Balotelli-Bale Series Book #4: THE OTHER MAN PART 1

Chapter 57: Pick One

"...things rarely go according to plan
but when plan A fails
remember there are twenty five more letters to go..."

Margaux's POV
"I know..."

"You are not listening!" Russo reprimanded me. "What you have done... we won't cover you for that!"

I pressed the bridge of my nose. I did something really stupid. In a drunk fit, I paid off someone to drive into a car in Amalfi. The occupants of the car were Keira's parents. I think Mancini knows if Russo is going off on me like this.

"Does he know about the accident?"

"I'm not going to tell him it's you. But you owe me!"

"Oh thank goodness. I definitely owe you."

"Whatever you need to with Nick, wrap it up today. Everything ends today."

"What? Why the rush?"

I'm outside Maddie's preschool. I want to see her but I guess with the time crunch I might as well steal her away. They won't let me take her because Marianna is running the show now. The last time I was here I was told the Italian lady said she will sue the whole school if her granddaughter goes missing! I have to give it to her. Suing a preschool?

"Not your concern. It ends today."

"All right. Thanks for the heads-up."

I walked into the playground, sand making my heels sway. Damn this place! I waved at the little girl on the swing and gave her a big smile. I blew her a kiss.

She came running to me.

It's a preschool. It's not odd to see a parent or two here. I remember her first day. Nick didn't go to work. He stayed with her all day. I went to the spa. It's not like she would have died from being here for a few hours!

"Ready to go?" I asked her.

"Where are we going mommy?" I pulled the blue ribbons from her hair. "No mommy, I like those! Nonna made my hair!"

"Nonna is making you look like a cheap girl. Come on!" I carried her away.

"Mrs Bale!" I heard the annoying voice of one of her teachers. "Mrs Bale! Wait!"

I can't outrun her in heels. I stopped momentarily. "Yes?"

"What are you doing?" Her eyes shifted between Maddie and me.

"Carrying my daughter! What are you doing?"

She glanced at her wrist watch. "It's 10am.in the morning. You're running towards the parking lot. What are you doing?"

"Running towards the parking lot." She will not allow me to leave with Maddie. "This will hurt."

I hit her neck,right under her chin to keep her from screaming for help and pepper sprayed her face before running away with Maddie in my arms. While she's finding this funny, I'm not. This is a kidnapping! This is how I leverage Nick, when I threaten to take his daughter back to France. With this murder charge, he won't stand a chance in a custody battle. Zero.

After putting Maddie in the back seat, I drove off. The guards at the gate always check the cars. "Hide Maddie! Hide and seek! Hide so that no one can see you!"

She hid herself behind my seat.

I momentarily stepped at the gate.

"All done ma'am?"

"All done. I just wanted to see her to make sure she's fine. I miss her so much! I almost wish she wouldn't have to go to school!" I laughed and touched his arm.