Chapter 2
Giovanni
My phone rings for what feels like the hundredth time from its spot on my desk, and I resist the urge to smash it into a million pieces. Since my father passed the company onto me after his death a few years ago, my life had been chaos, and adding in my two favorite sources of chaos, their mother walked out just a year before I took over, and the chaos turned into pure anarchy. I'd spent the last year flying across the world, putting out fire after fire at each of the company's branches, and solidifying my spot as owner. And now after 11 months, I was finally done, and able to return home to my children, all I needed to do was finish this last meeting.
A growl of frustration rips through my chest as my phone begins its annoying jingle once again, and I curse under my breath seeing my brother's name on my screen, before answering the call. "This better be important." I bit out, impatience and frustration grating in my tone. "Well hello to you too, brother dearest." I resist the urge to roll my eyes, before turning my attention back to gathering the supplies needed for my meeting, impatience burning through me. "Fuck off. Who died? You never call me." I wince a small bit, realizing it might be too soon for that joke, Mateo has been much closer to our dad, but after a blip of silence, he lets out a laugh. "Nobody's died, Giovanni" I frown at the use of my full name, but try to ignore it. Since my father's death last year, our relationship had become strained at best, and I prayed it was just grief, unsure what else could have possibly formed the canyon-sized rift between us. I'm pulled from my thoughts as he continues. "Well, the mother might. She finally did it." My grip on the phone increases, and I almost see red as my irritation reaches a new peak. "She hired a nanny."
After 5 more minutes of agonizing torture speaking to my brother, I end the call, grabbing the stuff for my meeting before calling my mother as I head to the meeting room. I've told her more times than I can count that getting a nanny was unnecessary, but having had one to raise us, she can't seem to fathom us being able to survive without one. The phone rings through to voice mail, a string of curses leaving my mouth. I hang up without leaving a voice mail, open my messenger, and hit her contact.
Me: Just got off the phone with Mateo. Please tell me you did not go against my wishes and hire a nanny for the kids.
A few moments pass and the bubbles pop up indicating she's replying before she stops, and just as I'm about to repeat myself a reply comes through.
Mom: *image attached* The kids adore her. She's staying.
As I wait for the image to load, I text her back ready to let her know that the nanny would indeed NOT be staying, my irritation morphing to fury at her disrespect of my wishes, but my anger dies and my mouth goes dry as I stare at the image. It was taken in my living room, on one side Alice is curled up with some strange rabbit, on the other is a hunter, his arms wrapped tightly around the woman, and in the center, a woman staring at my TV, her head rested on my daughter's, both of her arms wrapped around my kids. Her hair is tied into a messy knot, and no makeup to be found on her soft round face, a sprinkling of freckles across her nose, but it's her eyes that make me pause, eyes of molten gold glitter in the dim light. Just as I go to reply to Caleb, my CEO places a hand on my shoulder, and I slip my phone into my pants, heading into the meeting.
The whole meeting I struggle to focus, honey eyes and those sweet pouty lips floating around my mind. Despite being against having a nanny, as any other attempt had ended with Hunter destroying everything in his path, both of the kids looked so peaceful with her. My phone vibrates a few more times from my pocket, and I power it off so I can focus on my meeting as much as humanly possible. After what feels like hours the meeting comes to an end, and I exit the room, followed quickly by Caleb. "Everything is finally in order. Great work Gio." He pats me on the back and I smile back at him, one of the few people I counted as a friend. "You must be excited to get home." He says cheerfully as I boot my phone on, and as I see the pictures my mother sent, I realize I am excited.
The plane lands on the airstrip, and I exit with a stiff farewell to my staff, still staring at the photos my mother had sent that I hadn't replied to. There were several pictures of Alice, Hunter, and the woman together. Arabella. Her name was as sweet as she was, and I can't help but Zoom in on one of the pictures as I settle into the back of my car, looking at her. She's shapely, with a generous curve to her body, with long toned legs, and ample cleavage. I shake my head, taking a swig out of my flask, slightly tipsy from the booze I'd had on the plane. Arabella.... taking another swig I swipe to the next picture where zoomed in I get a perfect look at her face, drinking in the sight of her. She was going to be a problem, but maybe just maybe, the problem would be the solution to the more pressing issue he'd been facing.
