A half hour later, Rhea tucked the teddy bear next to Nicci in his bed and kissed his cheek. If you need Mama, just call out. Ill hear you. I promise.
She turned around and found Joey standing in the doorway. Hed changed into a pair of dry pantsjeans that showed off his lean hips and long legs. A steel-gray V-neck sweater covered his broad shoulders and revealed a hint of black hair on his chest.
Hed shaved, but it didnt soften his set jaw. He was angry with her, possibly even more so now than he had been that morning.
When he backed up, she walked out and started down the hall. Trailing her, he said, Not too smart making promises you cant keep, Rhea. Tomorrow Niccolo will have a nanny, and all of his needs will be met by a professional.
Rhea spun around. Are you so sure shell be able to meet all of his needs, Joey? If she had been here tonight, she would have attempted to bathe Nicci, just like you did.
Your point?
My point is that no matter how good your nanny is, she wont be able to replace me. Niccis afraid of water, and you can tell that to your professional, after youve frightened your son half to death. But do you know what to tell her about his allergies, or are you planning on jumping feet-first into that unknown territory, too?
Allergies? What kind of allergies? You said he was healthy.
He is healthy. Just allergic to carrots.
Carrots? What else?
Rhea hesitated, then said, I should let you find out the hard way, Joey. But at whose expense? It wouldnt be yours or your professionals, it would be at Niccis expense. Still, a nanny wont know that he likes peas better than squash. Or that thunderstorms make him wake up crying. Or that he gets constipated if he doesnt drink enough juice. But I know those things, Joey.
I know them because Ive been with our son every minute since he was born. On a roll, she jabbed herself in the chest. Me! The only professional he needs! His mother!
He reached out and covered her mouth with his hand. Were not going to fight in the hall where he can hear us, he whispered hotly.
Rhea opened her mouth and bit down hard on the side of his hand, so frustrated and angry that she reacted before she thought.
Maledizione!
The minute she let go, she warned him off with her extended arm. Im the one who should be caring for our son. But have it your waydaddy. Father knows best, right?
She turned then, and quickly headed for the door. She didnt want to go, but he was going to send her back to her cell with a view, anyway. At least this way, she wouldnt have to be led away like a criminal on her way back to lockup.
Shed almost reached the door when he caught her in the foyer and turned her around. Backing her against the wall, he easily pinned her there. He leaned in and snapped, Damn you, Rhea Damn your hide.
And damn your hide right back, Joey. Now let go! Or Ill
Or youll what?
Instead of telling him, Rhea hoisted her knee.
As she clipped him in the crotch, Joey swore, then wedged his knee between her legs and gave her his weight. You should have told me you were pregnant, damn you.
You should have told me you were engaged to Sophia DLano.
Im Niccolos father.
Im his mother.
The room fell silent as he stared her down. A full minute lapsed before he said, Then, the answer is simple, isnt it?
His voice was no longer full of anger, but of resignation.
Nothing is simple when it comes to you, Joey. Not one damn thing.
He raised his hand and brushed a finger over the scar on her lower lip. Say it? Say youll do whatever you have to, for the sake of our son. I want to hear you say it.
If she refused him this time, she might never see Nicci again. Never hold him, or hear his sweet voice call her Mama. Life wouldnt be worth living without her son, and she was sure Joey had figured that out. He knew he had her boxed into a corner. A very tight corner.
Her chin quivered, but Rhea kept it up, anyway. Okay, Joey, she whispered. I get to care for Nicci, and
I get whatever I want.
There was more silence. Rheas chin continued to tremble, and Joeys eyes bored into her as if he was waiting for her to change her mind. But she wasnt going to, and when another minute passed, he dropped his hand and stepped back.
Theres an empty bedroom across the hall from Niccolos room. You can move your things in there. Tomorrow morning, meet me in the sunroom at seven sharp. Ill tell the cook she has the morning off. Two eggs, three strips of bacon, juice and coffee, Rhea. Questions?
She shook her head.
He turned and swung the door open. Gates, Ms. Williams is moving again. Get somebody downstairs to pack her things.
And where will she be moving to, sir?
Rhea heard several graphic words, all of them in Italian. Then, Where do you think, Gates?
Sir?
More Italian. Get her suitcases up here within the hour, Gates. Capiche?
Joey headed for the Stardust Bar on the tenth floor of Masado Towers, intent on getting drunk. The idea behind the Open Twenty-Four Hours sign out front was to give the night owls a place to lightall night long, if need be.