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19

MIRABELLA

I never showed up to the docks that night to be a distraction. I talked to Kilian about it on the boat and he told me not to go. He was worried for my safety. It’s been three weeks since then and I still haven’t heard from Dante. I don’t know if it was another one of Giancarlo’s stupid tests or what. But I still worry what may come of me not following their orders. Kilian ensured me that he would have someone watching me, making sure my safety was a priority.

And now I am back to looking over my shoulder every day. I worry about Aria. I worry about Dante following through on his threats. But Kilian assured me nothing would happen to my daughter. And every time he gives me that reassurance I know I should tell him the truth. But I can’t tell him over text that he is a dad. I need to tell him in person. But it’s too dangerous, too risky to meet up with him.

I take a deep breath as I grab my purse and umbrella to head to work. It’s pouring outside today and I know it’s going to be a slow day. Not many people will be out and about in the rain. I almost wish I could stay home and do nothing for once.

I am about to leave when I feel the vibration of my burner phone in my purse. I always keep it with me now. Kilian and I text every day. And every night he sends me dirty texts that have me wishing he was in my bed.

Kilian: Happy Birthday

Bella: You remember?

I hadn’t said anything about my birthday coming up. I don’t really care that much anyway. I know Magda will give me some cash like she does every year. I’ll order in dinner and have cake with Aria then watch a movie with her.

Kilian: I remember everything.

I blush at that. God, this man. I never blush. Ever. Yet he has been the only man in my entire life to bring a flush to my cheeks.

Bella: Well thank you

Kilian: I wish I could be there. I would give you a birthday present you would remember for the rest of your life.

Bella: Would it involve your dick?

Kilian: Baby, you better believe it would involve more than just my dick. I would have you begging for me to stop pleasuring you as I make you come over and over again. From my fingers, my tongue, my dick, toys.

I press my thighs together.

Kilian: I would fuck you ten ways to Sunday. You would forget your own name. And you’d be able to feel every place my dick was for a week.

I moan as I read his text. Really wishing he was here so we could do just that.

Bella: You are making it really hard to leave for work.

Kilian: You make me hard just thinking of you.

I grab my keys and lock the door, opening the umbrella as I walk down the front steps.

Bella: Even though it’s my birthday I would have no problem getting on my knees and letting you fuck my mouth with your dick.

Kilian: You filthy woman. I am about to walk into a meeting and now all I want is your lips on my dick.

Bella: Well I am walking to work and all I can think about is your cock pounding into me. So I guess we’re even.

Kilian: You shouldn’t be talking to me if you are walking outside.

Bella: It’s pouring rain. No one is around. I’m fine.

Kilian: I’ll talk to you tonight. Happy Birthday, beautiful. Be safe.

I smile as I shove the phone into my pocket. His words brightening my day.

I should have known texting in public was a bad idea but I feel like I make a lot of bad decisions when it comes to Kilian.

I cross the street as the rain starts to pour even harder. I’m only a block from the restaurant when a large body presses me into an alleyway and covers my mouth with his hand.

I try to grab the knife out of my purse but it’s ripped away and thrown on the ground. The umbrella snaps against the brick wall I’m thrown into, remnants of its spines digging into my back.

I am about to scream when I see my brother’s eyes looking into mine. I manage to pull his hand off my mouth. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” I spit.

He doesn’t let me go and pushes me harder into the wall. “What did you tell Giancarlo?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Just tell me!” he shouts into my face.

“Ezio, you are going to have to be a little more clear.”

He grunts and I take him in. He looks wild. His beard longer than it was the last time I saw him, his hair grown out. It looks like he has been on the run but I have no idea why. “He came looking for me.”

I am utterly confused. “You work for him.”

He shakes his head. “He tried to have me killed.”

“Why?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Ezio. You know I don’t communicate with the family.”

He shoves me harder into the brick. “I know he’s sent Dante to talk to you. To make you do their bidding.”

“They can ask me to do whatever they want but I don’t follow through.”

“Who have you been meeting with?” he asks me.

I shift against the wall, trying to get him off me but to no avail. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I am not meeting with anyone.”

“Liar, liar,” he growls.

“I seriously have no idea—”

“I’ve watched you. Someone is protecting you.”

He has to be lying. If he was watching me, Kilian would have found him already. “Get your hands off me, Ezio.”

He smirks at me, then shoves his hand into my pocket, right where I stashed the burner phone. He pulls it out and steps backward, finally freeing me from the wall. Rain pours down all over me as I toss the broken umbrella to the side. “Give that back.”

He doesn’t say anything as he opens it. “Who is this?”

“Some guy I’m fucking. Clearly you can tell from the messages.”

He paces, blocking me from getting out of the alley. “No, no, no. I know who this is. Sister, are you fraternizing with the enemy?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.”

He pockets the phone before pulling a gun. I keep my hands up to not provoke him. I am positive he has lost his mind.

“Since it’s your birthday, I won’t shoot you. But watch your back, Mirabella. Good things won’t come from this.”

He drops the gun down, then takes off around the corner. I grab my purse and run after him but through the pouring rain it’s hard to see a thing. I check the next block and can’t find him anywhere.

I run to the restaurant, worried as fuck. What the hell just happened?

