Chapter 184 Enzo and Ari
Ari's P.O.V.
I wake up and come face-to-face with a smiling Enzo. He fell asleep when I read to him, and looked so comfortable I didn't want to move him. I haven't been around kids much, but spending this time with Enzo has made me think about Dakota and me having kids.
"Did you have a nice nap?" I ask him as I push a button to raise the recliner. My back hurts a little, but it's tolerable.
"Yes. Are me and my mommy going to stay here?" He looks hopeful.
"I know you're going to stay here for now, but I don't know for how long. Do you like it here?" He nods.
"Yes. It's nice here, and the people are nice too. Sometimes people aren't always nice." Enzo looks down.
"Has someone not been nice to you?" I can't imagine anyone being mean to this little boy.
"My daddy hit me and my mommy. He was really mean when he talked, too. Did Galdino hit you?" I clench my fists. His dad needs a visit to the negotiation room.
"No, he never hit me. He'll be nice to you, too." Enzo lays his head on my shoulder.
"The man who took me cut my babysitter with a knife and hit me. He said my mommy had to kill Galdino, but she doesn't kill people. Why would he say that?" I rub his back. I can't tell him that his mom was going to kill my dad.
"He wasn't a good man. You don't have to worry about him anymore." We both look up when the bedroom door opens. Dakota, my dad, Benny, and a woman, I assume is Valentina, walk in. My dad has his arm around Valentina, and I can't hide my surprise.
"Why are you and Galdino hugging?" Enzo asks. Dakota, Benny, and I laugh.
"Is it okay if Galdino hugs me? Hi, Ari, I'm Valentina. Thank you for keeping an eye on Enzo." I hold my hand out to her and then look at my dad.
"It's nice to meet you, too. He's a good kid." Dakota lifts Enzo off my lap.
"Hey, kiddo. Do you think you can go downstairs and help my mom and the others with dinner? We'll be down in a few minutes. Tell them you want chocolate cake for dessert." I know she’s having him tell them because that’s what she wants, and who can say no to such an innocent little boy? She loves her chocolate cake.
"Are you going to come down for dinner too?" Enzo asks me.
"I'll have to eat up here. Maybe in a few days, I can go downstairs." I'm getting stronger, and with Courtney's help, my skin isn't so tight, so I can move around more.
"Okay." Dakota puts him down, and he runs out of the room. She kisses me and sits on the arm of the chair.