Page 68 of Righteous Enforcer
When I brush my lips against hers, she stiffens momentarily before melting against me. The kiss is soft, a coaxing to help her relax and believe in me.
"Adriano…" There’s a warning in her tone, but I’m not sure if it’s because of Mirabella or the guard.
But I don’t give a shit if anyone sees me kissing Eva. So I steal another kiss, deeper this time. Alessandro’s goon can watch allhe wants. Let him report back to Alessandro that I'm falling for her again. It's already too late.
When we part, I brush my thumb across her lower lip, feeling her breath catch.
"We could be this," I tell her, my voice low and fierce. "Always."
She looks down, and evasiveness feels like a punch to the gut. “Do you really think we can have what we had before?”
“We almost already do.”
“Except Alessandro.” She glances over at the soldier assigned to keep track of her.
“You want to move? We’ll move.” I don’t know what’s coming over me. It’s safer for all of us to stay in the compound. But if Eva’s worries are tied to Alessandro’s mistrust, then I’ll deal with it by separating the two.
Her eyes are wide. “You’d do that?”
“Eva, when are you going to understand that I’ll do anything for you and Mirabella?”
This time, she kisses me, and it feels like a win. Like I’m one step closer to gaining everything that I’ve lost. That Eva and Mirabella will be mine. Permanently.
Despite Alessandro's suspicions, despite the Russians hunting her, despite whatever she's still hiding, they are mine.
And heaven help anyone who tries to take them away from me.
16
EVA
Over the next few days, I watch Adriano and Mirabella together with a sense of awe at how gentle he can be, at how quickly she took to him.
He teaches her to build a tower of blocks and then with a giggle she knocks them down. He listens to her with total focus as she rambles about fairies.
At breakfast, he cuts her pancakes into perfect little triangles, just the way she likes them.
When she falls asleep against his chest during movie night, his protective arm wrapped around her, I catch him studying her face with wonder.
These moments feel like glimpses into what could have been, what should have been, if I hadn't been forced to run.
The life we were meant to have.
I'm terrified of loving this life we've created.
Terrified because I know how quickly it could shatter if the truth comes out.
It keeps me from fully embracing Adriano and us as a family.
I’m walking on the same dangerous edge that I walked four years ago, except now it’s Alessandro who threatens to expose me.
Who I have no doubt will kill me.
It’s these thoughts that keep me up at night instead of savoring the warmth of Adriano’s body as he sleeps next to me.
Giving up, I slip out from under his arm, careful not to wake him.
I slip my robe on and exit the room.
