Mafia Casanova

“Shit!” It was already eight, and Naz had Kindergarten at eight thirty.

I scrambled around the room, all thoughts of Romeo gone as I grabbed a baseball hat, pulled on a pair of leggings and a sweatshirt, and sprinted into his room. Only to find his bed was empty. Panic struck square in my chest until I heard his usual giggling and talking.

With a frown, I jogged down the hallway.

Romeo was in front of the stove, flipping pancakes while Naz clapped.

What the hell sort of alternate dimension did I just wake up in?

My heart squeezed in my chest.

Did Romeo know?

Did he know that Tristian used to make breakfast for Naz? It was boy time or, as Naz always said, boy day.

Then again, every day was boy day to Naz.

He clapped. “Higher, Uncle Romeo! Higher!”

“Okay, one more time, just don’t tell your mom if it gets stuck to the ceiling.”

“Pinky promise.” Naz held out his hand.

Romeo reached across the bar, hooked his pinky in Naz’s, and then tossed the pancake a few feet into the air before catching it with a plate.

I watched in wonder as he handed Naz the plate and layered a lake of syrup all over.

“You just gonna stand there or come eat?” Romeo announced, without turning.

How did he know?

I shuffled toward them. Romeo was in last night’s clothes still; his hair a bit mussed, which just added to his ridiculous sex appeal while he poured a glass of orange juice for Naz then handed me a hot cup of coffee.

“What’s this?” I asked, peering into it.

“Coffee.” His voice was casual. “I figured you could use it this morning before your massage.”

My head shot up. “Massage?”

He checked his Rolex. “Yup, they’re expecting you at nine.”

“Nine,” I repeated. “But I have to take Naz to school; I have zero makeup on, I—”

He turned around and shoved a pancake in my mouth like a complete asshole. “I’ll take him to school. You don’t need makeup. You’re perfect just the way you are. Now drink your coffee before it gets cold.”

I took the pancake from my mouth, refusing to let him know how delicious it actually tasted, and lifted the coffee to my lips, taking one small sip. “Anyone ever tell you that you’re bossy? And who’s this cheerful in the morning?”

The corner of Romeo’s mouth tilted up in a smug smile. “Seems to me like you could use a bit of bossiness. Besides, I have to stop at my house and grab some clothes.” He offered a matter-of-fact shrug. “His school’s on the way.”

“How do you know where his school is exactly?”

“Oh, I camp outside of it in my van then offer free candy during recess.” He winked.

“Very funny,” I groaned.

“Oh, can you, Uncle Romeo? My friends would think I was so cool if you had a candy van!”

I jabbed my finger at Naz. “Never repeat to anyone that your uncle has a van with candy and parks at the school.”

Romeo choked out a laugh, “Ever.”

“Aw, man.” Naz pouted. “You’re ruining boy day.”

“Yeah, Eden, you’re ruining boy day,” Romeo agreed.

I was going to strangle him to death. “Make sure he gets all the way into the school before speeding off and don’t—” I stopped talking and looked him up and down; even in ruffled clothing, he looked like walking talking sex. A wet dream you never want to wake up from. A nightmare you’d welcome any day of the week. “Just be careful at drop off, especially of Maria; she’ll get one good look at you and cyberstalk you until you’re too terrified to say no.”

“Ah, soccer moms, such easy hunting, it wouldn’t even be fair, Eden, you know that…all those repressed housewives in their expensive SUV’s, cobwebs between their—”

I clapped a hand over his mouth. “Stop speaking.”

He grinned against my palm.

I jerked it away, irritated that my skin was tingling where his lips touched.

Ignoring how close he was, I turned toward Naz. “Two more bites, then grab your backpack.”

After a huge yawn and two giant bites shoved into his mouth, Naz hopped off the barstool, grabbed his Lego backpack, then walked up to Romeo and took hold of his hand. “Uncle Romeo, can I bring you in for show and tell today?”

“Probably not the best idea, little man.” He ruffled his hair.

“But, you can show your gun!”

My eyes went wide. “There’s a no weapon policy at your school, Naz, and remember, we don’t tell our friends or teachers what Mommy and Daddy—” I stopped myself as loss swept through me. “—what your family does.”

“Oh.” Naz frowned, his eyebrows drawing together. “But it’s so cool. I mean, Uncle Romeo cleans money!”

I nearly spit out my coffee while Romeo’s grin stretched across his face. “That’s because money’s dirty, and I like things to be clean.”

I glared at him, then smiled back at Naz. “Remember not to believe everything Uncle Romeo says, all right honey?”