Page 107 of Righteous Enforcer
My gaze returns to Adriano and Mirabella. The sight of them together makes my decision both impossibly hard and crystal clear.
I have to tell Adriano everything. Now. Before someone else does.
Before they come for me.
Before I lose them both forever.
I stand, my legs unsteady as I make my way to the back door.
"Mommy, look!" Mirabella holds her hands out to show me the castle she and Adriano have built. “It’s for a fairy princess and this is where her dragon lives.”
"It's beautiful, sweetheart," I manage.
Adriano's eyes meet mine over our daughter's head. “Everything alright?” He must have seen Alessandro talking to me.
“The same. I need to talk to you.”
"Later," he says, glancing meaningfully at Mirabella.
I nod, understanding but screaming inside. There might not be a later. Not if Alessandro makes that call.
Will Adriano even care? After all, he’ll have Mirabella, which is all he really wants now.
A profound feeling of emptiness overtakes me. I am utterly alone in a house full of people.
My past choices have led me here, I know that. But it’s not like this is what I wanted. I know I made choices, but they didn’t feellike choices. Could I really be blamed for wanting to protect my father? For running when my life was threatened?
I stand at another crossroads, and this time, there is still no good choice.
Tell Adriano everything and watch his resentment turn to hatred?
Keep silent and risk Alessandro trading me to the Bratva?
Try running again, knowing we'd never get far? No, I’d have to leave Mirabella behind. That seems to be my only choice.
My gaze falls on Mirabella. She deserves better than this life of secrets and fear I've given her. Perhaps she’d be better off without me.
Whether I confess or am betrayed, whether I stay or run, one thing is clear.
I will protect my daughter, even if it means sacrificing myself.
27
ADRIANO
I can't shake what I just witnessed between Alessandro and Eva. Something about their exchange left Eva pale.
She's scared—genuinely scared.
I hate Alessandro butting into my business, but I also know, as Don, it’s his job to look out for the family and he doesn’t trust her.
When she asks to talk, I’m wondering if she’s ready to come clean.
Part of me wants to drop everything and hear what she has to say.
Another part fears what I might learn.
So I told her we can talk later. My focus is on Mirabella. Eva lost her rights to have quick access to me when she not only ran, but she also took Mirabella with her.
