"So, what do you say?" he persists.
"About what?"
"You, me, getting married." He jerks his chin in Avery’s direction. "You do realize it’s the best way to get full custody of her, right?"
"What, by getting married to you?" I frown at him. "I’m really confused by this conversation."
"TheCosa Nostrais more powerful than the police, more pervasive than the government." He drums his fingers on the table.
"You mean, you would kill him?”
"Only if you want me to."
"No," I burst out, "he’s her father, I… I wouldn’t want that."
"As you wish." He tilts his head.
"My ex has enough money to afford the best legal help."
"I have more money than him," he drawls.
My head begins to spin. "Are you saying that if I marry you, you’ll help me get full custody of my daughter?"
"If you want, I’ll make sure your ex never looks at either of you again. Also," he flattens his hand on the table, "you don’t have to worry about anyone coming after you. As the wife of the Capo of theCosa Nostra, you and your daughter would receive round-the-clock protection."
I rock Avery, who wriggles against me. I place her down, and she waddles over to Seb and throws her arms around his leg.
"Up." She looks up at him expectantly.
"Oh, you don't have to..." Before I can complete the sentence, he lifts her up in his arms.
“Hi, beautiful,” he murmurs.
"Play." She grabs at his hair and tugs. "Play," she says more insistently.
Even though Fabio speaks to her in Italian, I speak to Avery in English, and when she's with me she tends to use more English words.
"You want to play?" he asks her in a serious voice.
She nods. "Play, Scooty, play," Avery chants.
"Scooty; that's the name of her toy bunny. Guess she wants you to play with him," I murmur.
"Where's this Scooty then?" He turns that brilliantly golden gaze in my direction.
I hesitate.
"She wants me to play with Scooty. I think you should take me to him." He arches an eyebrow at me.
“Fine, fine.” I blow out a breath, then turn in the direction of her room. He's on my heels as I reach the cordoned-off play area in her room.
"There," I point to the raggedy toy.
He carefully lowers her to the floor, and Avery pounces on the bunny and begins to chew on its ears. She drags it out of her mouth and offers it to Seb, who accepts the toy.
“Thank you,” he says.
She purses her lips together and makes a kissing noise.