Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
I told myself it meant nothing, that being a decent father didn’t erase who Enzo DeRossi was or what he’d done.
But sometimes when I glanced up, I caught glimpses of the boy I used to love. The way his eyes crinkled at the corners reminded me of just how much fun we’d always had together. The deep laugh that was just a little louder than was polite did too. He never cared when his laugh drew attention; he was always focused on me. Beneath that easygoing smile and those relaxed eyes was an intensity that was easy to miss if you weren’t looking for it.
Noticing that made my chest ache in ways I refused to examine too closely.
My dates with Mattie were wonderful. He was a smart and inquisitive little boy who had a big heart. Just a few days in, he was the perfect reminder of why this job mattered.
But all of my days ended with me sitting across an expansive desk from Enzo in his office with the dark walls closing in on me. His all-seeing green eyes bore into me for exactly one minute before he demanded updates. “How is Matteo?” he asked, using the same cold, businesslike tone each day that made it feel more like a board meeting than a parent-teacher conference.
I inhaled deeply, and the answer always came on the exhale. “Mattie is doing great. He’s smart and kind, well-adjusted, and eager to learn.”
That wasn’t enough for Enzo. “Where is he succeeding?”
“He is above average to varying degrees in all subjects,” I answered, my tone matter-of-fact.
Enzo nodded. “And where does he need more help or guidance?”
“It’s still early, but language structure. That will improve the more we read together.” I had answers for all of his questions and I supplied them in an even tone. I kept my posture upright but calm, all while maintaining a cool, professional distance.
It was painful, being so close to him. Proximity made the past come roaring back in vivid, visceral color. The way he said my name and the way his eyes softened just a fraction when he looked at me were hard to ignore. My days, so far, ended with the same kick to the heart.
But the most annoying and terrifying part of all?
Each day that kick hurt a little less.
Forgetting that pain, no matter the reason, was a direct path back to heartache, and what kind of fool would I be to invite that into my life again?
The worst kind of fool. The kind who failed to learn a valuable and painful lesson.
“Are you listening, Ren?”
I blinked, pulled sharply back into the present. Mattie stood in front of me, hands on his hips, his green eyes suspicious. “Sorry,” I said with a chuckle. “I must’ve been daydreaming.”
He giggled, the sound an instant balm to the pain of the past.
“It happens even to grown-ups.”
“What were you daydreaming about?” he asked, curiosity written all over his face.
I hesitated for only a moment. “I was thinking about how much you remind me of your dad. He was always so curious about every little thing, and he asked lots of questions.”
His eyes widened. “Really?”
I nodded. “Yep.” It wasn’t just those green eyes either, though they were identical. “You don’t see it?”
Mattie shook his head, looking genuinely stunned. “He’s so big and awesome.”
“You’re awesome too,” I assured him. “The big part comes with age. Your dad was a little boy once.”
That made him laugh, loud and unselfconscious, and something in my chest softened in response.
We finished lessons by early afternoon. I uploaded everything through the VPN Enzo’s security team had set up to ensure Mattie didn’t fall behind during his time away. The system was efficient and encrypted, and given the threat he’d spoken about, it was exactly the right amount of caution. It was odd, operating each day with that level of protection surrounding us, humming quietly and effectively in the background.
When it was time for play, Mattie bounced on his toes. “Can we do something outside?” he asked, wearing the same excited grin every day.
I scanned the backyard outside the window, taking in the tall trees that provided excellent cover and the seemingly endless carpet of green. I couldn’t see them, but I knew there were cameras all over the property, invisible to the naked eye but omnipresent. I tapped my chin as if I had to think about it even though I had a plan. “I have an idea, but I’m not sure you’re up for it.”
“What is it?” he asked, his question too loud.
“Have you ever done a scavenger hunt?”
His eyes sparkled with excitement, but he shook his head. “What’s that?”
I explained it simply. “We’ll write up clues for one another to help us find each object,” I said, pulling out two bags filled with toys, candies, and school supplies. “Write a clue and hide something.”