Page 47 of Righteous Enforcer
The fact that I can see in her eyes calculations on when and how to escape tells me that she’s still hiding something.
Otherwise, wouldn’t she be happy to be safe under Dante protection?
I want to grill her now about what's been going on, but my priority now is Mirabella.
"Do you want to see a surprise?" I ask Mirabella.
"What kind of surprise?"
I rise and hold out my hand, unsure whether she'll take it. But after a moment's hesitation, her tiny fingers slip into mine.
"I have a room for you. Your very own space." I lead her next door, Eva following close behind us. When I open the door to the empty guest room, Mirabella looks around.
“Where are the toys?”
"It doesn't have anything yet," I explain, crouching down to her level. "That's because I want you to tell me what you like. This room can be anything you want it to be."
Her eyes widen. "Anything?"
"Anything. What do you like best in the world?"
She twists slightly, suddenly shy. "Fairies.”
"Fairies?" I repeat, and she nods with growing enthusiasm.
"They're magic and they have wings and they live in flowers," she explains, her hands moving as she speaks. "And they can hide."
That last line breaks me a little bit. My resentment for Eva grows that she'd put her child—our child—in such danger.
"Then we'll make a fairy kingdom," I declare. "With lights like stars and flowers on the walls."
Her face lights up with a smile that I feel from the inside out. At that moment, I know I would burn the world to ashes to protect this child.
"Fairies are lovely, but what we need are clothes. Everything we own was left behind when we ran,” Eva says.
The thought of Eva and my daughter with nothing but the clothes on their backs sends another arc of anger, although I’m unclear at whom.
The Bratva for forcing them to run with nothing?
Eva for not trusting me?
Myself, who should have found her sooner and protected her and Mirabella.
"I'll arrange for you to go shopping today. Whatever you need, it's covered.”
"Thank you."
“But Mirabella stays with me.” I swear I can see the wheels turning in Eva’s mind, plotting her escape.
"Adriano—"
"It's not negotiable, Eva. I've missed three years. I'm not missing another minute."
Eva's eyes flash with fire. "You think I'll run."
It's not a question. We both know the answer.
"Can you blame me? Running seems to be your specialty."
