Page 43 of Righteous Enforcer
Because I am hiding something. Something that would drive the final wedge between us if he ever discovered it.
I turn onto my side, watching Mirabella's peaceful face. For her, I would rebuild that bridge to Adriano.
But I know better than to hope.
Some betrayals can't be forgiven, no matter how justified they seemed at the time.
Some wounds never fully heal.
I might be in a secure compound, in a bed soft as a cloud, but I’m still in danger.
This time, I’m not chained up as the Bratva had me when they found me weeks ago, but I’m as caged as ever.
If… or perhaps it’s when the truth comes out, will I be handed back to the Bratva?
Will Adriano kill me himself?
After four years of hiding and running, I’m back where I started, facing my doom.
My only salvation is that Adriano will die before he lets anything happen to Mirabella.
11
ADRIANO
I stare at the ceiling, unable to sleep. The taste of her still lingers on my lips.
Fuck.
I tell myself it's just physical, memories of what we once had.
She said it herself, she’s a different person, and she sure as shit is because the woman I knew wouldn't have let me believe she was dead, wouldn't have kept my daughter from me.
I’m forced to consider that I never really knew her.
Alessandro's suspicions echo in my head.
Our father may have been a monster, but his instincts were rarely wrong.
If he suspected Eva of betrayal…
I’m a fool for having chased her thinking I’d find what we’d had four years ago.
Instead I found a woman who purposefully broke me, kept my child from me, and has more secrets she’s hiding.
I need to keep my anger and distrust of her close at hand if I’m to keep from falling under her spell again.
I wake the next morning after a restless night. Still pissed at all that’s transpired, I turn my focus into being a father. I think back to Luca when he learned he was Enzo’s father. For an unpredictable, volatile man, he fell into fatherhood seamlessly. Can I do the same?
I’m determined to protect Mirabella, no matter what Eva wants.
I’m going to start by getting to know her and making a place for her in my heart and in my home.
And if Alessandro gives me shit, well, maybe I’ll move to Chicago like Luca and Valentina.
I dress in jeans and a T-shirt, planning to take the day off.
Then I make my way to the kitchen for coffee.
