower at his cruel words.

Thankfully, Vinny doesn’t seem remotely like my father, but he’s told me enough times how bad the Marino family is, so I want to reserve judgment on them.

I also want to make sure I don’t fall into his bed again.

The last time was almost enough to destroy me, and I refuse to let that happen.

“You can order her a new chair, perhaps? One of those baby ones.” Vinny waves his hand in my direction, and I slink back, wishing I could just order items for her when I need them.

I’m well aware of the many items my daughter is missing out on, but when I return home to my mother’s ranch, I can build her a better life there, away from any threats of violence or promises of taking my child from me.

“No, thank you. We’re fine.”

“See, I told you they don’t need anything,” my father singsongs.

Vinny pushes back in his chair, and it screeches against the wooden floor. I recoil when Robert glares in my direction, but Vinny stalks past the table to the door and calls his housekeeper in. Then she rushes into the room just as his ass touches the seat again .

“Hazel. Could you please show Gracie and little Bonnie to their room while I show Robert out.” The housekeeper nods, and my eyes widen at his stern tone and the way he’s practically banishing us all. We haven’t even finished dinner. “And send them snacks up to their room, please.”

“Of course, sir. This way, miss.” The housekeeper’s warm smile greets me. Her hair is in a messy bun, littered with silver streaks, and she has pretty green eyes that shimmer with warmth, so I find myself relaxing for the first time since leaving my father’s home.

“Come on, sweetie.” I gather Bonnie into my arms to stand and take one last glance in Vinny’s direction, and the promising glint in his eyes has trepidation rippling through my bloodstream.

Something tells me he’s far from done with me, and the rush of anticipation is an emotion I have no place feeling.

Hazel is kind and has a gentle tone about her as she shows me around. I pick up on an Italian accent, and I wonder how Vinny sounds when he speaks in Italian. My cheeks flush at the thought, and I quickly turn away from Hazel before she can witness it.

The white furnishings appear new, and there’s a scattering of pink around the room that makes me wonder if she had a hand in decorating.

“I chose the pink,” she confirms with a proud smile.

“We don’t have any girls in the immediate family.

So this makes me very happy.” She smiles toward Bonnie, and my heart soars at the affection emanating from her.

“Sir has four strapping boys.” My lip quirks at her reference to them being boys when they are very much men, which I know, thanks to my father’s avid jealousy.

The soft carpet has my toes curling into the pile; the room is simply beautiful.

A glass chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and a white wooden bed sits proudly in the center of the room.

It has small flowers carved into the headboard, and the white bedding with pink pillows and matching blankets are laid perfectly on top.

“This here is little Bonnie’s nursery.” Hazel opens a door, and when I poke my head inside, I gasp, and my eyes fill with tears. It’s everything I ever dreamed of for her, more even. Something catches in my chest, and I force myself to exhale through the emotion.

“I hope you’re both going to be very happy here, Miss Gracie.” Hazel pats my arm.

Emotion lodges in my throat, and I choke on my words. “Please just call me Gracie.”

“Yes, miss,” she says, and I can’t help but to smile. “I’ll leave you to explore.”

“Thank you.”

When she turns to walk away, my feet bring me into the nursery on their own accord, and it’s truly a room fit for a little princess.

“Look, Bonnie, you’re such a lucky girl.

” Bonnie makes grabby hands toward the chest of soft toys on the floor, so I place her down.

She makes a beeline for them, crawling toward the chest, and I giggle as she throws the soft toys while making content sounds that have my heart swelling.

A white crib sits against the wall, and I trace the floral design etched into the wood that matches my bed. Again, white crib sheets and a fluffy pink blanket lay at the base, and I can’t help but run my hand over the soft fabric. So unlike the rough, scratchy sheets at home.

“We need to talk.” His gruff voice has me spinning on the balls of my feet to face him, and his temple pulsates. He has a tic in his jaw and glares at me with blazing eyes and flaring nostrils. I hate being the reason for his anger.

My fingers tremble as I tuck my hair behind my ear, and I swallow back the lump in my throat, nodding.

He stretches his arm out toward my room, and I glance at Bonnie, who is unaware of the tension building between Vinny and me. Instead, she’s shoving soft toys in her mouth while cooing.

“She will be fine in here, and we’ll leave the door open,” Vinny adds, causing a slither of apprehension to slip from me.

Dread lines my stomach, and I take a deep breath. I don’t like that he’s witnessing how nervous I am, but it’s not like I can hide it, the man unravels me in a way that’s completely foreign to me.

I want to make him proud, I want him to shower me with praise and look at me with longing, like I’m his entire world. If only for the night again.

The moment I step into the bedroom and move to walk past him, he grips my arm and spins me to face him. His touch scorches my skin, and I melt, my body becoming like putty as I stare into his stormy-gray eyes that are darkening by the second.

“Did you know?” he asks, and my lips part to speak, but nothing comes out. He shakes me. “Did you know?” he booms, causing me to flinch, and his body goes lax.

His free hand slowly rises to my face, and my breath stutters, then he tucks a lock of my hair behind my ear. “Did you know your father was my stepson?”

The smell of his cologne filters through my nostrils. The way I could still smell him on my skin after our night together has been engrained in my mind. His proximity has clouded my mind and made my throat dry. “N-no.”

I clear my throat, hoping I can sound more confident this time. “No, I didn’t know.” His eyes scan my face, then he nods and releases my arm, and already, I wish he hadn’t. Although I don’t know why, I feel safe when I’m with him, and it’s a feeling I’ve longed for since our night together.

He takes a step back, but his focus remains on me, and I follow the way his Adam’s apple slides down his throat. The top two buttons on his white dress shirt are open, exposing his olive skin that I long to graze with my fingernail and kiss and lick and…

“I want you to sign this contract.” He holds up a bunch of papers, and my eyes narrow. Is it an NDA? If so, it’s unnecessary. I won’t tell anyone a damn thing. I just want to be left alone, to live my life away from anyone and any threat, and be safe and happy.

“Now, be a good girl and sign it.” He shoves the papers into my chest, causing me to stumble. “I expect them in my office before you go to bed tonight.”

Tears fill my eyes at his abrupt tone; he’s shutting me out once again. He’s barely even acknowledged our night together, and now he’s dismissing me like it meant nothing.

As the door clicks shut behind him, I gape down at the papers in my hand and follow the text slowly.

Contract between: Vincent Marino (Daddy) and Gracie Ramsey (Little Pet).

What the hell?