Page 95 of The Don
I’ve been strictly forbidden from going down there. I know exactly what happens in the shed. “I’m going to need your help, Rose.”
“Of course.” She leaps forward and offers me her body to assist me.
“I’m going to take that shower now, then we’re going to the shed.”
“No, not a good idea.” Rose is vehemently shaking her head. “Dominic will kick my ass, and Ruben…well just no.”
“I understand and I shouldn’t have asked you. I’m sorry.”
Rose eyes me, and knows I’m going to the shed, with or without her help. “It’s not a good idea, Eliza.” She lifts her hand and bites at her thumbnail.
“I know.” I take her hands in mine and squeeze. “But I have to do this, for me.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to live with yourself once you see whatever the fuck they’re doing to him?”
I pull my shoulders back and lift my head. “I need to do this for myself.”
Rose slowly closes her eyes and rubs at her temple. “I’ll help you,” she says in a small voice.
“Thank you.”
Adrian has to see that he may have treated me like a caged animal, but I’m still here.
“Miss Eliza,” Maria says.
“Maria.” I muster a smile as Rose and I head past the kitchen.
“You should be in bed. I made you some soup. Go back upstairs and I’ll bring you food.”
“I’ll be back soon for it.”
Maria frantically searches around the foyer. “Please, stay here. I’ll call Signore and let him know you’re awake.”
“I’ve already sent word,” Rose says.
“Please, you stay here,” Maria continues to plead.
“We’ll be back soon.”
Rose and I head out of the house and down toward the shed. “Are you sure? Because Dominic and Ruben are going to lose their shit,” Rose says.
I stop walking and turn to Rose. “You’ve done so much for me.” I wrap my arms around her neck. “But I can’t not do this.” My body is protesting in pain, but I’ll push all of that aside just so I can confront Adrian. He needs to see I’m not weak, and never have been. He may have broken and traumatized me, but I refuse to allow him to have control any more.
“No, I’m not going to let you do this on your own.”
“Thank you,” I say as we approach the shed. My heart is beating so fast, and I feel like I’m about to vomit because of the tension bubbling in my stomach. But, if I’m going to be able to move on from him, I have to do this.
The outside of the shed is surrounded by Ruben’s and Dominic’s men. Salvo is smoking and standing guard. When he sees us, he stubs out his cigarette and walks toward us from the shed. “Mrs. Sacco, you shouldn’t be here.”
“I want to see him,” I say as I straighten my shoulders and try to match his full height.
“Ma’am, that’s not going to happen. You need to head back to the main house.”
“Call Ruben,” I say, adamant.
“He’s busy.” Salvo is refusing to back down.
“I need to speak to Ruben.” I can be headstrong too. “Ruben assigned you to protect me, right?” He nods. “Has he asked you to keep him up to date with everything I do?” Salvo’s jaw tightens, but he nods again. “If you don’t tell him I want to speak to him, I’m going to walk down to the gates, and leave.”