Chapter 28
EVA
I never expected to feel safe in the Dante compound again. Never expected Adriano to forgive me and take me back. And yet, here I am, back in his bed, waking each morning next to him. I'm overcome with contradicting emotions—gratitude and shame.
Gratitude that he's chosen me. Despite everything I've done, despite not knowing the full extent of my betrayal, he's standing between me and everyone who wishes me harm.
But the guilt that I’ve not fully revealed my secrets weighs heavily. I’ve only shared what his father did, how his brother has put me back in the same situation I was in four years ago.
What’s interesting is that while Adriano asks me to share my secrets, he doesn’t push.
He doesn’t ask why his father distrusted me. It’s the next logical question, but he doesn’t ask it.
The only reason I can think of is that he doesn’t want to know the truth.
That he knows it will change things and he doesn’t want that.
The fact that he’d let me hide the truth because he wants me and what we lost filled me with hope that we’ll figure out how to make this work.
Of course, Alessandro is still distrustful of me.
Adriano spoke to him, told him to take his issues about me to him.
“What did he say?” I asked when Adriano told me this.
“He thinks I'm making a mistake. He told me I should focus on family loyalty instead of a woman who’s keeping secrets and has run from me… twice.”
I winced when he reminded me of that. "What did you tell him?"
“I am protecting family.” His answer felt like a gift, and yet, my guilt and fear of Alessandro keep me from fully embracing happiness with Adriano. Especially as I worry that his relationship with me will create a rift between him and Alessandro.
The good news is that Alessandro gives me a wide berth now.
Not that I don’t feel the frozen tundra emanating from him when we’re near each other, but he doesn’t say anything. Just a glare as he walks away.
The thing is, I can’t blame him. Alessandro's suspicion isn't misplaced. In fact, it's justified.
And if Adriano knew what I know, if he understood what I've done, he might look at me with the same contempt.
The Russians aren't just after me because I'm Adriano's woman or Mirabella's mother.
They want me because of what I did, who I was, what I know.
That's the truth that might finally destroy us all.
This morning, I wake up to cold sheets beside me.
Adriano has business early this morning.
Today, it’s just me and Mirabella for breakfast.
We’ve planned a fairy hunt and later plan to make cookies.
Her birthday is coming soon.
It’s time to start planning it.
This will be the first one with Adriano.
I shake my head and laugh as I think about the massive amount of money he’ll likely spend on a party and presents.
I dress and go to wake up Mirabella. “Rise and shine, little missy.”
She makes an ugh sound and burrows deeper into her blankets. I frown. That’s not usual. Usually, she bounces right up.
“Sweetie?” I nudge her again, noting how warm her skin feels. " Are you feeling okay?" I press my hand on her forehead, where she’s burning up.
"My head hurts, Mommy.”
“Let me get some medicine.” I retrieve the children's medicine I keep in my bathroom.
She takes it without complaint, another telltale sign that she’s sick.
If Mirabella is going to be stubborn and difficult, it’s usually over taking medicine.
“Rest up, sweetie.” I climb into bed with her to keep her company.
She sleeps, but two hours later, she’s still listless and her temperature hasn't dropped.
I try not to be a nervous mother, but this is concerning to me. She’s never not responded to medicine.
I find Sophia in the kitchen, arranging flowers. "I need a doctor for Mirabella. She's burning up and the medicine isn’t working.”
Sophia's expression shifts from concern to uncertainty. "I don't think that's possible, Ms. Santoro. Mr. Dante was very clear that you and Mirabella are to remain in the compound at all times."
Mr. Dante could be Adriano or Alessandro.
Either way, the staff isn’t going to defy them.
But neither will I let my child suffer, especially from an unknown illness.
"She's sick. Her fever is too high. She needs a doctor now."
"I'll speak with the guards," she offers, already backing away from me.
She returns with one of Adriano’s soldiers. I think he’s named Nico.
His face remains impassive as he assesses the situation. "We can arrange for a doctor to come here.”
