EJ's pov

I went straight upstairs to deal with Tony's little snot. I've already had enough of listening to my older brother boss me around, to last a lifetime. Now his bratty little daughter can bear the brunt of my wrath if she dares to mouth off to me. I'm honestly hoping she does as my hand is just itching to spank the git for getting me into so much trouble today.

Claire's bedroom door was partially open so I took the liberty of walking in uninvited.

"Why are you sitting on a pillow, weirdo?" I asked with concern, being the good benevolent uncle I am.

"AHH! You scared me, Uncle EJ," she yelped, turning to see me.

I just smirked in response.

"Well?" I questioned, gesturing once again to the pillow on her chair.

"If you must know, Mr. Nosy Pants, I'm sitting on a pillow cuz Dad spanked me and it still hurts," she sneered, sticking her tongue out at me.

"You deserved it, Miss Nosy Brat, for eavesdropping. In fact, your father sent me up here to spank you again for being such a little snoop."

"No he didn't," she replied with suspicion, nervously moving her hands to cover her bottom. "Why did he really send you up here?"

"I just told you. He also said if you argued with me, I should use my belt." I kept my voice stern and steady.

"He did not! You're lying?" she stated, with a bit more confidence.

"Wanna bet?" I narrowed my eyes as I took two steps closer to her.

"Uncle EJ, NO!" she shouted, jumping up off her chair and backing up against her desk, her hands never leaving her butt.

"Come here," I ordered sternly, motioning her to me with one finger.

"No," she whined, pouting like a little baby.

"Now!" I barked, snapping my fingers.

Slowly, she took a few steps closer. Once she was within reach, I grabbed her wrist with lightning speed and yanked her to stand flush with my hip. I slapped her ass hard, making her yelp in discomfort. My brother must have done a decent job warming her behind, judging by the way she jumped just now.

"Uncle EJ, stop," she groaned. "Why did Daddy tell you to spank me when he already did?" she questioned, whinily.

"He didn't," I said, smiling smugly. "Well, not exactly. He did say I could spank you if you gave me attitude though, so keep your mouth shut and listen. Va bene (Ok)?"

The dolt was about to answer, but when I raised my hand in warning, she wisely chose to nod her head instead.

"How much homework do you have left to complete?"

"Only a little, I'm almost done."

I smacked her on the butt.

"I said no talking."

"OW! That's not fair, Uncle EJ. How can I tell you my homework's almost done without talking?"

"Doesn't matter. I said no talking so that means you don't talk." I gave her bottom another quick swat, gaining some self-satisfaction watching her wince. She deserves some discomfort for causing me so much consternation. "Got it?"

She nodded in affirmation.

"Thanks to your stupidity, you will be joining your aunt and I next week as we cover the maids' vacations and perform their routine cleaning duties. Any questions?"

"Mmmfff," she forced out, through her tightly closed lips as she nodded vigorously.

"You may speak."

"Why are you and Aunt Lexie in trouble cuz I was eavesdropping?"

"Nevermind!" I snapped. "Just get your homework done and get to bed, otherwise you'll spend the week cleaning with a sore ass."

Three days later

Lexie's pov

It's become very clear to me over the past few days that my baby and I are not safe here. I think Luciano and I are going to disappear for a while, at least until the volatility of the situation calms down, anyway. I can't risk any harm coming to our unborn child. My brothers just don't understand how much Luciano and I love each other and how good we are together. Neither one of us wants to perpetuate this ridiculous feud between our families any longer. We just want to be happy and raise our baby together.

I'll finish out my week of penance by filling in for some of the cleaning staff as Anthony ordered and then Luciano and I can leave next weekend. I don't want to piss my older brother off any more than necessary so that's why I won't skip out on the punishment he doled out to me and our little brother. I'm honestly kind of enjoying seeing EJ suffer through this. I never would've been able to picture him making beds, vacuuming, or doing laundry no matter how hard I tried before this punishment took effect. Seeing truly is believing. I am definitely going to need some photographic evidence to keep as proof though, and possibly to use as blackmail material in the future. You never know when it might come in handy.

