Page 70 of Sweetest Sin

“You knew back then?”

She nods and tears fill her eyes. “It wasn’t my place to tell you. Not what Anthony did nor what your father forced her to do.”

“I know.” Even though it would’ve ensured we killed Anthony, I get it. Brielle confided in our mother, and she protected her the best way she knew how by helping her run.

“I hope you catch him soon.” She swipes a tear and shakes her head. “Have you spoken to his mother? Maria and I spoke a while back, and she doesn’t condone any of the decisions he’s made. She might know something.”

“Matteo questioned her a while back, but maybe I’ll make a trip to see her. Wouldn’t hurt.”

And if he is lingering, maybe he’ll catch a whiff of me near his mom and crawl out of whatever hole he’s hiding in.

After we say goodbye, I head into the kitchen to join Peyton and Damien. Once he finishes his cookie, Peyton tells him it’s time for bed. Having bathed him earlier, she changes him into his pajamas, and since I’m in the room, I notice he’s wearing underwear.

“He doesn’t wear diapers?” I ask.

“Diapers?” Damien laughs.

I swear the kid thinks everything is a joke. He might have more of my brother in him than me.

“Diapers are for babies. I don’t wear no diapers.” He jumps up onto his bed and holds out the book for Peyton. “Mommy, read, please.”

Peyton shakes her head. “As Damien said, he’s potty-trained. You lucked out. You don’t have to change any diapers.”

She winks, and I know she’s only playing around, but her comment reminds me of how much I missed. My mom once said my dad never changed a single diaper. It was always her or the nanny.

“I would’ve changed diapers,” I tell her, sitting on the edge of the bed, next to Damien.

Peyton glances at me, her expression sobering. “I know,” she says. “And I’m sorry you didn’t get the chance to.”

“Who knows?” I say with a smirk, not wanting to ruin the mood with my broodiness. “Maybe, one day, I’ll get the chance when we give Damien a brother or a sister.”

Peyton’s mouth drops, and Damien squeals.

“I want a brother!” he says. “Can I have one?”

“Dominick, that’s not funny,” Peyton hisses. “No, Damien, Daddy was just joking.”

She glares my way, waiting for me to agree with her, but all I can think about is how sexy she probably looked while carrying my baby. Suddenly, the idea of getting her pregnant seems like a damn good idea.

“Damien,what kind of bedroom would you like?” I ask, looking around the bare room.

Peyton just finished readingThe Giving Tree, and I now know why my son loves the book. It’s the definition of unconditional love, something his mother has given him his entire life. I love my mother, and she did the best she could, but I can’t remember her ever reading to us before bed, let alone abook about a tree being personified and teaching a boy about selfless love.

“We go home?” Damien asks, misunderstanding my question. “But I like my swing.”

He pouts, and it makes me happy that he loves it here, but I don’t like that he doesn’t see this house as his home, which leads me back to my question.

“No, buddy. This is your home now. But I want to make your room yours. What theme did you have at your old house?”

Damien looks at me in confusion, and when I glance up at Peyton, she’s chewing on her bottom lip.

“He didn’t have one,” she says. “We had to share a room because I could only afford a one-bedroom apartment. Coral Bay is ridiculous when it comes to rent, but moving would’ve meant having to change colleges and Damien’s preschool, so I just made do.”

I nod in understanding and pull out my phone. After searching for boy rooms, I turn the screen toward Damien. “If you could decorate your room with anything, what would you do?”

His eyes go comically wide as he looks at the examples of the rooms. “Can I get a pool in my room?” he asks, making me laugh.

“No, buddy. The pool has to stay outside. What else do you like?”