"What kind of doctor?" I demand. "What are their qualifications? Their specialties?"
Nico’s eyebrow raises slightly. "He's good. He's the one we use."
"For what? Gunshot wounds? Stab wounds?" My voice rises as my desperation grows. "She's a three-year-old with a high fever. She needs a pediatrician, not a trauma surgeon."
He lifts his arms in surrender. “I’m sure he knows how to fix colds and flu.”
“When did you get your medical degree to know that’s what she has?” I snap.
His jaw tightens.
"Look, I understand the restrictions. I do. But this is Adriano's daughter we're talking about. His daughter."
Nico glances at Sophia, and I see the tug-of-war in both their minds.
No one who has seen Adriano with Mirabella would miss how much he loves her and how he’d go to the ends of the earth for her.
"You can send as many guards as you want to escort us," I continue. "They can be in the exam room with us. They can surround the entire building. I don't care. But Mirabella needs proper medical care from someone who specializes in children."
"Adriano would want the best care for his daughter," I say, delivering my final argument. "If anything happens to her because we waited or used the wrong doctor, how do you think he'll react?"
Nobody wants to face Adriano's wrath if something happens to Mirabella.
"Fine," Nico finally says. "But we do this our way. Four men minimum. No stopping anywhere else. Straight to the doctor and back."
Relief washes over me. "Thank you."
Twenty minutes later, we're in a black SUV heading toward the pediatric clinic.
I sit in the back seat, cradling Mirabella while two armed men sit beside us.
The other two are upfront with one driving.
Mirabella dozes fitfully against me, her small body radiating heat.
I press my lips to her forehead, whispering promises that she'll feel better soon, hoping that it’s true.
The pediatrician's office thankfully is able to get us in after a fifteen-minute wait.
I suspect saying that she’s Adriano Dante’s daughter helped speed things up.
In the exam room, Nico stands in the corner, eyes constantly scanning for threats, or perhaps making sure I don’t run, while trying to appear inconspicuous in this cheerful space decorated with cartoon animals.
Dr. Chen examines Mirabella while I hover anxiously nearby.
Her stethoscope moves across my daughter's back as Mirabella cries from how cold it is.
The doctor checks her nose, mouth, and ears as well.
"Ear infection," Dr. Chen diagnoses. "Not uncommon, but her fever is quite high. I'll prescribe antibiotics and something for the pain."
Relief washes through me. "Will she be okay?"
"With proper medication and rest, she should improve within forty-eight hours. Has she had many ear infections?”
“No.” The last one was when she was just eighteen months old.
“Here is a prescription. Make sure she gets water as well." She writes out the prescription while explaining dosages.
I catch Nico checking his watch. I’m not sure if he needs to be somewhere or he’s bored. Probably both.
"The pharmacy a block up can fill these immediately," Dr. Chen offers.
“We’ll arrange for them to be delivered,” Nico says.
I wrap Mirabella up in her blanket with her unicorn and we head out to the car. Nico walks ahead, scanning the parking lot as another guard flanks my right side and another behind. The fourth is in the car.
"We’re going home." I whisper into Mirabella's hair, relieved we have answers and shortly, a remedy to make her better.
A whistling sound whizzes past me, followed by a muffled thump. One of my guards drops to the ground.
“Fuck.” Nico spins, drawing his weapon. Three more shots ring out. The other guards jerk back, blood seeping from their chest or head.
“Get down.” Nico grabs me and Mirabella, shoving us behind a parked car.
I curl protectively around Mirabella, my heart racing with fear. She whimpers, startled by the commotion. Gunfire erupts from multiple directions. Nico returns fire along with our driver.
"Mommy?" Mirabella's frightened voice cuts through the chaos.
"Shh, baby. Close your eyes." I press her face against my neck, scanning desperately for an escape route.
I feel a presence before I see him. “Hello, Eva.”
