Page 71 of Mafia And Maid
“If I say no, you gonna do it anyway?”
“I. Want. His. Fucking. Head.” I repeat the words, leaning forward so my fists are braced on the desk. “With or without your permission.”
“Thought so. And her?”
“What about her?”
Marco shakes his head. “I’m not telling you not to do it. Just be careful, and for God’s sake, think it through before you do it.”
I drag a hand through my hair, disheveling the thick strands. I hate how I feel around Rosa. Weak and out of control.
And yet, it’s the most liberating feeling I’ve had in a long time.
I really don’t know if I should be taking relationship advice from Marco. After all, he got Juliana to marry him by kidnapping her after a bloody wedding. He’s always been impulsive and a maniac; however, even that was pretty unhinged for him. But striding to the door, I linger at the threshold, letting out a deep sigh. “Thanks, man.”
As he nods in reply, my thoughts are already turning to how I’m going to make Grayden Devlin pay for ever laying a finger on Rosa.
A grin stretches across my face at the thought—because I want him ruined in every sense of the word. I’m going to make a plan as soon as the opportunity arises. And he’s going to learn just what it means to fuck around with what’s mine...
CHAPTER 18
ROSA
“Is this…really necessary?”
I’m in the backseat of a black SUV driven by Alessio, with Marco in the passenger seat and Camillo sitting beside me. And as I look around us, I can see a convoy of half a dozen identical SUVs filled to the gills with their armed soldiers. And while I’m extremely grateful for their support, I can’t help worrying that I’m putting them to a huge amount of trouble.
“I’m not taking any risks when it comes to your son,” Camillo growls. He takes my hand and gives it a tender squeeze. “Ethan’s too important to take any chances,” he adds in a gentler voice.
We pull up outside Kori’s house. I’ve rung ahead to let her know that we’re on our way, so she’s expecting us despite the late hour.
Camillo and Marco accompany me to the front door, one either side of me. Their soldiers are keeping watch, eyes and weapons trained in every direction. Please God, can Kori’s neighbors all be asleep and no one look out their windows...
I ring the doorbell, and a few moments later, the door opens.
Kori, dressed in her pajamas, gives a slow whistle as she sees the SUVs lined up on the street and the armed men. Ethan is clinging to her leg, hiding as best he can until he sees me.
“Momma!”
My heart stutters as I scoop him up, plastering kisses to his face and forehead repeatedly as tears leak from my eyes. He’s whole. He’s untouched. He’s safe. Grayden hasn’t got to him yet.
“Thank you,” I say to Kori, still clutching Ethan in my arms. “I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you for what you’ve done for me.”
“As soon as I woke Ethan up with the news that you were coming to get him, he’s been so excited, but we’re going to miss him.” She squeezes me tight after she hands me Ethan’s backpack and stuffed bear. “If you need anything, call me. And keep in touch.”
“I will.”
“Nice to meet you.” Kori nods at the stoic statues of Camillo and Marco before we take our leave.
On the way back to the estate, Camillo rides in the front passenger seat, leaving Ethan to sit with me in the back.
My heart is in my mouth as we drive. Does Grayden know what we’re doing? Are his men in the shadows, watching and waiting to grab me and Ethan? Even with the Marchianos and their soldiers surrounding us, I can’t help thinking that this isn’t over.
During the drive, Ethan holds my hand and snuggles tightly into my side, not wanting to let me go, and I relish the feel of his tiny body against me.
When we get back to the mansion, I breathe a small sigh of relief. As the puff of air leaves me, the tension in my body starts to recede a little. This is happening. It’s actually happening.
I carry Ethan into the living room, and gently, I set him down, kneeling before him. “Are you okay? Did you eat? Are you tired?”