Page 27 of Righteous Enforcer
When the iron gates of the Dante estate come into view, Eva flinches.
The sprawling compound hasn't changed.
It’s still a fortress, even more so after the Bratva got in and tried to kill Katerina and Luca last year.
To the outside eye, though, it looks like a regular mansion.
I pull up to the gate and stop as guards step out. “Hey, Joey. Taking her to see the Don.”
“Sure thing, Mr. Dante.” Joey nods to another guard who opens the gate.
"Please," she says, her voice filled with dread. "Not the Don."
"He needs to know you're alive." I pause, studying her, not understanding her fear. "And why the Bratva wants you badly enough to risk war with us."
The gates open and I drive through. When I park, she doesn't move.
"Out," I command, opening her door.
She hesitates but then exits, her body moving like an old person as she holds on to the car.
“Let me help you?—”
“I need to get Mirabella.”
“I’ll get her.” The soft part of me that I thought was gone works its way up, making me consider getting her to a bedroom so she can rest. She’s hurt and exhausted.
But I know Alessandro would be pissed if I didn’t bring her to him first.
And I don’t want to be soft.
Not for the woman who left me without a word.
Eva limps beside me, leaning on my arm while I carry Mirabella, who's fallen back asleep.
The weight of the child against my chest stirs more softness, as well as jealousy.
This, carrying a sleepy child into our home with Eva at my side, should have been mine. I harden my expression, burying the thought.
"Sir," one of the guards addresses me at the entrance.
“Tony, is he in his office?”
“Yes, sir.”
Eva freezes against me. "Adriano, please?—"
"It's not negotiable.” I guide her forward, fighting the urge to comfort her like I once would have.
I push open the door to Alessandro’s office without knocking.
Alessandro sits where our father once did, paperwork spread across the desk, his eyes lifting at our entrance.
Eva stumbles beside me, her body going completely rigid.
The color drains from her face as she stares at my brother. "You're… not Don Dante.”
Alessandro's expression hardens as he takes in Eva and the sleeping child in my arms. His gaze flicks to me, questioning and wary.