As the pull up the manor, the first thing I notice is a large older pickup truck parked in front of the garage, an unrecognized Georgia license plate on the back. Getting out I study the car curiously before Renaldo appears, disdain on his features. "That would be miss. Santiago vehicle." His voice dripped with displeasure, and a wave of anger roared inside of me, the urge to protect the honor of the woman who was making my kids happy burning in my veins. "I'll bring your stuff to your room, sir." With a tight smile, I send him off, and head up the front steps, entering my home for the first time in almost a year. Everything seems the same, until I reach the kitchen, and I stop in my tracks when I spot paintings on the fridge, knocking over a mop bucket in the process.
Letting out a grunt, I look at the clock on the stove, immediately cursing myself when I notice the time. It's the middle of the night and I'm in my kitchen, making enough noise to wake the whole house. Shaking my head, I shoot a text to the maid who assures me the mess will be handled, bumping into the table in front of the window in the hall, the vase that had sat on it clattering to the ground before shattering into a million pieces. I let out another string of curses, shooting yet another text to my maids when a soft, terrified voice echoed down the hall. "Who are you?? What are you doing here?" Turning slowly to the source of the sound, I'm met with a sight that has my cock hardening in my slacks. In front of me stands Arabella, wearing nothing but a thin little pj set with a robe.
Her body relaxes when she sees my face, and I continue to study her, unable to help myself. My eyes caress down her body, from her messy brown waves to her glorious tits, her nipples visible through the thin pink fabric, her milky soft midsection visible through the gap between her top, and the sorry excuse for shorts that barely contained her long shapely legs. "Jeez, it's just you." I cock an eyebrow, an amused smirk on my face before she flushes, her whole body jumping to the rim rod straight. "I'm so sorry Mr. Vernecci I-" I hold up a hand, trying my best to hold back laughter at her discomfort. "It's nice to meet you as well miss. Santiago. goodnight." Her cheeks darken an extra shade, and I can't help but stare as she rushes away, back upstairs, my whole body urging me to follow
After the awkward encounter with Arabella, I head up to my study, watching as my men silently bring all my luggage to my room, my gaze straying to the opposite end of the hall, where my kids and Arabella's bedrooms lie. Replaying the earlier events in my head, I smirk as I recall her nervousness, my mouth practically salivating picturing her heading back upstairs, her juicy ass jiggling as she ran up the stairs. The photos mother sent had been breathtaking but hadn't truly done her justice. Heading into my bedroom, I change into pj's, and as I lay in bed I can't help but think maybe Mother was right. Having Arabella around would be a good thing, between running the company, and managing my kids, I'd been living a shell of a life. Maybe now I'd change that.
Waking in the morning, I'm surprised to be greeted with silence. Normally by this time, both kids would be up, racing down the halls laughing and screaming, but opening my door, I find the hallways silent. Walking down towards the other end I stop at hunters door first, a drop of panic settling in my chest when I find his bed empty, before heading to Alice's room across the hall. Upon entering I realize she also isn't in bed, the little kitty clock next to her bed flashes 7:13 at me, right before panic truly ensues, I hear giggling coming from the room next door, and I instantly calm, heading inside the room where it came from, and freeze. On the bed are Alice and Hunter, quietly talking and giggling to themselves oblivious to my presence, and snuggling between them is a sleeping form. Arabella.
