Page 24 of Righteous Enforcer
As I watch him across the table, I want nothing more than to reach across and touch his face.
To tell him everything.
To trust that he could understand why I did what I did.
But I can't risk it.
Not when Mirabella's safety hangs in the balance.
Not when the truth would destroy whatever remnants of his feelings for me still exist.
We exit the café.
Adriano's hand rests at the small of my back, not quite restraining but clearly guiding.
His touch burns through my shirt, and I nearly moan in frustration that I can’t lean into him, back into his comfort and protection.
"My car's this way," he says, nodding toward a sleek black sedan.
My muscles tense as I calculate where and how I could get me and Mirabella away from him.
Or maybe I should leave her with him and run on my own.
The Bratva wants me, not her.
And Adriano would keep her safe even without knowing the truth about her, wouldn’t he?
Adriano's fingers tighten slightly against my back. "Don't," he murmurs against my ear. "Don’t even think of running away from me."
I stop walking, forcing him to halt beside me. Mirabella looks up, trying to assess what’s going on.
“You can’t tell me what to?—”
"Is this the life you really want for her?" He gestures to Mirabella. "Always looking over your shoulder?"
His words hit exactly as intended.
How often am I consumed by guilt that my three-year-old knows more about escape routes than playgrounds?
That she's learned to stay quiet when strangers approach, to hide at the first sign of danger?
"Going with you doesn't solve anything. It makes everything more complicated."
"More complicated than this?" He gestures to my bandaged arms, the bruise darkening on my cheek. "Than having your daughter witness men trying to kill her mother?"
Mirabella presses her face against my leg, and the vulnerability in that gesture nearly breaks me.
She deserves better than this.
"I can protect you both,” he continues. “No one touches what belongs to a Dante."
I bristle at his phrasing. "We don't belong to anyone."
“Fucking hell?—”
Mirabella’s eyes widen as she sinks closer to me.
Adriano looks down at her, giving her a wan smile. “Sorry. Your mother is infuriating.” He glances up at me. "I can protect you,” he says again.
