Page 32 of Righteous Enforcer
"Look at her," Adriano counters, gesturing toward my bruised face, my bandaged arms. "Does she look like someone who's in with Ivan? She's been running for her life."
I want to speak for myself, but experience has taught me when to stay quiet among Dante men making decisions. One wrong word could tip the scales against me.
Alessandro approaches me. "If Ivan wants her this badly, she must know something valuable. Something we could use to end him."
I don’t respond.
“We won’t know what Ivan wants with her if we toss her out,” Adriano argues.
A flicker of interest crosses Alessandro's face, the Don in him seeing the strategic advantage I represent.
"Fine," he says finally, turning to Adriano. "She stays. For now. But she's watched at all times. I won't have another betrayal under my roof."
"Understood," Adriano replies.
Alessandro steps closer to me, towering and intimidating. "You've been keeping secrets all this time, Eva. I'm not as quick to trust as my brother. One wrong move, one hint that you're playing us, and not even Adriano will be able to protect you. Are we clear?"
I meet his gaze, unflinching. "Crystal."
Adriano carries Mirabella upstairs as he escorts me to my room.
“You can have this room and Mirabella can?—”
“She’ll stay with me.”
“No one is going to hurt her?—”
“She’s in a new place where she knows no one. She stays with me.”
He nods and pushes open a door to a room that the moment I see it, I remember was Adriano’s sister, Valentina’s.
It’s decorated in dove grays and ornate silver accents.
It makes me think of a room in a palace.
“Will this work for tonight? There’s a full bath there.” Adriano points toward the other side of the room.
“This is fine.” So much better than the dumps we’ve stayed in since we escaped from Ivan’s men.
Adriano pulls back the comforter and sheet, and I lay Mirabella down, smoothing her dark curls away from her forehead.
Her eyelids flutter closed as sleep takes her away again.
Poor baby.
She's been through so much these past few weeks—these past years, really.
Children should have stability, safety.
I've failed to give her any of that.
"Mommy?" she murmurs, barely conscious.
"I'm here. Sleep now." I press a kiss to her temple and tuck the blanket around her small body.
She's asleep before I even straighten up.
I can feel Adriano at the door, watching us. I imagined him learning about Mirabella a million times but never thought it would be like this.