As if she could hear my thoughts, her eyelids flutter open, and for a few moments, she's also unaware I'm there, a warm smile on her face as she hugs both the children, kissing Alice's head as she giggles. "Well, good morning my little loves." Her voice is airy and thick with sleep, and her smile falters only slightly when she notices me in the doorway, a blush spreading lightly across her face as she bends down and whispers something to the kids, before they both look up and spot me, each of them rushing off the bed and straight into my now wide open arms. "Dad! You're back!" Hunter squeezes my legs tightly, and I smile down at my boy. "Welcome home, Daddy." Alice's sweet voice is quiet, and I try not to take it personally when all I get is a quick hug from her before she rushes back to the bed
After making promises to eat all together, I head back down the hall to my room, getting dressed in a pair of Jean and a plain white Oxford button down, leaving the top 3 undone, and running my hands through my hair a few times, relishing the feeling of dressing in something other than a suit for the first time in months. As I head down the stairs, giggles and squeals float to my ears, my daughter's laughter setting my heart aflame with love. This was what I worked so hard for, so I can keep my kids happy. It's been hard between Miranda leaving and my father dying, and id be lying if I said I hadn't secretly thought I was failing them. They were my whole world and my only focus in life outside of the company. And my heart nearly freezes in my chest as I enter the dining room.
Hunter is dressed in a pair of jeans, a shirt with a monkey on it, and his short black hair neatly brushed to the side. Next to him sits Arabella and Alice, both wearing pink plaid dresses, matching white satin bows in their hair, and my mouth goes dry as I study Arabella closer. The dress she wears looks so similar to Alice's, minus being a small bit shorter, and with a much lower cut on the neckline though still modest, and I can't help the slight disappointment that it hid much more than the pj's I'd seen her in the night before. Her face heats and for a moment I worry she really can read minds before she shoots me an apologetic smile. My confusion at it only lasts a moment before both my children stand in front of me, little hands clasped, and I know by the looks on their faces that I'm doomed.
"Dad, Belle said as long as you said it's okay we can go to the zoo today." Hunter looks up at me with wide hopeful eyes, Alice joining in the plea with excitement painting her tone. "There was a baby 'elephant born!" I smile at her, the mispronunciation adorable as she pouts, her round cheeks puffing out. "I don't see why not." Both kids squeal with delight, rushing up to Arabella practically bouncing with excitement. "First you both need to eat your breakfast. You'll need your energy for the zoo." Alice digs into her French toast with gusto but Hunter fidgets, clearly unimpressed with his food. Arabella bends down to his level, her tone soothing. "If you want to see the zoo animals, you must eat, after all, how else will you get big and strong?" He looks at her wide-eyed. "Like daddy?"
I can't help but smirk as her cheeks color slightly at his words, and clearing her throat daintily she smiles down at him, shooting a shy look in my direction as she whispers her reply. "Yes, hunter. Just like daddy." The words combined with her expression have all the blood rushing to my cock, and I stifle a groan as I adjust myself under the table, feeling out of sorts for my attraction to her. "Will you be coming to the zoo with us Daddy?" Alice's sweet voice pulls me from my turmoil, and I smile over at her, my amusement building as Arabella's shock plays across her face at my reply. "Of course baby. I wouldn't miss it for the world." Excusing myself from the table with a promise to be ready by ten, I head to my study, an hour to shoot some emails before we leave, though I knew I'd get none of them done
Sitting at my desk, I look over her file which now includes printed copies of the pictures my mother had sent me of her with my children, and I can't get over how beautiful she is. Immediately the memories from last night fly through my subconscious, and I shake the thoughts from my head, knowing they were dangerous. This woman was my children's nanny, and one lesson he'd learned from his father was you didn't mix business and pleasure, but that thought doesn't stop my cock from hardening once more, and I let out a groan. This had to be because I'd been alone since Miranda left, and hadn't had sex in a year over that time. The past 4 years had been all about my kids and the company, my sex life all but going into hibernation, and the only action I'd gotten was my hand.
Thinking back to my conversation a few weeks ago with Colby, I let out a sigh. Maybe he was right, I should put myself back out there. Not for anything serious, Miranda had been enough of a lesson in why that was a bad idea, and the idea of introducing his children to a woman, having them get attached to her left a bad taste in his mouth. No, I wouldn't find love, but at the very least I could get my dick wet, ending my 4-year dry spell, love was complicated. Those thoughts continued to swirl through my head as I made my way to the front door, and resolidified as I took in Arabella tying hunters shoe, Alice holding that strange rabbit to her chest, and I realize I haven't seen her without it since I've been back. Making a mental note to ask, I repeat my mantra. Stay away from the nanny.
