“Let’s see what you’ve learned,” Nancy said, reaching down to grab Ariana’s head.
“Ariana!” Costello’s voice blasted through the room. The door banged against the wall.
“Costello,” Nancy said, her hand dropping to her leg. She threw her shirt back down to cover herself. “I’m in the middle of a lesson with the girls,” she snarled.
“I see that.” Costello strode to Ariana’s side and hauled her up, lacing his fingers through hers. “I didn’t authorize this lesson, however.” He tugged Ariana to stand behind him.
Nancy stood from her chair and folded her arms over her chest. Mae and Courtney had stopped their practice and were watching the standoff along with Jessica.
“I don’t appreciate you undermining me in front of the girls,” Nancy stated flatly. “Ariana needs this lesson as much as the others.”
Costello increased his hold on her hand. “Ariana will be taught the lessons I decide for her, not you. You are her nanny and are only to watch over her when I am not available. If you think you can’t handle the task, I’ll bring in another nanny who will.”
Ariana had not seen him so angered before. He didn’t raise his voice; he didn’t need to. The dark tenor of his tone was enough to shake her insides. Why was Nancy not backing down?
“We’ll see.” Nancy rolled her shoulders back. “If you’re taking Ariana for the afternoon, that’s fine. But she will be expected to learn how to properly take care of a Mommy in case that’s who adopts her.”
Ariana cringed. Costello’s entire back tightened up, and she wondered how much more could Nancy push him until he lost his temper. If he did, it would ruin everything. They’d take her away from him, she was sure of it.
“Daddy.” Ariana tugged on his hand. “I’m not feeling good. Can I lie down?” She put on her best little voice and yanked on his jacket, too.
The tension cracked, and Costello looked down at her, appraising her.
“I’m taking her to her room. I don’t want her disturbed until dinner.” He turned, picking up Ariana and cradling her in his arms as he marched to the door. Ariana peeked over his shoulder. Nancy’s scowl sent a chill over her.
“Why does she hate me so much?” Ariana whispered.
Costello adjusted his hold on her.
“I don’t know, and I don’t fucking care,” he answered, starting up the stairs.
“Everything okay?” Shelby’s daddy asked as Costello made his way down the hall.
“She’s not feeling well. I’m going to lay her down. Did you know Nancy took a few of the girls downstairs for Mommy training?” Costello stopped to ask. Ariana kept her face hidden.
“What? No. Is Shelby down there?” Ariana heard the heavy concern he had for Shelby. He hadn’t done anything to keep her safe from the men in the playroom, but maybe he couldn’t. Maybe he was in the same situation as Costello.
“No, but she can’t dictate who does what around here,” Costello said firmly. “Let me lay Ariana down. I want the other girls out of there, too. I doubt the guys know who was taken and who wasn’t.”
“You handle Ariana, I’ll go down there and break up the class. That woman is getting too carried away.”
“Daddy,” Ariana whispered. He adjusted his grip once more.
“Go. I’ll take care of it,” Gianni said and they were moving again.
Once they were inside Ariana’s room, Costello kicked the door closed and put her down on her feet. He cupped her shoulders and looked her over.
“I’m fine.” She pushed his hands away and sat on the bed. “Thank you for getting me out of there.”
“Did you do anything to get into trouble this morning?” he demanded, keeping a hard glare on her.
She sighed. That’s all she was—trouble. “No. We had breakfast, went to the dayroom, had lunch, then Nancy came in and said the four of us needed to go down to the library with her for a special story time,” Ariana explained and pulled her feet up onto the bed. She felt fine now that she was away from that horrible woman, but fatigue was starting to wear her down. It was exhausting having to constantly be in character.
“Has she said anything to suggest she suspects anything?” Costello continued his questions.
“Not to me.” Ariana shrugged. “Where were you this morning? The other Daddies were around, but I didn’t see you.” She hugged her knees to her chest and leaned back against the headboard. Had her attitude the night before made him change his mind?
He was putting himself in danger by not reporting her. She may not have to pretend around him, but she wasn’t entirely safe yet.
“I had business to do. Sometimes I have to go into the city. Nancy took advantage of me not being here.” He pulled the chair from her vanity and sank into it, pressing the heels of his hands into his eyes.