Page 155 of Mafia And Maid
“I’ve got to get going to work, buddy.” It’s a lie, but I say it for Rosa’s sake. Whatever Reagan is throwing a fit over is making the atmosphere awkward for everyone.
Ethan hugs me tightly, and I hate the emptiness crawling into my chest when I let go of him.When the hell did this tiny person manage to sneak inside my heart and wrap himself around my emotions?
I follow Rosa silently until we’re at the front door.
“Thank you, Camillo,” she says softly.
I tilt her chin up toward me. “Anytime. If you need anything, you call me. I don’t care if it’s 3 a.m. and pouring rain. Call me.” That small smile I haven’t seen since I arrived fills her face. I press my lips to her forehead. “Are you going to be safe here?” Despite my top men monitoring the Davis residence every single second of the day, it’s still weighing on me. “What if Grayden shows up and tries to do something, but I’m fucking across town?”
“We have private security as well as your men watching the place. My father had a falling out with Grayden which led to Grayden punching him and fracturing his cheekbone, so the security guards have been instructed not to let him anywhere near the mansion or our family.”
“You’re sure?”
“My father was the one who’d have sent me back to Grayden, so I’ll be okay here.”
I pull her closer to me, burying my nose into her hair. She might not have that rose scent that drives me wild, but she’s still mine.I hope.
I tighten my hold on her and close my eyes. I don’t want to fucking do this. Leaving her feels like ripping out my heart and losing a limb all at the same time. But it has to happen.
I step back, watching her eyes rim with tears. Without thinking, my thumb brushes against the apple of her cheek. “I’m a phone call away.”
“I know. Oh, I almost forgot. My wages came into my bank account this morning. And I’m very grateful for it and everything else, but…well, I don’t need your family to pay me anymore. My father left me some money.”
I should be ecstatic that she’s finally realized she’s not just the maid to me—or to my brothers. She’s part of our family. And she’s beenthat since I kissed her that first time. But the money from her father means that she and Ethan can start afresh somewhere if that’s what they want… And I’m left numb as the realization hits me.
I stare down at her. Of course, she wouldn’t want to stay in Chicago. Now that she has the means to get away from Grayden for good, she’ll take it. I should be happy. A better man would be. I should be supportive, but the ability to breathe is getting harder and harder.
“Rosa!”
Her head jerks in the direction of her name. “I have to go. I’ll call you tonight, okay?”
Somehow, I manage to nod. And watching her as she hurries away, I claw at the top button of my dress shirt as if unbuttoning it will allow me to take a full breath. Fuck. The world tilts on its axis, and I struggle to get air into my lungs. They just won’t expand. I can’t imagine my life without her and Ethan in it. Fuck. Fuck.Fuck.
I stumble toward my car. The moment I slip into the driver’s seat, my phone rings, but I don’t look at the name on the screen before I ignore it. I’m needed at the casino or warehouse, but the thought of going to either of those places only makes me want to hurl. Turning out from the driveway, I ignore where I’m needed, and instead, I head in the completely opposite direction.
CHAPTER 39
CAMILLO
“Where the fuck have you been?”
I drop my bag on the floor. Two days ago, I left the gym, but I was no calmer than when I entered it, so I found another outlet for my anger.
“You didn’t fucking answer your phone,” Marco carries on. “And you didn’t show up at the casino last night.” He’s looming in front of me, eyes narrowed.
“I needed to blow off some steam.”
“And you couldn’t be bothered to let anyone fucking know? We thought…”
My brow scrunches. The look on Marco’s face is foreign. His brow is etched with lines, and he looks like he hasn’t slept in a few days given the bags under his eyes. He’s worried. The expression knocks some of the frothing rage from me. “What happened, Marco?”
“Someone hit the warehouse. We thought—”
“What the hell is wrong with you!” Alessio storms into the lounge, murder in his gaze as he heads toward me. Behind him, Cate and Juliana and the kids follow, worry etched into their faces.
My heart clenches.Shit.
“Office. Now.” Marco’s expression is fierce.