I try to hide my surprise as we make our way to the worn pickup truck, neither child hesitating before heading to opposite ends of the truck, Alice looking at me with a plea on her face, and I help her into her seat, buckling the harness as Arabella does the same for hunter before sliding into the driver's seat. Getting into the passenger seat I try not to grimace as she turns the key, the truck rumbling to life after a few tries. As if sensing my trepidation she lets out a laugh, the sound zapping straight to my dick. "Don't worry. She's old but she's still got plenty of life left in her." Adjusting her mirror, she turns to look into the backseat, both kids erupting into cheers when she asks "Who ready to go to the zoo?" As we head down the driveway, I can't help but stare at her out of the corner of my eye, the sun making her eyes glitter like gold.
As we zoom down the highway, she turns the radio on and Alice lets out an ear-piercing shrill from the backseat. "Turn it up please Belle" Her little voice begs from the backseat, and another musical laugh leaves her lips as she turns the volume up, a country love song playing through the speakers and I'm shocked to hear both kids singing it from the backseat, that shock morphing to awe when the chorus starts and Arabella opens her mouth, and the most angelic song spills from her full pouty lips, dancing side to side as she heads down the highway. The song changes to another, and the 3 of them continue to sing with the music, my heart beating fast in my chest, my mantra flying weakly through my head, and I realize it will be much harder than I thought to accomplish.
After 15 more minutes of the personal concert, we finally arrive at the zoo, and she turns the radio down to speak with the parking lot attendant before handing him her card, both kids bouncing hard enough to shake the truck. After getting her card back from the attendant, she parks in one of the front spots, slipping the parking receipts into the window before Hopping out and helping Hunter out of the truck, as I help Alice out of her side, her little body wriggling with excitement to get down and explore. As soon as I set her down Arabella claps her hands, both kids freezing to look up at her. "I know we're excited to be at the zoo, but remember we stick together, and no running. We have all day and we need to be mindful of others." Alice takes her hand and Hunter takes mine, both children promising to be on their best behavior. The whole walk to the entrance my gaze finds Arabella, the gentle summer breeze causing her and Alice's dresses to swish and sway as they skip together down the path leading to the admissions booth, both wearing matching smiles as Alice squeals about wanting to see the elephants when she sees a statue of one by the entrance, Arabella smiling down at her, her eyes shining with adoration before turning to look at Hunter and me over her shoulder.
We head to the front entrance and I pay for our tickets, Arabella impatiently explaining she could pay for herself at the very least after the worker stamps our wrists, earning a chuckle from me. As we walk into the zoo, the two children dragging us to the first exhibit, she leans close enough to me that I catch a whiff of orange and vanilla, the scent light and feminine. "I could have paid for myself you know." Her voice is hushed despite the kids being too distracted by the tigers in the exhibit to care what was being said. "Yes well, I pay you, Miss Santiago. So I would have paid either way." She turns red at the comment but doesn't respond as we head to the next cage, holding a family of monkeys. "Arabella." Her voice is soft, her gaze fixed on the enclosure in front of us. I look at her, cocking an amused brow as her face heats, clearing her throat in an attempt to compose herself. " You can call me Arabella." Her gaze shifts as Hunter mimics one of the monkeys, a small smile on her face as she tacks on, " Or my friends call me Belle." Looking over at my children, both enveloped in the animals behind the cage bars, I take a moment to soak in the normalcy of it all, really relaxing for the first time in a long time. Leaning against the wall next to her, I take a moment to appreciate the calm before things get hectic again.
