Dominic gave her a helpless smile as her daughter fairly dragged him away. Despite herself, Ava couldn’t help smiling. Things could always be worse. Maia could not like Dominic at all and then she’d really have trouble on her hands. She leaned against the door as she heard them rustling around in the kitchen.

It was weird. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen her daughter so happy. Yes you can, Ava. When she was with her father. Joseph. That was why her daughter had taken to Dominic so quickly. There was no male figure in her life. She was missing a father’s attention. Ava blinked back the tears that came to her eyes. Her daughter didn’t deserve this—to be without a father. Ava had tried her best to give Maia all the love and attention she could, but obviously a mother couldn’t do it all and after a little over six months without Joseph it was becoming painfully evident.

A tear slipped down her cheek. The doorbell rang, startling her. She wasn’t expecting anyone. She opened the door and was nearly frozen in place. Angelo stood outside her door. Things were really about to hit the fan now.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Angelo, what are you doing here?”

“Come on now, Ava. You can’t forget what I said. Things aren’t over between us.”

“There was never anything between us, Angelo. You need to go.” Ava tried to close the door, but Angelo pushed it back and stepped into the foyer.

“I’m not going anywhere, Ava. You can’t keep avoiding me.”

“I’m not avoiding you. I don’t have time for this right now, Angelo.”

“Well make time, Ava.”

“Mommy. Mommy, do you want some ice cream?”

Maia ran into the room, a bowl of chocolate ice cream in her hands. Her face was already sticky with the dessert.

“No, sweetheart. That’s alright. You enjoy it.”

“Maia, you’ve gotten so big since the last time I saw you.”

“Who are you?” Maia asked.

Ava nearly laughed. “This is your Uncle Angelo. Daddy’s brother.”

Angelo glared at her before he turned his attention back to Maia. “I’d have thought you’d at least remember who I am.”

“She’s only seen you a couple of times in her life. There’s no reason she would remember you,” Ava said pointedly.

“You don’t look like Daddy,” Maia said.

“Maia,” Ava said in a lightly scolding tone.

“That’s alright, Ava. I see she’s to the point like her mother.”

“Baby, why don’t you go in the kitchen and finish your ice cream?”

Maia nodded. “See you later, Uncle Angelo.” And then she was running back down the hallway towards the kitchen.

When they were alone, Angelo turned to her. “Seems I need to spend more time with my niece.”

“I don’t think so.”

“She’s my niece.”

“Your point?” Ava asked.

“Why are you acting like this? I would never hurt your daughter.”

“I don’t trust you, Angelo. You don’t know how to take a hint.”

Angelo grabbed her by the arms and jerked her to him. “Ava, I’m not going away. You might as well stop fighting me. Maia needs a father figure and you need a man to light a fire under you. It’s been too long.”

“If you don’t let her go, you’re about to be the one with a fire lit under you.”

Ava turned. Dominic stood a few feet away. A scowl was on his face. His eyes bored into Angelo.

“What the hell is this, Ava? What is he doing here?” Angelo yelled.

“Protecting me.” Ava jerked away from Angelo.

Dominic came to stand next to her. “Are you alright?” he asked.

“I’m fine.”

“Protecting you? From what?”

“From things that don’t concern you,” Ava said.

Angelo sneered. “Never thought I’d see you two together again. I’m not buying this protection business. Tell me what’s really going on?”

“It’s really none of your business,” Dominic said.

“That’s what you think?”

“Yeah.”

Dominic and Angelo stood toe to toe. Ava swallowed as she watched them engage in an old fashioned stare down. Neither man seemed prepared to give an inch.

“Ava will always be my business,” Angelo said.

“Not anymore. She has me to look after her.”

“You’re a boy. Ava needs a man.”

“She hasn’t had any complaints thus far.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?” Angelo asked.

“I think you know,” Dominic said with a smirk.

Angelo punched Dominic in the face. The next thing Ava knew, the two men were in an all out fist fight.

“Stop it. Both of you. Stop it.”

She grabbed Dominic’s arm trying to pull him and Angelo apart. Dominic looked at her and backed away as Angelo snuck in a sucker punch.

“That’s enough. What is wrong with you, Angelo?”

“You’re screwing him aren’t you?” Angelo asked through a split lip.

“What I am or am not doing is none of your business.” Ava said.

“You’re not denying it.”

“Angelo, somebody shot at me today and if Dominic hadn’t been there I would’ve likely been dead. So for now, I’m hiring him to be my bodyguard.”

“Someone shot at you? Why didn’t you come to me? Why do you never come to me?”

“You know why, Angelo.”

“Ava, he can’t protect you. Today was a lucky break. What if it happens again?”

“If it does, I’ll be right by her side. I’m not going to let anything happen to her. You have my word on that,” Dominic said.

“Your word means nothing to me, boy,” Angelo said to Dominic before turning back to Ava, “Please. Whatever he’s telling you, don’t believe it.”

Ava threw up her hands. “And what could he possibly be telling me?”

“He’s said something to get into your head. It’s not like you to be so reckless.”

“You know what, Angelo, I’ve listened to enough of this. It’s time for you to leave.”

“Ava, you need me. Whether you want to admit it or not, you need me.”

“No, I don’t.” Ava walked over to the front door and opened it. “Just go.”

Angelo glared at Dominic. “Fine. I’ll go, but if anything happens to her you’re going to wish you never crawled out of your mother’s twat.”

Dominic’s eyes burned and Ava feared their fight would erupt anew, but Dominic clenched his fists at his sides as Angelo walked to the front door.

“You’re going to regret this, Ava. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“The only thing I’m going to regret is being civil to you for as long as I have,” Ava shot back.

Angelo’s jaw clinched and then he left. Ava shut the door behind him and leaned her head against it.

“Ava, you okay?”

“No, I’m not. Why did you have to goad him like that?”

“Goad him?”

“Yes,” Ava said stomping over to Dominic, “You practically told him we were sleeping together.”

“And what if we are?”

“It’s nobody’s business. Especially Angelo’s.”

“And why is that?” Dominic asked, arms folded.

“Because as you see he gets territorial. He’s wanted me since Joseph and I were together.”

“I don’t care how he feels.”

“Really? That could be your uncle you just came to blows with.”

Dominic shrugged. “I don’t care. When it comes to you he needs to learn some boundaries. You don’t belong to him.”

Ava raised a brow. “And I suppose I belong to you?”

Dominic nodded his head. “Yes. You belong to me and the quicker you accept that, the easier this transition will be.”

“I’m glad you think this is going to be so easy.”

“Maia seems to like me and she’s a pretty awesome kid.”

“Yes she is, despite the circumstances.”

“No, because of the circumstances. You’re great with her.”

Ava swallowed. “Thank you. Sometimes I’m afraid I’m not doing enough.”

“A mother’s love covers everything,” Dominic said. He walked over to her and caressed the underside of her jaw.

“I hope so.”

“Trust me. I know.”

A throat was cleared behind them.

Ava looked around. Natalie stood in the hallway. Ava quickly stepped away from Dominic. “Natalie.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I heard things getting kind of loud as I came up so I went to the kitchen and sat with Maia. We’re going to the guesthouse for a little while,” Natalie said.