And now he has my only way of getting in contact with Kilian. What if he uses the phone to lure him out? No, Kilian is smarter than that. I know he is.

Then I remember that first time I saw Kilian. When he broke into my house. He left a card with a number to contact someone who could contact him. But that’s buried in the junk drawer at home. I can’t go back there now. It would be too obvious. I’ll just have to wait until later.

I push open the back door to the kitchen of the restaurant.

“What the hell happened to you? You look like a drowned rat,” Magda says as she wipes her floured hands on her apron.

“Nothing. My umbrella broke.”

She gives me a curious look but then goes back to the bread she was working on. “Horrible thing to have happen today of all days. Happy birthday, mimma .”

I smile at her and head to the bathroom. I shut the door, locking it behind me, and want to shout or cry or both. I have no idea what the hell just happened. What is going on with Ezio and why he was asking about Dante and Giancarlo. A fit of anxiety hits me as I think about Aria and immediately dig my real phone out of my pocket and call the school. Luckily no one has tried to pick her up and I told them only I am allowed to. They probably think I am crazy but I am so worried that the threats Dante made will come to fruition. Especially now that Ezio has that phone. I don’t believe for one second he isn’t still working for Giancarlo. Dante’s words from weeks ago echoing in my brain, telling me not to worry about him.

Magda knocks on the door of the bathroom. “You alright in there, Mira?”

I press paper towels through my hair. “Yeah, just trying to dry off.”

“I may have some extra clothes upstairs for you. I’ll be right back.”

“Thank you,” I mumble through the door.

I try to pace my accelerated breathing to calm my heart and my worry. I just want it to be tonight. I want to make sure Aria is safe. And I need that number to get in contact with Kilian.

* * *

I managed to fake it last night around Aria. We had my birthday celebration as usual. Maybe because I felt safer once I picked her up from school and got home, set the alarm and texted that number Kilian gave me months ago. I didn’t expect a response. But a few minutes after I sent the text I got one back that said more eyes were on the house. The rest of the night went smoothly and Aria’s positivity kept me relaxed.

This morning the sun was out and it felt like an entirely different day. As if the rain from yesterday was an omen for a bad day.

I kept on my toes as I walked Aria to school and on my way to work. But nothing seemed strange or out of the ordinary. Maybe Ezio really is losing his mind and yesterday was some weird fluke.

Luckily, the restaurant is much busier today because of the nicer weather and it helps me keep my mind off everything. By the time I get a break for lunch, I am starving. I rush into the kitchen and nod at one of the cooks before grabbing a sandwich out of the refrigerator and slumping against the island where Magda is busy making desserts.

“Good day for business,” she says.

I nod around a mouthful of bread. “It’s so busy.”

“Makes up for yesterday.”

“For you,” I say after swallowing a bite of food. “I feel like I am running in circles.”

“Did you want help with the tables?” she asks me.

I shake my head. “I’m fine. Rosa and I are handling it.”

She smiles at me, and I shove the rest of the sandwich into my mouth. “Okay, back to work.”

“Would you be a dear and throw the trash out before you head back to your tables?”

I look at the overflowing trash cans. “Of course.”

I tie up the bag and push the back door open with my back. I drop one bag to the ground then sling the other into the dumpster followed by the second bag. When I am about to go back in, I am grabbed from behind. A hand over my mouth and I immediately curse myself for being careless. A repeat of yesterday flashing through my brain but I know there can be no way it ends the same. A far worse ending will come out of today.

I am dragged to a small alcove in the building where a door used to be and pressed into the archway. It isn’t until then that I smell the familiar scent and know it’s Kilian.

He spins me around, letting go of my mouth, his hands flying to my jaw. “Are you okay?”

I push him off me. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“Sorry,” he says as he studies my face. “I said your name, you just didn’t hear me.”

“You can’t be here,” I say as I look around him and down the alley, making sure no one is around.

“It’s safe. I checked.”

“What the hell, Kil?” I brush hair out of my face and he closes the gap between us.

“I was worried as fuck when I texted you yesterday afternoon and got a weird response back. I was ready to jump on a plane and head here to make sure you were safe. I actually did jump on a plane. It wasn’t until I was in the air that I got the message from my associate when you texted that other number.” His thumb traces over my lip. “What the hell happened?”

I tell him. About Ezio, the weird comments he made, the threats.

“He was here?”

I nod.

“You promise me that you will stay safe?” he asks.

“What are you going to do, Kilian?” I worry my lip between my teeth.

“Don’t worry, mo stór . I am just keeping you safe.”

I don’t believe a word he is saying. “You know what Ezio was doing here?”

“I have a slight inclination as to what.”

I pull him into me. “But you can’t tell me?”

He shakes his head. “The less you know, the safer you are.”

I want to argue with him but I know he’s right. I could be in worse danger if I knew what he was going to do.

He presses his lips to mine and I go still, worried that someone may see. But then he presses me farther into the alcove so my body is completely covered by his. I give in and kiss him back, my knees going weak as he kisses the hell out of me.

He pulls back and whispers in my ear. “Happy belated birthday, Bella. I’ll speak with you soon.”

He presses something into my hand then walks down the alley. I stay hidden in the alcove for a few moments while I catch my breath. I shove the phone into my apron he pressed into my hand and smooth my hair back before heading back into work.