He leaned close. “He was wrong. On every count. You are smart. Beautiful. Strong. And staying. You hear me?”
“Yes.”
Ignoring the fact that we had witnesses, he kissed me hard. “Good.”
Then he faced the group. “Let’s nail this down.”
Maxx and Brett nodded, both looking fierce.
I had to admit, them knowing the truth was liberating. Their insistence we were safe made me feel better. They would not only look out for me and Theo, but also Stefano.
Maybe this would work.
Maybe, just maybe, I could stop running.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Gabby
Later that night, I tucked Theo into the big bed in Brett’s room.
“I’ll leave the light on, so if you wake up, you know where you are,” I said, sitting on the edge of the mattress, my leg tucked up under me. I was tired, my head ached, and I looked forward to being able to sit and be quiet. To think. The day had been filled with emotions and plans. I had listened and tried to keep up, although at times it became too much. Stefano watched me closely, then announced we were leaving when he saw me rub my tired eyes. I’d hugged everyone who was still gathered around the table, whispering my gratitude.
We picked up Theo at Mary’s. He was full, happy, and excited about staying at Stefano’s. We agreed to talk to him together once we were at the house and were alone. I didn’t want to frighten him, but we had to explain what was going on.
Stefano walked in, carrying a book and sitting across from me on the other side of the bed.
Theo smiled, his little face happy. He patted my hand. “I like it here, Mom.”
“You didn’t like our apartment? I thought you were happy there, Theo?” I asked.
“I was. But Stefo is here, so I like it better.” He tapped the mattress, looking at Stefano. “This is a big bed, so you could sleep here if you want,” he offered.
Stefano cleared his throat. “I have my own room here, little man.”
“Oh.” His eyes grew round. “Mom, if you’re gonna sleep here, you hafta bring your own blanket, okay?”
I tried not to laugh, and from across the bed, Stefano chuckled.
“Um, little man, your mom is gonna sleep with me.”
“How come?”
Stefano brought one leg up, resting it on the bed and facing Theo. “There are two reasons. One, your mom has a bump on her head, and she has to be watched. So, I’ll do that.”
“But you’re okay, right?” Theo’s anxious gaze met mine, and I nodded.
“Yes, it’s just a precaution, Teddy Bear.”
“Mom,” he hissed. “Five. I’m five.”
“Right. It’s just a precaution, Theo.”
“Okay. What’s number two?” Then Theo began to chortle, slapping the bed. “I said number two. Like poop, you know, Mom?” He looked at Stefano. “Mom doesn’t like me to say poop. She calls it number two. But I said it—like a poop joke. It’s funny!”
Stefano’s lips twitched, and I had to turn my head. What was it about boys and bathroom humor? It seemed to amuse them no matter how old they were.
Stefano let out a guffaw, and for a moment, the two of them laughed as if Theo had made the best joke in the world.
“Can we get back to the subject at hand, boys?” I asked dryly, secretly loving the shared camaraderie between them.
“Right. Okay,” Stefano muttered, wiping his eyes. “The second reason is I like sleeping with your mom. She smells good, and I like to cuddle with her.”
“She hogs the blankets,” Theo said, shaking his head in warning. “You’ll get cold.”
“I’ll risk it.”
Theo sighed. “Fine. But if you hafta kick her out, I’ll share. Because, you know, she’s my mom.”
“Good man.”
Theo glanced behind me at the totes piled up. “Mom, are we staying here forever? Is that why we played pack the totes?”
I took his hand. “No, baby, you were right. We were gonna move—”
“No!” He interrupted me. “I don’t want to! Stefo, tell her no!”
I held up my hand. “It’s okay. We’re not going anywhere.”
He flopped back to the pillow. “Promise?”
I looked at Stefano, somehow at a loss. He tilted his chin in encouragement, and I leaned closer to Theo.
“Remember I told you about the man—your father?”
He nodded, looking solemn. “He’s not nice,” he whispered.
“I thought he was coming to take us away, so I was going to leave and hide with you. But Stefano asked us to stay here with him.”
He looked at Stefano. “You won’t let him take us away?”
“No, little man. No one will let that happen. But we need your help, okay?”
“Okay.”
“You have to stick close to your mom and me. The guys at the garage. Don’t talk to strangers, and don’t go with anyone unless it’s one of us. Your mom. Me. Brett. Maxx or Charly. Chase.”
“What about Mary or Mrs. Scott?”
“They’re good too.”
“And that lady I met today?”