As if on cue Alice grabs her hand, wiggling her little body between us, clearly jealous that Arabella isn't focused on her, before excitedly exclaiming that they matched the shirt her big brother wore, the rabbit still tucked tightly in her little arms. "That's right sweet girl." Arabella coos at my daughter, a genuine smile spreading across her face, bending down to tuck a stray curl back into her hair ribbon. As we walk towards another exhibit, a child to each of us, I smile at her, her face heating once more as I catch her glancing at me. As we approach, both lives taking off to look at the animals inside, I lean in close to her, a smirk coming to my face as her face flushes. "Then please call me Giovanni." The grin on my face grows as the blush spreads to her chest. " Or my friends call me Gio," I whisper, a feigned look of secrecy on my face, and I'm rewarded with a smile myself, a giggle erupting from her. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Gio." I take her outstretched hand, "Likewise, Belle." The moment my lips hit her knuckles, we're interrupted as Alice whines about needing to pee, Hunter joins in the potty dance and we make our way to the restroom. Hunter walks into the men's room, and I watch as Alice hands the rabbit to Belle, asking her to guard it while she pees. "Of course!" Belle says, her face unnaturally serious, before holding a hand to her heart. "I promise I will keep him safe for you, pretty girl." Alice wraps her little arms around Belles's legs thanking her, and my heart skips a beat, the sweet moment making me smile. Smiling she takes it, and Alice skips off into the bathroom, Belle shooting me a smile.
As we stand against the wall between the two bathrooms, I finally decide to ask. "What's up with the rabbit?" She raises a brow before jumping slightly as I point to the ratty brown rabbit in her arms, an apologetic smile on her face. "When I first started there was an incident in the stables. Alice managed to get into one of the stalls with a black mare." Panic races through me, knowing that Starfire was my only black mare, and she was not friendly. "I managed to calm the mare and get Alice out of there unharmed. But she had trouble sleeping that night and came to me." I can't help the shock on my face, between knowing Starfire had calmed for her and the peril his daughter has faced. "She took a liking to Bonbon, so I offered him to her to Try and keep her in her bed, without much luck"
The shock morphs to amusement, trying desperately to swallow a laugh I look at her. "Bonbon? It's just a bunny" Her cheeks take on a deeper shade of red, but before she can answer Alice comes walking up with Hunter, and she hands the rabbit back to my daughter, who turns to me with a fierce expression. " He isn't just a bunny." She narrows her eyes at me, holding the toy directly in front of my face, Belle looking like she was choking holding back laughter. "His name is Bonbon and he's a knight! He protects me from bad dreams just like he did for Belle! Right, belle?" My daughter whirls to look at her, and it's my turn to bite back laughter, her blush deepening as she nodded quickly at Alice. Seemingly satisfied with that answer, I hold my hands up in surrender.
As we come to the final stretch of the zoo, we head towards the elephant exhibit that the kids had been dying to see, the sidewalk is painted with colorful plastic and glass the zoo had lining the path from the trees, an example they use to teach children about recycling, as the sun began to set behind us. As we reach the elephants, my phone rings from my pocket, looking at it I let out a low curse. Colby's name blinks on the screen, and I look at Belle and the kids, all 3 of them looking at me, Alice looking impatiently at the exhibit trying to see through a wall to get a glimpse at the baby elephant, my son Won't meet my eyes, but belle saves the day. "Daddy will meet us inside the exhibit. Let's go see the baby elephant." Both kids follow her, and I shoot her a grateful smile before answering the call
"Sorry to interrupt your first day off in forever." I chuckle with a shake of my head, before managing a reply. "It's fine, but I'm at the zoo with Belle and the kids so make it fast." There's a pause of silence, and I realize what I just said. "Belle?" I mutter a curse, internally scolding myself for the slip-up. "Miss. Santiago. She's the kid's new nanny."
All I get in reply is a low hum before he jumps right into business. There was a huge problem with a trade deal with one of what used to be a big competitor. 20 minutes fly by as I problem-solve with him, and by the time I'm done it's dark, many families making their way to the exit. Entering the exhibit, I'm struck as I take in the scene in front of me. Hunter and Alice are sitting in her lap, Alice is fast asleep and hunters eyes droop.
"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to bail on the whole reason we came to the zoo." I smile awkwardly, cringing internally as I can't figure out why I'm apologizing to her, but my son speaks next, saving me further embarrassment. "It's okay Dad, I get it." Belle stands with a sleeping Alice as Hunter slides off her lap, and I try to hide my frown when he ignores my outstretched hand, clinging to Belle instead. She shoots me a sympathetic smile, and we make our way to the exit, me and hunter stopping in the gift shop while Belle got Alice to the truck. As soon as we enter he makes his way to a display of plush elephants, and to my surprise he picks the second biggest, asking the attendant politely to help him get it to the register. Raising a brow I follow him to the figurines.
