I Picked Up a College Guy, Then My Mafia Ex Caught Me Chapter 04

At dinner, Ava was still frightened at first. But once she sat next to Nathan, she started chattering away.

“Are you here with the scary man too? Do you know where this is? Do you go to school? You feel really familiar.”

Nathan didn’t answer. She kept rambling happily all on her own, she had been a little talker since she could form words.

Nathan watched her bright, animated eyes for a long moment. Then, wordlessly, he picked up the last shrimp on his plate and set it in hers.

“Eat,” he said, in a soft, quiet voice.

Dominic glanced at him, surprised.

He had told me Nathan had mild autism, brilliant, but socially withdrawn.

The reason Dominic had searched so relentlessly for me was probably for Nathan’s sake.

Guilt gnawed at me as I watched my son’s silent profile.

Our room had been prepared. Getting Ava to sleep took some effort.

Once I stepped out of the kids’ room, my phone lit up.

Jake Sullivan. He was my neighbor and the manager of a speedway club, kind, thoughtful, always there when I needed him.

I took the call on the balcony.

“The preschool said someone picked up Ava. You’re working nights today, right? Is she with you now?” His voice was anxious.

“She’s here,” I said, evasively. I explained I wasn’t in Meridian Bay anymore and asked him to look after the bar for me, promising him a cut of the profits.

He laughed softly. “Seriously? You’re bringing up money now? Are you okay? Do you need help?”

“I’m fine. And thanks for taking care of Ava all this time.”

“Anytime.”

A beat of silence. Then he said, “Are you coming back to Meridian Bay?”

I opened my mouth, and couldn’t find an answer.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a reflection in the glass door.

Dominic was leaning against the frame behind me. No telling how long he had been there.

I ended the call quickly.