Page 100 of Righteous Enforcer
Back to a world where Ivan can find me. Back to the place where my secrets will eventually come to light.
But I'll be with my daughter.
I'll see her smile every morning.
For that chance, I'll face whatever waits for us in New York.
25
ADRIANO
I watch Eva's face as I gather Mirabella's few belongings, the girl still sleeping peacefully.
Normally, I don't mind being the villain in someone's story when they've earned it. I've made men beg for death before they received it.
I've broken bones without blinking. I've been the monster parents warn their children about.
And Eva?
She deserves every bit of my rage.
She let me believe she was dead, raised my daughter without me.
Then, when I finally found her, she ran again, taking Mirabella from me a second time.
So why does it feel like I'm being gutted when I see the fear in her eyes?
I shouldn't care.
I should be immune to her tears, to the way her hands shake as she helps me pack our daughter's clothes.
I've hardened my heart against enemies far more formidable than this woman.
Yet something about Eva Santoro still seeps into my soul, finds the places I thought were dead, and makes them live again. Even knowing what she's done, what she might still be hiding, I want to protect her. To keep her safe.
I wish I could stop caring. It would be easier to hate her.
To protect myself, I do my best to avoid her. Don’t look at her. Don’t talk to her. I put all my focus on Mirabella.
“Hey, little fairy,” I say, gently waking my child.
Her eyes flutter open. When they see me, they alight with a sparkle that makes my heart soar.
“Daddy!” She throws her arms around me. It adds to the resentment that Eva would even think to take this from us.
“Let’s go home, okay?”
“Really?” She looks to Eva over my shoulder. “Can we, Mommy?”
“Of course we can,” I reply. Eva has no say in Mirabella’s life anymore.
With little to pack, we’re in the car and on the way to the airport in less than ten minutes.
I don't spare Eva a glance as we board the private jet. Marco keeps a watchful eye on her while I carry Mirabella, who's still groggy from being woken in the middle of the night.
She perks up when I sit down with her in my lap on the plane. "Is this your airplane, Daddy?" Her fingers press against the window looking out on the darkened tarmac.
"It belongs to the family," I answer. "Have you ever flown before?"
