Filed to story: Submitting to My Bestie’s Daddy Read Online >>???
James looked a bit flustered, but recovered quickly. “So is an assassin showing up on our doorstep. You’re not staying here, Allegra. How could you endanger our family this way? Don’t you know what’s been going on?!”
“I’m getting a hotel. I just got off my flight. I couldn’t wait any longer to see my baby,” Allegra said. She stepped into the house and, mindful of Dahlia, gave Layla a hug and a kiss.
“That’s truly romantic and touching, but what if the Cartwrights are having this place watched? How exactly are we going to explain you showing up to the judge?” James snapped.
“I don’t care. I don’t care what you say to the judge,” Allegra sniffled. “I had to see Layla.”
“NOW?! You had to see her NOW, of all times?! You couldn’t have waited another week?” James snarled.
I watched them argue back and forth like some dark tennis match, neither giving any ground. In truth, this was a disastrous time for Allegra to show up, and I was mostly on James’s side. But I also remembered all the times I just couldn’t wait one more minute to be with him.
“Maybe it would be best if we closed the door and argued inside,” I suggested.
“Maybe it would be best if Allegra got the HELL out of here,” James retorted.
“I’m not going anywhere,” Allegra said.
I sighed. “Allegra, that is incredibly selfish of you, but be that as it may, we shouldn’t be putting on a show for the neighbors. Come on, let’s all go to the living room.”
James finished descending the stairs, a look of pure murder on his face.
Allegra put an arm around Layla’s shoulders as Layla led her to the living room.
I carried Alessandro.
“F*ck!” he said again, even more proud of himself.
I shot James a dirty look, but he was too busy scowling at Allegra to catch it.
“So, you came here to steal Layla away, is that it?” James demanded once we were all seated.
I quietly asked the butler to get us some coffee and snacks. I figured we’d be at this for a while.
“Yes,” Allegra said, a stubborn tilt to her chin. “If she’ll come with me.”
“Perfect timing, Allegra. Just perfect. Are you TRYING to yank our case? What the F*CK are you thinking?!” James shouted.
“F*ck!” Alessandro repeated with great enthusiasm.
I groaned.
“I am thinking that I can’t live another minute without her, that’s what I’m thinking. I’m sorry the timing is bad, but, come on, James. With us, when is the timing ever good?” Allegra pointed out.
“You could have come to Italy. Any time,” James growled. “But no. You pull shit like this.”
“I love her!” Allegra argued. “I’m not waiting another second for her!”
Layla looked over at me during the verbal sparring match. “Becca? I don’t… I don’t know what to do. She is the love of my life, but I also love you and the kids.”
I reached over and patted her hand. “Layla, we love you, too. You have to make the best decision for you, though. I won’t stand in your way if you decide to go with Allegra.”
“What about the children?” Layla asked.
“Layla, you are irreplaceable, but we can get another nanny, even though they will never be as good as you,” I assured her.
Layla looked conflicted, and rightfully so. “Well, I couldn’t even think of leaving until after the trial.”
I smiled at her. “That’s very kind of you, Layla.”
“F*ck,” Alessandro grinned.
“We’re doomed,” I sighed, bouncing Alessandro on my knee. He was quite pleased with himself.
“Well, as long as we don’t make a big deal of it either way, he’ll move on to another word,” Layla said.
“F*ck! F*ck, f*ck, f*ck!” Alessandro chirped.
“And that’s your fault, too!” James bellowed, stabbing a finger in Alessandro’s direction.
“I seem to remember you being the one who said ‘f*ck,'” Allegra said.
“F*CK!” Alessandro parrotted.
“Christ JESUS, motherF*CKER—” James yelled.
“Jesbuss! Jesbus m-F*CK!” Alessandro grinned.
“James, please. PLEASE stop teaching Alessandro new words,” I hissed.
James raked his hands over his hair. “Sorry.”
“On the plus side, he definitely loves you,” Allegra said. “He’s interested in what you have to say.”
“I wish he were a little less interested in what I have to say,” James grunted.
“M-f*ck!” Alessandro sing-songed. “M-f*ck, m-f*ck, m-f*ck.”
James took several deep breaths. “God grant me the serenity, to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom…”
“… to hide the bodies,” Allegra said.
I stared at Allegra. So did Layla.
James was silent for a beat, then burst out laughing. “I think I like your version better.”
“It’s more apropos to our line of work,” Allegra explained.
James sobered. “You have a point there.”
“Another point in our favor at the trial. Honestly, James, I don’t see how Allegra’s presence can make anything any worse,” I whispered.
Alessandro, oblivious to the fact that his life hung in the balance, kept bouncing on my knee, happily reciting his new favorite word. “F*ck. F*ck, f*ck, f*ck. F*ck.”
I hugged him close and kissed the top of his head. “Oh, what are we going to do, little guy?”