I lunge sideways, but strong hands grip my arms, yanking me upright. I kick backward, connecting with something solid. My attacker grunts but doesn't release me.
“Don’t fight or you and your daughter are dead.” I see the gun, watch him point it at Mirabella.
He tugs me to a waiting car, practically tossing me and Mirabella in. Tires squeal as the car shoots away.
"Mommy?" Mirabella's terrified voice slices through my disorientation.
"It's okay, baby. Just stay quiet," I manage as I sit up and get my bearings.
"It’s been a while, Eva." Ivan Vasiliev looks over his shoulder from the front seat.
Panic surges. “What do you want?”
He shrugs. “Not much. Just information about the Dantes.”
“I don’t have information.” I hold Mirabella close, terrified that I can’t protect her.
Ivan points his gun at me. "Don't play games. You've been living with them for weeks. What are they planning?"
“They don’t trust me because of you. Alessandro would sooner put a bullet in my head than share family business with me." I look out the window to judge how fast we’re moving and whether I can open the car door and jump out with Mirabella without killing us both.
The truth is, I know almost nothing of their operations. Adriano keeps business separate from our fragile domestic life. Alessandro won’t even let me know what’s on the menu, much less business details.
But it occurs to me that Ivan thinking I can help him is the key to saving Mirabella.
“Let my daughter go. Send her back to the Dantes, and I'll tell you everything I know."
Ivan laughs, likes he’s entertained by me. "You're not in a position to negotiate. In fact…” He points the gun at Mirabella.
My heart stops as I turn my body to position myself between her and the gun. "Kill her, and you'll get nothing from me. I'll die before I give you what you want."
His smile is sinister. "Perhaps I start with small punishments. A finger, maybe? Children heal quickly."
"Hurt her, and I'll take whatever information I have to my grave. But send her safely back to her father, and I'll cooperate."
I hold my breath as Ivan deliberates. Time stretches, and I suspect he knows what he’s going to do. He’s just drawing it out to make me suffer.
"Children complicate things," he finally says. "They cry. They need medicine. They are inconvenient hostages."
God, has he kidnapped children before?
“We’ll drop her off at the Dante gate. It will be up to her to get inside.”
Relief crashes through me. “Sweetie. I’m taking you home. At the gate, you find one of the men to let you in, okay?” I’m glad we arranged for the delivery of the medicine. I’m positive Sophia will make sure Mirabella takes it.
She burrows into me.
"It's okay, baby.” I realize that this could be the last time I hold her. I have nothing of value to tell Ivan and when he figures that out, he’ll kill me.
"Be brave," I tell Mirabella as we approach the gate.
"Aren't you coming?" Her small voice breaks my heart.
"Soon," I lie, forcing a smile through tears. "I have to finish talking to these men first."
Her lip quivers. “Are they the bad men?”
I kiss her head. “I love you, baby. Never forget that, okay?”
We come to a screeching halt at least fifty yards from the Dante compound’s gate. Ivan exits the car, opens my door, and yanks Mirabella from my arms. She cries out, grasping for me.
My heart is wrenched from my chest. “It’s okay. Go to the house, baby. Go. Sunshine.” I say the secret word we haven’t practiced in ages. Does she even remember what it means? “Sunshine, Mirabella. Go.”
Ivan plops her on the side of the road. It will be up to her to make it to the gate.
“Go to the gate,” I yell out at her, pointing in the direction she needs to go.
Ivan jumps into the car next to me. “Go.”
The car makes a U-turn and then speeds back the way we came.
“Can I call the house and let them know she’s there? I won’t talk unless I know she’s safe.” I look out the window, watching Mirabella stand on the side of the street, crying, her arms outstretched toward me. The sight undoes me. With fear and rage, I strike out at Ivan.
“Mother fucker,” he yells as my fist catches him in the jaw. He retaliates, using his gun to strike me on the temple. Pain explodes behind my eyes, and I’m disoriented. “Fucking bitch.” He hits me again, and this time, the world goes black.