Page 67 of Righteous Enforcer
Despite her desire to run, she hasn’t called anyone.
Hasn’t done anything suspicious.
Nothing that suggests she's attempting to contact the Bratva.
No Bratva attempt to contact her.
Alessandro insisted on surveillance, but I’m the one checking logs of calls and deliveries.
I want to feel relief that so far, she hasn’t reached out to anyone.
But her secrets worry me.
"You're thinking too loudly," Eva says, wiping strawberry juice from Mirabella's chin.
"Just enjoying the view," I lie, forcing my face to relax.
Alessandro’s man shifts again.
Eva's eyes track the movement before returning to Mirabella.
Her hyperawareness tells me she’s on guard.
It’s not just residual from being on the run.
She knows Alessandro doesn’t trust her.
Mirabella wanders down near the water as Eva and I feast on cheese, French bread, and champagne.
"Daddy, look!" Mirabella holds up her fairy doll, now adorned with a crown of clover blossoms. "She's the fairy queen now."
I lean forward to inspect her handiwork. "The most beautiful queen I've ever seen."
We eat and play, and when Mirabella yawns, I pull out an old book I found that had been my sister Valentina’s when she was a child.
Mirabella lies on her stomach looking at the pictures of princesses.
And as happens most times when I look at her, I’m filled with awe and pride.
I lean back against the tree trunk, savoring this moment.
For the first time in years, I feel calm, settled.
All thanks to Eva.
"What?" Eva catches me watching her.
"Nothing.” But that’s not true because this… whatever it is… is everything.
Mirabella scrambles up suddenly. "I'm gonna find more flowers for Queen Cristalbell!"
"Stay where we can see you," Eva calls as our daughter scampers a few yards away, her fairy doll clutched tightly in one hand.
The moment she's distracted, I slide closer to Eva. "Thank you."
"For what?" Her eyes meet mine.
"For her. For this." I gesture between us. "For coming home with me and staying."
