Page 90 of Saved By A God
Christ, that’s why she was so fucking overworked from all the hacking attempts.
“Then Danil shot a man to show me what would happen if I didn’t work or tried to contact the family. I didn’t respond the way he wanted me to, and they grabbed Tim, which made me try to attack Danil. To punish me, he killed four more people.”
Knowing the kind of trauma Rosie must’ve lived through, my heart cracks wide fucking open. I close my eyes and turn deeper into her while pushing my hand into her hair.
“By the time you all came to rescue me, they had killed sixteen people and replaced them with new ones. It was like an endless mill of people being forced through the bowels of hell.”
My tone is unrecognizable with anger and pain as I say, “I’m so fucking sorry,bella mia.”
“Then they kept me locked in the cell for a whole month.” Her voice cracks, and the blow to my fucking soul is so damaging it will never heal. “It felt like I was losing my mind, and then when they finally let me out, it was to show me the footage of my funeral, and I saw you...” A sob bursts from her, the sound raw and filled with devastation. “I saw you, and my parents, and Gianna, and everyone, and your hands…”
Rosie loses it so badly, she struggles to get breaths past the sobs, and I quickly pull her upright. Grabbing the sides of her head, I force her to look at me, and all the trauma I see in her eyes sends a destructive surge of agony through me.
“Shh…shh… I’m here.” Not thinking, I press a kiss to the corner of her mouth, the urge to breathe for her overwhelming me. “Deeper breaths, Rosie.”
Suddenly, my phone buzzes, the specific sound telling me we have visitors.
“Fuck!” I rip the device out of my pocket, and seeing Uncle Dario and Aunt Eden on the camera, I say, “Your parents are here. Should I ask them to come back later?”
Rosie shakes her head while taking shuddering breaths. “I’ll be… fine in a m-minute. Let t-them up… while I wash m-my face.”
Christ, seeing her like this is fucking brutal.
After getting up, I grip Rosie by the back of her neck and press a kiss to her forehead. “Take your time. I’ll keep them busy.”
She nods, and as she goes upstairs, I key in the code to let her parents come up.
When the elevator doors open and Uncle Dario and Aunt Eden step into the foyer, their eyes sweep over the place, searching for Rosie.
“She just woke from a nap and went to the restroom,” I explain.
“Oh no! Did we wake her?” Aunt Eden asks while Uncle Dario carries a massive candy stash to my kitchen.
I shake my head. “No.”
“How is she?” Uncle Dario asks as he comes toward me.
“Exhausted and emotional,” I answer vaguely, not sure what Rosie would be comfortable sharing with her parents, and I’m not about to break her trust in me.
Suddenly, Uncle Dario hauls me into a hug. “Thank you for stepping up and being the man she needs.”
“I’ll do anything for her,” I reply as I pat his back. When he lets go, I mention, “Once she’s better, I’m going to offer to take over being her underboss.”
Uncle Dario’s lips part as shock ripples over his face. “And what does Christiano think about that?”
“It doesn’t matter what he thinks,” I answer honestly. “Rosie comes first before everyone and everything.”
“Christ, Enzo.” Again, I’m hauled into a hug while Aunt Eden brushes her hand up and down my arm. “Thank you for giving us the peace of mind, knowing you will be there in the future.”
“I’ll guard her with my life,” I vow.
Uncle Dario pulls back to lock eyes with me. “Your father might not like this.”
“I’ll deal with my family. Don’t worry about it.” I gesture at the living room. “Take a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?”
Aunt Eden gives me an affectionate smile. “No, thanks, but it’s so sweet of you to offer.”
Just as we reach the couches, Rosie comes down the stairs with a huge smile on her face. I actually do a double take when she says, “Be careful. I’m going to get used to all the attention.”