"Whose the elephant for?" Curiosity is evident in my tone as he plucks a monkey figure off the shelf and then heads to an aisle that has necklaces hanging on pegs. "It's for my sister. She loved the elephants." I can't help but stare at him as he carefully grabs one of the necklaces, sounding so much older than 6. "And whose the necklace for?" This was more of a rhetorical question because as I go to pay I realize the necklace is a rabbit. "It's for Belle. She was nice and gave her bunny to Alice. So this one can keep her dreams safe while hers protects Alice." I follow him to the truck, elephant in hand while he carries the bag, and when we reach the truck he hands the necklace to Belle, who accepts it with a tearful smile, hugging him before lifting him into his seat, buckling him with a kiss
As she climbs into the driver's seat, I secure Alice's elephant in the back of the truck, then slide into my seat. Alice begins the hour drive home, the radio playing softly, both kids are sound asleep by the time we hit the highway. As we merge onto the freeway, I let out a sigh running a hand through my hair. "I am honestly sorry," I say more to myself than her, but her answering sigh makes me turn to look at her. "It's fine. I'm the nanny. I exist to take care of them for you while they're busy. Hunter was a bit disappointed, but he knows you work hard to take care of them. " Her words bring me an odd sense of comfort, and I smile as she fiddles with the bunny necklace around her neck. "Well thank you for being there for them while I do it." Her face reddens, but her smile is bright.
She cuts the truck engine once we pull into the drive, and hops out grabbing Alice, her body instinctively holding onto her as they walk, and I grab Hunter, nodding to Renaldo as he grabs the large elephant out of the truck bed. Heading upstairs I go into hunters room, quietly stepping around the Lego set on his floor, before laying him on his bed. Staring down at my son, I brush a stray hair from his face, my heart swelling with love for my little boy. His eyelids flutter open and he smiles at me, reaching up to hug me. "I love you, Dad, thanks for coming to the zoo with us." I shove back tears and return the smile, kissing his forehead. "Of course buddy." He lets out a yawn, and as I tip-toe back out I barely hear him whisper. "Thank you for Belle too. She's nice. I like her."
As I step out into the hall, closing his door softly behind me, I play back his words, my chest tight. I definitely couldn't afford to mess with Belle, it could potentially cost the kids their relationship with her when she realizes that nothing serious can come of it, and I hammer that idea in my head as I walk into Alice's room, before stopping, confused to find her bed empty as I remembered belles explanation of bonbon. It was to try and keep her in her bed. Despite the warning voice in the back of his head, he went down the hall, away from his room. As I approach the last room in the hall, the door is open a Crack, so I push it open the rest of the way, my new mantra singing through my head as I stare. My daughter is tucked into belles bed, still in her dress, fast asleep with bonbon.
Before I can ponder the situation too far, the door to en suite opens, and out steps Belle, in another scandalous set of pj's, this one a small slip of a dress rather than shorts and a tank top, her hair no longer restricted by the ribbon falls in loose messy waves down her back. My mouth goes dry, my cock springing to life, and as she looks up, those honey eyes grow wide, and my cock manages to grow harder. She doesn't say a word, walking over to her bed and kissing Alice's head with a murmured goodnight, my sweet daughter babbling a nonsensical goodnight in response, before tucking her in, and heading right towards me, her bottom lip between her teeth. If I'd thought my cock couldn't get any harder, I was wrong, the damn thing was hard enough to cut diamonds as we head downstairs.
Once on the ground level, we head into the living room, and she takes a seat on one of the sofas, crossing those shapely legs and causing her dress to sneak higher up her thighs, exposing even more milky flesh to me. Swallowing hard I turn to the bar cart, grabbing down two tumblers, before turning to her and holding up one of the glasses and raising a brow in question, pleasantly surprised when she nods. "It's Friday, I'm off tomorrow, though don't tell Alice that." She takes the tumbler from me and knocks back the bourbon with surprising grace, not even flinching as the 104year old liquor hit her throat. "It would be the end of the world." I muse back, my smile growing as she snorts out a laugh, holding her tumbler out to me when I offer her another glass.
