Dangerous Beauty: Part Two: A Mafia Princess by Michelle Hardin

arm, then wrapped her arms around his waist. “Hold me, Bubby,” she whispered.
    He brought her closer to him. She looked up at him and smiled. He leaned forward and kissed her softly while hugging her close. They remained on the floor, cuddling while speaking to each other softly. Carter felt safe and relaxed in her fiancé’s arms.
    She had been resting for only a moment before another person entered the living room.
    “Good afternoon, everyone.”
    Everyone in the room tensed visibly at the sound of the French-accented, female voice— everyone except Carter. She turned to her side on Nathan’s lap, and a sly smile appeared on her face.
    Don’t say it, Carter. She saved your and Nathan’s lives. Don’t be a bitch!
    But she was a bitch …
    “Oh, my! Anastacia Stone? In my living room?” Carter exclaimed, feigning awe.
    Shit! It’s okay. Just quit while you’re ahead.
    She didn’t stop.
    “Well, I personally like to call you ‘the mother I never knew’ … or ‘the bitch who abandoned me’, but those are just the little nicknames I like to use when talking about my mama,” Carter said with a little extra bite.
    Shit! That’s not what she had planned to say! Carter shrugged. Oh well, I guess we’ll just see what happens now.
    Anastacia’s soft chuckle filled the room.

5
Her Mother’s Daughter
    Anastacia entered the living room and set down a large purse. “You are very funny, my little Carterina,” she spoke in French. “I am ready for whatever you have for me. Call me what you want, I’m here to stay,” Anastacia said softly as she turned and locked eyes with Carter.
    Carter raised an eyebrow and met her mother’s stare head on. Here to stay? Yea, fucking right. “Are you now? Well, what if I don’t want you here?” Carter asked, speaking in French as well.
    Anastacia shrugged. “I didn’t expect sudden acceptance into your life, Carterina.”
    Carter snorted. “You needn’t expect
any
acceptance, Anastacia Stone,” she said dismissively. “I have no room nor desire for you to be in my life.” It may or may not have been a lie. Carter didn’t know what she wanted when it came to this woman. She still couldn’t believe she was here. Carter straightened her posture and became serious. “I appreciate what you did for me and my fiancé. You saved our lives, and for that I’m grateful,” she said genuinely. “But if you’re looking to ease your guilt for abandoning your only child—assuming I
am
your only child—or for not being there for me when I was seventeen years old and fatherless, then fine.” Carter shrugged tiredly. “Guilt lifted. You needn’t feel guilty that you weren’t present in my life before or after my father’s death. I can give you that much, but I can’t forgive you.”
    Anastacia’s jaw clenched, and she frowned as an unreadable emotion flashed through her eyes. “I am not here to ask you to lift any guilt I may feel, Carterina. I did not abandon you, and you are indeed my only child . . .”
    Carter’s mouth dropped open, and she drew in a deep, shaky breath as a wave of emotion suddenly hit her. “Didn’t abandon me?” Carter exclaimed in wounded outrage.
    “No, Carterina,” Anastacia said in a pained voice. “I could never abandon you. I was always there. I wish you could understand how I feel, but I know you can’t,” her voice shook with suppressed emotion. “You are my child, my baby. I know everything about you. I watched you grow. I love you . . .”
    “Stop,” Carter whispered in English. She didn’t want to hear more lest she be on the verge of doing something she shouldn’t do . . . couldn’t do . . . Or could she? She reminded herself that this was bullshit. This woman didn’t know her, didn’t love her, and would only abandon her again if she let her guard down. Carter needed to steel herself, and Anastacia needed to stop talking.
    But she didn’t stop.
    “I can’t stop.” She shook her head and her expression was