My biggest problem now, aside from protecting my fiance and baby, is deciding how and when I'm going to break the news to Claire about me going away. I have to come up with a plan before too long. I can't just spring it on her at the last minute. She's not going to be happy about it so I need to break it to her gently, or at the very least, butter her up beforehand. I think I know just how to accomplish that too.

Claire was done with her online schooling so she was helping me make the beds. EJ was fortunate enough to get out of cleaning detail this afternoon since he had business to attend to. Sometimes I wish I had the excuse of having to work to get out of unpleasant tasks too. No matter, EJ got sentenced to an extra week by our older brother for mouthing off, so I can't really complain about him missing one afternoon.

I've been studying to take my equivalency exams so I can get licensed to practice medicine here. I probably would have taken them already if I hadn't gotten pregnant, but since I did, I figured there's no rush. I'll want to spend a lot of time at home with the baby, at least the first six months or so before returning to work, plus Luciano's not so keen on me having a job to begin with. He claims there's no need for me to work because he's more than capable of supporting me and our baby. I honestly miss working at the hospital. I love being a physician, taking care of patients and teaching the residents, not to mention gossiping with all my coworkers. I secretly miss that the most. That hospital could've been the setting for a soap opera, I swear, with all the drama that went on there amongst the staff and patients on a daily basis, so juicy.

That brings me to my plan for how I'm going to offer up a peace offering to my niece so she won't be too upset about me being gone for the next few weeks.

"How would you like to come with me this weekend when I go visit Victoria?" I casually asked Claire, as she fluffed the pillows.

Freezing mid-fluff, she looked at me with her mouth agape.

"You're not kidding are you? Cuz that would be really mean, Aunt Lexie," she said, eyeing me carefully.

"No, bambina (baby girl), I'm not kidding," I replied, chuckling at her reaction. "Victoria's going to invite Mrs. Lombardo and her sons Sergio, Alex, and Dante as well. So, what do you think? Sound good?"

"Good?" she scoffed in disbelief. "It sounds GREAT!" Claire suddenly stopped adjusting the comforter as her smile faded, being replaced with a crestfallen look on her face.

"Cosa c'è che non va, mia nipote (What's wrong, my niece)? Why so sad all of a sudden?"

"Uncle EJ and Dad are never gonna let me go with you," she sulked. "Especially not since I got in trouble for eavesdropping. They'll probably say I'm grounded," she pouted dejectedly.

"What if I told you I've already cleared it with your father and he said you could come with me, as long as you behave this week?" I asked, smiling slyly. Truth is, Tony has no idea but I'll worry about that later.

"OMG! Aunt Lexie, you're the best. I love you," she shouted, rushing me in a hug. Pulling away quickly, she apologized, "I'm sorry, Aunt Lexie. I didn't hurt the baby did I?"

"No, honey, the baby's fine," I replied, snuggling her against my side. "Now the real question is, do you think you can stay out of trouble until Sunday?" I asked, gently patting her bottom.

"I'll try my best, Aunt Lexie. I should be fine as long as I stay away from Uncle EJ."

"I think you're going to need a plan b, sweetheart," I said, giggling right along with my niece as we finished making the last bed.

Sunday afternoon

Well Claire managed to stay on her uncle's good side and out of trouble for the most part, so we're on our way to Victoria's. Claire's really excited to spend some time with her best friend Samantha and her crush Dante and his brother as well. Sergio and Chris are going to joyride on their Ducatis and no doubt get into trouble with the Polizia Stradale. Claire, Samantha, Alex and Dante are going to hang out, play soccer and do some horseback riding, and the ladies and I are going to eat, drink, and be merry. I'm looking forward to an afternoon of good food and girl talk. Whenever Victoria and I get together with her friend Carlina we're guaranteed to have a great time. We eat too much, drink too much, and gossip like crazy. Of course I won't be drinking any alcohol today but I'll still be enjoying swapping secrets with the girls.

Little did I know how loose Carlina's lips would become as she consumed my share of wine in addition to hers. The secret she let slip could save me from having to go into hiding to protect my baby and fiance, or it could ruin my niece's life.