Becca.I walked out of the lawyer's office feeling as though I were floating somewhere outside myself. Everything just seemed so… surreal.James was carrying Alessandro. But then I had a sudden need to hold the child, as though physically having him in my arms could protect us all from having him taken away.Woodenly, I held out my arms for Alessandro."Becca… are you sure?" James asked.I nodded, and James carefully passed the one-year-old over. Alessandro blinked dark eyes up at me, completely unaware of the dangerous game that was going on around him. Unaware of the dangerous games that had been going on around him."James, I can't lose him," I whispered. "If the judge says I can keep him, but I have to go away from you… I will.""I know," James said without judgment. He put a hand at my back, but I pulled away."Everything's gone wrong, and every time it does, there you are right in the middle of it," I spoke sternly. "Why is it that you keep f*cking up my life? Our
Becca.A few days later, we were back in the car again. James said he had another surprise for us.I couldn't stop smiling while we drove through town. While it wasn't Italy with its countryside charm, Scarsdale didn't disappoint. The streets were lined with Tudor-style buildings, and every home looked like it had sprouted around lush, green forests and seas of perfectly mowed lawns.James eyed me as he held Alessandro, who giggled from being bounced up and down."If you're smiling now, I can't wait to see what you'll think of this new house," James said, more to Alessandro than to me. I'd learned the house we'd been staying in was just temporary, and that the real one was the surprise. That was why James hadn't even left his things in the bedroom the night we got there. "Where ARE we staying, James?" I eyed him suspiciously–with everything going on, I hadn't even asked. "Are we renting this place? Is it with friends or contacts of yours?" "Not quite…" He shrugged and
Becca.I spent the next morning with Alessandro, taking him around the house and discovering all its nooks and crannies. It was an old house, but the renovations made it feel very modern. Most of the lights and appliances even worked with voice commands."Aren't you going to the neighbors' for lunch?" Layla's head popped into the nursery just as I was getting ready to change Alessandro. "I forgot!" I cried out, startling Alessandro. I smiled at him, and he smiled back, thankfully. "Can you get him?""Yes, go ahead." Layla stepped inside and took over while I rushed to the bedroom. James was there looking at himself in the mirror, turning from side to side while observing his clothes. He did this several times while I searched through my suitcase–-I hadn't even properly unpacked yet. "I've never seen you so worried about your appearance," I said, startling him."I don't know what the dress code is for these events." From what I surmised yesterday
Becca.After the barbecue, James told me what had been on his mind. Alison was out of prison.Like he had said, there wasn't much we could do about it right now, so I took in the news and tried to think of something else. At night, we both collapsed into bed. It had been a long day.I woke up happy the next day, despite the news James had given me, and made a point to spend the day with Alessandro again. We were playing on the floor blanket, and he grinning as he shook a toy box that made a jingle sound. He squealed as though this were the best thing ever, when James came over to me."James?" I asked at his mysterious smile."I'm going out," James said. He leaned down and kissed my forehead, then the top of Alessandro's head. "I'll be back in a bit.""Where are you going?" I called at his back.James just waved a hand, and I frowned as the bedroom door closed."Well," I mumbled to Alessandro. "Grandpa is being a bit of a poop.""Da." Alessandro pointed one gr
Allison."So, as I was saying, Jessica, don't you think Becca is a completely unfit mother?" I asked again, staring at my daughter's friend with purpose.The girl was not the sharpest knife in the drawer. "I don't know. I've never seen her as a mother.""But Becca is promiscuous and violent and not a good friend to Tally, right?" I tried again.Jessica rubbed her chin. "Tally's dead, though. How can she be any kind of friend to her?"I sighed and opened my purse, taking out a small stack of the financial reserves the Cartwrights had given me for… well… bribe money, to be blunt. "Think, Jessica. Think back. Didn't Becca attack men, including Chad, at Tally's parties?"Realization finally dawned in the idiot's eyes, and she quickly pocketed the money I slid across the table. "You know what, you're right. She did. And she tried to get back at Chad. And Tally said Becca sent her dad to beat up Chad."Bingo. "Yes, that is true, isn't it?" I simpered. "It would be a shame for T
Becca.I set Dahlia next to Alessandro in the crib after she stopped fussing, then looked at James. "This is truly the most incredible surprise. I can't believe you did this for me.""I'd do anything for you, Becca," James said fiercely, wrapping me in his arms."Alright." I licked my lips and stared at his. "Make love to me?"James chuckled. "As if you'd ever need to ask."He was about to scoop me up in his arms, when his phone rang. Groaning, James motioned for me to follow him out of the room so the ringing didn't wake the babies."Yes?" James asked in a clipped tone once the nursery door was closed.Frantic Italian was spoken on the other end. Even if I understood Italian, it would have been indecipherable to me."He what?" James growled, which caused me to take a step back. "Of course, he would, that a**hole."'What?' I mouthed, but James just held up a finger."He's going to have a hell of a time proving that," James snorted. "Don't worry, Tony. You've still g
Mona, Private Investigator.James Valentino was one of those clients you just couldn't say no to.I've had a few high-profile cases before, and even those guys didn't pay as well as Mr. Valentino. Sure, it was sometimes hard to get in touch with him, but oh boy, he paid on time and more than what was asked.So, naturally, I wasn't going to complain when his investigation led me to the Sirens dance club at 3;00 AM.The bouncer at the entrance eyed me suspiciously as I approached the door. They probably didn't get a lot of women, and from what I read on its website, it was supposed to be a slow day."Identification." He extended his hand toward me. As if I could pass for someone under 21."Here you go, sir," I said, slipping a $100 bill under it. He glanced at my ID for a split second and returned it, sans the bill. There really was no reason for him to turn me down, but the little extra was just to ensure I got what I wanted. Surely enough, he o
James.I woke to my phone ringing urgently. Only Tony and the PI could break through the silent mode on my phone, so I knew, either way, it was urgent.It turned out, I'd fallen asleep INSIDE Becca, so I had to delicately extricate myself from her. I tried not to wake her as I pulled out and rolled to get my phone. It was the PI."Just a second," I whispered into the phone as I stood and grabbed a robe.My attempts to let Becca sleep were in vain, however, because she rolled on her back and looked up at me. "James?""I'll be back, luscious," I assured her. "I just have to take this call."Becca frowned a little, but nodded. "Okay."I smiled at the love of my life, then stepped out onto the balcony and closed the door behind me. "Yes?" I said."Sir, I think I may have a witness," the PI replied quickly in a no-nonsense tone on the other end. "It's touch and go—I don't know if I can get her to testify—but I'm working on her.""Witness? Witness to what?" I asked eagerly.