Chapter 177 Quincy's Mole
Dakota's P.O.V.
I knew I was right about Galdino and Valentina. I can already tell she's a tough woman who doesn't take anyone's shit, not to mention she has the sweetest little boy in the world. Courtney and Sarah made lunch, and I'm preparing a tray to take to Ari.
"Can I go with you?" Enzo asks, looking up at me with his big brown eyes.
"Sure. If it's okay with your mom." I look at Valentina, who is sitting next to Galdino.
"I'm taking food up to my fiancé, Ari; he's Galdino's son. Can Enzo go with me?" She smiles and nods.
"Of course." I don't think Galdino has taken his eyes off her since they joined us.
"Can I carry something?" Enzo asks. I hand him the can of soda.
"Be very careful with this, or when Ari opens it, the soda will go all over the place." Enzo nods, and as we begin walking, he holds the can with both hands and takes slow, careful steps. When we reach the bedroom, Enzo opens the door for me. Ari looks up from his laptop and smiles. He looks so much better now that he can sit in the chair.
"You must be Enzo. I'm Ari." He holds his hand out to the little boy. They shake hands as I put the food on Ari's table.
"Is Galdino your dad?" Enzo asks him.
"Yes," Ari replies. I sit in another chair to watch them. One day soon, they may be brothers.
"Was he nice when you were little?" Enzo looks up at Ari with concern.
"Yes. Why?" Ari takes a bite of his pasta.
"My dad wasn't nice. He hurt my mommy and me. I like Galdino. I wish he was my dad." My heart breaks for him. I don't think Valentina realizes that Enzo remembers what happened. When we talked, she said Enzo was too young to remember his dad. Ari reaches over and rubs Enzo's head.
"I didn't have a nice mom, but I heard that your mom is really nice." Enzo smiles and nods.
"She lets me eat pizza sometimes, and she reads to me. Galdino read to me, too." Ari looks at me in surprise.
"When I went downstairs, Enzo was sitting on his lap, and they were reading a book." I know Galdino never read with Ari when he was Enzo's age.
"He's changing even more than I thought." Ari eats some more of his food.
"Why are you up here and not downstairs?" Enzo asks him.
"I hurt my back, and it's hard for me to move around, so it's easier for me to stay up here." I love watching them. Enzo reminds me so much of myself when I was his age. I wanted to know everything and wasn't afraid to ask questions about the things I didn't know.
"Can you read with me too?" Enzo asks hopefully.
"When I'm done eating, how about we read a couple of books?" Ari smiles at him.
"Can I go downstairs to get the books?" Enzo asks me.
"Yes." He leaves the room, and I look at Ari.
"He's a great kid, isn't he?" I ask.
"Yeah, he is. So, Dad was really spending time with him, huh?" Ari looks thoughtful as he chews.
"Don't be surprised if that little boy is your brother soon. I may have somewhat pushed Galdino and Valentina together. I peeked in on them when they were talking a few times. Your dad caught me once, but the last time, he was too busy with his tongue down her throat." Ari starts laughing.
"Okay, I don't want to think about my dad being with a woman, but he must like her. You know how I was before we met, well, he was even worse. Seeing the box of Grandpa's and Gloria's things and being around us has really made him see what it could be like to have a woman to love." I walk over and kiss him as he finishes his food.
"How are you feeling? Do you need to lie down?" I ask.
"I feel great. Courtney and your mom have been checking on me." I still need to get to the bottom of why everyone decided to hang out here today. I don't have a problem with it, but I still believe they're up to something. We look toward the door when we hear little footsteps coming toward us. Enzo is carrying a stack of books, and I try not to laugh.
"Is this too many?" he asks Ari. Ari's eyes widen, but he just chuckles.
"Nope, it looks like just enough. I used to read a lot when I was your age. I bet you're super smart, too." Enzo beams at him as I help him put the books on Ari's table.
"Galdino told me to bring them all up here because he and my mom have to talk about something." I look at Ari. I don't think they're going to be talking. I think it's cute. One minute, Valentina is pointing a gun at him, and the next, they're having sex. I carefully help Enzo onto Ari's lap so he's sitting sideways and not leaning on Ari. I don’t want to make his back hurt.
"Does that feel okay?" I ask.
"Yeah. What book is first?" Enzo hands one to Ari, and as they start reading, I pull out my phone and take a picture of them. I will show Galdino and Valentina once they're not so busy.
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Quincy's P.O.V.
I've been waiting for a text or call from Jamie all day, but so far, nothing. I didn't want to show my last card, but I don't have a choice. I pull out my phone and send a text.
"What's going on there? I haven't heard from Jamie?"
"She was killed last night." Now I wonder if the text she sent me last night was from her or someone else. If Dakota killed her and she has her phone, then they know about me.
"Then it's up to you. I need you to kill Dakota or Ari. I don't care which one."
"When?" I think about my reply before answering him.
"No later than tomorrow."
"I'll get it done." I smile as I sit back in my chair. I wasn't sure about him when I approached him last week, but it looks like our agreement will pay off. Benny better not mess up, or he'll be dead next.