Page 40 of Powerful Deception

I use the word papi for Dante, a word that I’ve heard him use a few times. Maybe by me using it, Alessandra warms up to me a bit more.

As for Allie, well her name is beautiful, but it can be a mouthful, and she doesn’t seem to mind it.

The little girl gives me a nod before going back to her drawing. Her concentration tells me that the piece of paper in front of her is her very own masterpiece.

“Excuse me?” A voice says from next to me.

Looking up, I see a woman with hair up to her ears looking down at me and given the paint-stained apron she has on, I would say she’s the teacher.

“Yes?” I ask, not getting up from my position.

“Are you Arianna? Ms. Evelyn informed me that there was someone new that I had to add to the pick-up list, and I just wanted to make sure.”

I give the teacher a smile. “Yeah, that’s me.”

She gives me a nod. “Would it be possible for me to get a copy of your identification? We need to keep a list of everyone. It’s a rule the school has.”

Without hesitation, I hand my ID over and she takes it to get a copy, the whole time the country club moms are looking.

I continue to ignore them as I get Alessandra ready to go and wait for the teacher to come back. It’s when I’m grabbing Allie’s little cardigan that one of the country club moms approaches.

The scent of her overly floral perfume tells me that this isn’t going to be a pleasant conversation.

“You must be the new Mrs. Rosetti. It’s nice to meet you, I’m Helen Baker,” the lady, who I’m guessing is the lead country club mom, says.

Mrs. Rosetti?

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say, giving her a nod. “But no, I'm not Mrs. Rosetti. I’m just the new nanny helping out.”

Helen fakes gasps as if that is the hardest thing to believe. “Oh, you’re the help. That’s good. For a second, I thought that Dante had downgraded, no offense. You’re just so,” she stops and looks me up and down before she continues. “So bland. You do look sensible enough to be the nanny.”

I swear if my dad hadn’t taught me to keep a good composure when someone is bad mouthing you, this woman would probably have two teeth left.

Instead of lunging at her, I plant a closed lip smile on my face and give her a response as eloquently as possible.

“Well, I’m glad that you think I’m sensible enough. Now if you would excuse me, I have to get this little one home.”

Thankfully the teacher comes back with my ID and tells me I’m all set before saying her own goodbye to Alessandra. Who by the way waves enthusiastically at her teacher before she takes my hand.

Helen watches the whole thing, not moving an inch to head back to her country club friends. When I sidestep her to head to the door, she cuts me off, smiling as if I’m her best friend.

“I was going to tell this to her father if he stopped by today, but I think I’ll tell you and you can pass the message along.” Helen leans in, taking my elbow in the process.

“What message?” I can feel my eyes narrow at the woman in front of me just waiting to hear whatever she’s about to say.

“I think he should look into taking Alessandra to a child psychologist. I think she needs help, you know, mentally. And maybe even a plastic surgeon for that scar.”

If I didn’t have the need deep in me to punch her before, I sure as hell do know.

Who the fuck does this woman think she is? And with fucking audacity.

“Excuse me?” I hear the bite in my tone, and I know she hears it too, but she brushes it off as if this is just an everyday topic of discussion.

“Didn’t you see that not one child was drawing her? She’s an outcast, and he should look at getting her help.”

This bitch.

I grab onto Alessandra’s hand a little tighter as I step closer to Helen so she can hear me and nobody else.