Page 9 of Devil’s Embrace (31 Days of Trick or Treat: Biker & Mobster #10)

She sat halfway down the table on a cushion that boosted her up to reach properly.

Someone had brushed her blonde hair neatly and pulled it back with a purple ribbon that matched her clean unicorn costume.

Someone had washed it. Knowing Mina, she’d probably refused to wear anything else.

In front of her was a plate of pancakes cut into the shape of unicorns, with strawberries for eyes and whipped cream manes.

"Mina!" My voice broke on her name.

Her head snapped up, blue eyes widening. "Mama!" She scrambled off her chair, nearly knocking it over in her haste to reach me.

I dropped to my knees as she ran to me, wrapping her in an embrace so tight I feared I might hurt her.

The feel of her small body against mine unlocked something in my chest—a sob of relief I couldn't contain.

I pulled back just enough to run my hands over her arms, her face, checking for injuries, reassuring myself she was truly unharmed.

"Are you okay, sweet pea? Did they hurt you?" I brushed her hair back from her forehead.

"I'm okay, Mama." She smiled, wiping at the tears on my cheeks with her small fingers. "Look, they made me unicorn pancakes! And Mr. Luca has a swimming pool!"

The casual way she said his name sent ice through my veins. I forced myself to smile, keeping my voice light. "Does he now? That's... that's nice, baby."

"Are you two joining us for breakfast?" Luca asked from behind me. "The pancakes are getting cold."

I stood, keeping Mina's hand firmly in mine. "Yes, we're hungry, aren't we, sweet pea?"

Mina nodded enthusiastically. "And Mr. Luca said I could have chocolate milk!"

"Let's get you back to your seat then." I guided her back to the table. I took the chair beside her, positioning myself between her and Luca, who sat at the head of the table.

A server appeared silently, placing a plate of pancakes and fresh fruit in front of me, along with a cup of coffee that smelled heavenly. My stomach twisted with hunger even as my mind rebelled at accepting anything from these people.

"Mama, look! Mine look like unicorns!" Mina pointed excitedly at her plate.

"I see that, baby. They're beautiful." I reached for my fork, my knuckles white against the silver handle. "Did you thank Mr. Luca for the special breakfast?" The words tasted like ash in my mouth.

"Thank you, Mr. Luca!" Mina chirped, giving him a smile that made my heart ache. How quickly children adapted to survive. It was both their greatest strength and deepest vulnerability.

"You're very welcome, Mina." His tone sounded gentler than I'd ever heard it. He reached for the syrup. "Would you like some more syrup on your pancakes?"

"Yes, please!" She bounced in her seat.

I watched in surreal disbelief as Luca Moretti—the man I'd watched murder someone in an alley—carefully drizzled syrup over my daughter's pancakes, stopping when she giggled and said, "That's enough!"

He set down the syrup and picked up a knife, leaning over to cut her pancakes into smaller, more manageable pieces. The domestic scene was so at odds with what I knew about him it made my head spin.

"Is that better?" he asked her, his voice almost... warm.

Mina nodded, stabbing a piece with her fork. "Mr. Luca, why is your house so big?"

My gaze darted to his face, tensing at what I feared might be his reaction to her innocent question. But instead of annoyance, his expression remained patient.

"I have a large family," he answered simply. "And sometimes we need space from each other."

"Like when I go to my room when I'm mad?" Mina asked, tilting her head.

A ghost of a smile touched his lips. "Something like that, yes."

I forced myself to eat, though each bite tasted like nothing.

My gaze constantly swept the room, noting exits, the positions of staff, anything that might help us later.

When I wasn't cataloging escape routes, I focused on Mina, drinking in the sight of her unharmed and seemingly unbothered by our predicament.

Luca caught me staring at a door behind him, his gaze locking with mine over the rim of his coffee cup. The message was clear: don't even think about it. I dropped my gaze back to my plate, hating the flutter of fear in my stomach.

"Oops!" Mina's exclamation pulled my attention back to her. She'd knocked over her chocolate milk, the brown liquid spreading across the white tablecloth toward Luca's sleeve.

Before I could react, Luca calmly moved his arm and reached for a napkin, blotting the spill without comment. A server appeared instantly to help clean the mess.

"I'm sorry." Mina’s lower lip trembled. I tensed, ready to defend her from any rebuke.

But Luca simply reached out and smoothed her hair back from her forehead, his large hand gentle against her small head. "No harm done. Would you like another glass?"

Mina nodded, relief washing over her face. The server placed a fresh glass of chocolate milk in front of her, this one in a more stable cup with a lid and straw.

"Thank you." She beamed at Luca before taking a careful sip.

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile when Mina glanced my way.

The tenderness in Luca's interaction with her was more terrifying than outright cruelty would have been.

It suggested a longer game, a more complex scenario than I had initially feared.

What did he want with us? Why this elaborate pretense of hospitality?

"Mama, can we swim in Mr. Luca's pool later?" Mina asked, jolting me from my thoughts. “It’s inside so it stays warm all year.”

"I... I don't know, sweet pea. We'll have to see." I reached out to wipe a spot of syrup from her chin, savoring the simple contact.

"Perhaps tomorrow." Luca’s gaze was on me rather than Mina. "After your mother and I have had a chance to discuss some important matters."

The implication hung heavy in the air between us. This breakfast, this reunion—it was conditional. A prelude to whatever demands he planned to make.

I looked down at my plate to hide the fear and rage in my eyes. The pancakes swam in syrup, untouched. I picked up my fork again, forcing myself to eat. I needed strength for whatever came next. For Mina's sake, I had to stay sharp, stay focused.

I met his gaze across the table, a chill running through me. Beside me, Mina happily chattered about the unicorn on her plate, oblivious to the silent war being waged over her head.