obsessed with his badass ex-wife

Chapter 18

Mario

I would never hurt a single hair on Natalie's head or that of my little sweet daughter. I have known since I arrived at the small town that Natalie was hiding her away from me.

She forgot how easy it is to read her like a book. Though it was not my intention to use our daughter as leverage against her. But she was being too stubborn and aggressive for no reason. I had to devise a means to bend her to my terms. She really has changed.

"Daddy, I weet ice-kreem." The little pumpkin whose name I learnt is Tessa pulled my hair back to reality.

“Okay, sweetie. Daddy is going to buy you ice cream." I cooed. This child might have been estranged from me for three years. But that's not going to stop me from being a good father to her.

I know Natalie have her reasons from keeping her away from me. But I am willing to forgive her if she accepts to come back with me to Italy.

Seeing the way she is being stubborn, that might take a long time. Plus, I still have a task to fufil here. And that is, finding the bastard that sent my brother six feet underground.

I drove down to the ice cream store five blocks away from Natalie's bar. They were about to close when I came in.

“Sorry, sir. We aren't selling at the moment..."

“But I wan ice-kreem," Tessa whined in protest. That caught the attention of the old lady over the counter.

“You want ice cream, baby girl? What flavor does she like?" the woman asked and that put me in a tight situation.

“Um..."

“Vanilla extract and add a scoop of mint chocolate in another cup." A familiar voice resonated behind me.

Her sweet cherry scent was all I needed to know she was the one.

“I thought you didn't want to be anywhere near me?" I teased as Natalie stood beside me.

“Don't get the wrong idea. The only reason I am here is because you are with my daughter. I won't let you take her from me." she reached out and snatched Tessa from my arm.

“Our daughter." I corrected.

“She is my daughter. I gave birth to her," she countered.

“I put her inside you. My sperm, my seed," I said with conceded arrogance. She gasped and quickly covered Tessa's ears while glaring at me.

“Ahm...um...are you still interested in the ice cream?" The old lady muttered awkwardly.

I totally forgot she was present. I passed my card to her and she slid it through the card machine then handed the ice creams over.

“Thank you and sorry about that," Natalie smiled awkwardly to the old lady before we stepped outside.

It was only when we were in the space of my car that I realized her face was flushed.

“Do you have a fever?" I questioned out of concern. But the glare she returned to me gave me the answer I needed.

“You are unbelievable." she sighed, unwrapping the ice cream we had bought for Tessa.

I glanced at her briefly, to be sure she was comfortable before starting the engine and driving onto the main road.

Tessa made a mess on Natalie's chest while eating her ice cream. She bubbled excitedly as she smeared more vanilla cream on her.

Natalie tried hard not to scream even though she was battling with the cold cream.

“Mummy smells so nice," Tessa beamed as she smeared more ice cream.

“Thanks to little cupcake, mummy is freezing vanilla." Tessa giggled at her mischievous act.

I chuckled focusing on the narrow road. The town's roads were built on cliffs and had little space from double driving. Though there were times I'd had to share road space with other vehicles thanks to my navigating skills.

However, it was a dangerous lane especially when I have an enemy to track down. Something unfortunate usually happens at times like this.

I won't let such happen not when Natalie and my daughter are with me.

By the time I arrived at my newly acquired mansion, Natalie and Tessa were already asleep.

I parked at the garage, carried Tessa onto my chest and stayed quiet until two hours later, Natalie woke up.

“What time is it?" she enquired, her voice raspy from sleep.

“Eleven forty."

“Oh my God, why didn't you wake me up?" she groaned, adjusting on the passenger seat.

“I didn't want to disturb you."

“That's not an excuse. You should have woken me up. Open the door," She said, pulling the door handle.

I pressed the unlock button on my side, letting her out of the car. She's rounded over through the front and came to take Tessa.

“No, need. I will carry her myself." I stepped out, closing the door behind me. She didn't argue and followed me behind.

Noticing she wasn't trying to keep up with me, I slowed down my steps and waited for her to fall beside me.

We climbed up the front stairs on silence until we got to the entrance.

“I will take her to my room." she carried Tessa out of my arms and went to the opposite direction.

I wanted to follow her but on a second thought, she would think I am being too clingy. I don't want her feeling uncomfortable around me. Though it is tempting to prick her skin and fill her with my presence. I still wanted her to feel safe and give her enough reason for us to get back together.

I admit, sending her away three years ago was stupid of me. I hurt her even when I knew she wanted to stay in my dangerous world.

But at that time, sending her away was the best option to protect her. I can't tell her the reason yet until I find out the bastard who killed my brother.

A screen lit up at the corner and I walked over to see Natalie's phone. She must have dropped it while climbing the stairs.

I picked it up and read the notification on the screen.

“You can't hide forever...watch your back because I am always watching from the shadows."

A frown formed on my face as I unlocked the phone with her password which I got access to after penetrating into her phone's system.

The message was sent by an unknown number. Someone was hunting my Sunshine. They better be ready to bleed.