"I meant what I said in the truck by the way. I appreciate you taking care of and loving my kids while I've been busy, they both seem to love you." Smiling into her tumbler shyly, she knocks more of the amber liquid down her throat, releasing a sigh. "The feeling is mutual. They're great kids. Both so full of wonder and love..." she trails off, her eyes glossing for a moment with an emotion I can't place, but it's gone as quickly as it appeared. "But..?" I prompt, filling her glass again, and she pauses looking from me to it and back again before a longer sigh passes her lips. "But they're troubled too." This glass she take in a rushed gulp, before turning to me, unshed tears shining in her honey depths, anguish flowing off of her in waves.
"Troubled?" The word sets the hairs on my body on end, hating the idea that my children could be unhappy. She nods silently, taking a moment to compose herself before continuing. "When their aunt and uncle came to pick them up Alice refused to even go near them." My eyebrows shoot up, genuinely surprised at her admission, but before I can question she continues. "And Hunter seemed fine with his uncle but his aunt.." she trailed off once more, suspicion and sadness flitting across her face. "Really?" Her face goes solemn, and she drops the biggest bombshell, relaying what his sweet little girl had told her on their shopping trip, the grip on my tumbler close to shattering the glass. "They truly believe they are bad. That because of their lineage they are a problem."
I carefully place my tumbler on the coffee table, trying my best not to slam it, before turning fully to her, silent tears streaming down her face. "How could anyone talk about or to a child in a way that makes them feel like that?" Her voice is scratchy, and my heart tightens in my chest, as she cries for the injustices of my children. Sniffling she wipes beneath her eyes, pulling herself together again. "I'll find out what's been happening and put an end to it." My voice is calm and steady completely betraying the rage that coursed through my veins, the urge to fix the problem almost suffocating. She gives me a sad smile, before standing and heading to the door. "Not many people would stop it. You're a good man, gio. Goodnight." And she left out into the hall, not turning back.
I stand staring at the doorway she left through for a moment, my throat thick with emotions, before finally composing myself. Looking at the clock on the wall, I find it's still pretty early, so I pull out my phone, and Caleb answers on the first ring. "How was your family trip to the zoo?" His tone is playful, and it's clear he's had a few drinks. "I need the names of several people hunted down." There's a single second of silence before he replies. "Who? What did they do?" I let out an angry sigh, staring at a picture of both my kids and me on the mantle from last Christmas. "Not sure. Find out who's been running their mouths inside the family, family friends, and staff about my kids." A dark chuckle comes from the line, Caleb seeming to sober up immediately. "Uncle Caleb's on it. You'll have a list by Monday."
Hanging up the phone I head into my study, beginning the search on my own though I had very little idea of where to start. I began by making a list of everyone in contact with the kids, crossing out names of those I knew would never speak ill of them, and looked at the narrowed list, my blood boiling. I'm awoken a short time later by a thud from the kitchen, My body going rigid as I look at the clock. Damn, I passed out for 3 whole hours, rubbing the sleep from my eyes I get up and head down the hall to the kitchen, the room is dark except for the light spilling from the window and the fridge. As I get closer to the doorway, the island comes into view, and my heart almost stops in my chest, my body suddenly fully awake, especially my cock, which fights against my zipper to be free.
On the floor in front of me is Belle on her hands and knees, her back to me, giving me a glorious view of her supple ass, which is completely exposed in this position, a thin scrap of lace covering her pussy, and doing absolutely nothing to hide her ass cheeks from me. My cock jumps in my jeans, my mouth salivating as she sways side to side, cleaning the small puddle of milk off the floor. My eyes track her as she stands, throwing the soiled paper towels into the bin, before turning towards me, jumping out of her skin with a yelp when she sees me, before relaxing. I continue to rove her body with my eyes, unable to speak, and she begins to study me, worrying that plump bottom lip between her teeth, her breath catching when her gaze finally trails down to my cock, the front of my pants a tent.