Page 159 of Vows of a Mobster

The whole time I drove, I had a feeling we were being watched. There were surveillance cameras everywhere, and men patrolling the property. Mateo’s property was no less protected but he did a good job of giving the appearance of freedom. Here, there was none.

When we finally got to the house, an impressive large mansion, I parked and exited the vehicle. Daphne and Marissa followed.

“Remember what we agreed?” I murmured under my breath. “If it comes to it, it was just me.”

“Brie,” Marissa took my hand and squeezed my hand.

“Remember the promise,” I hissed low, pulling my hand out of her grip.

“Welcome,” Declan Sr. was at the steps of his house welcoming us. He stood proud at his doorstep with two guards protecting him.

“I want my daughter and Giovanni back.” I didn’t bother with pleasantries, trying to appear brave but he saw right through me. I was a scared little girl and there was no Mateo or his men to protect me.

“Your daughter is safe,” he answered.

I noticed he didn’t say Giovanni was safe. I balled my hands into a fist, my nails digging into my palms.

“Giovanni better be safe too.” I tried to demand in a cold voice, but there was an undertone of trembling in it.

He smiled. “He’s alive, not to worry.”

I exhaled in relief. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him. He was innocent in all this.

“Shall we go inside?” Declan Sr. extended his hand to his house. God, I didn’t want to go in. I just wanted my daughter and Giovanni so we could leave. I’d barricade myself and all those I love into the house so we could be safe.

My legs felt like lead and heavier with each step I took into the house. Marissa and Daphne were right behind me. The further inside the mansion we were, the less bravery I had. I scoffed to myself. Who was I kidding? I never had much bravery. My dad and stepfather always sheltered me, protected me from my mother, from cruel rumors, reporters, or anything else.

What did I think I could accomplish here alone?

Even as I asked myself that question, I knew it was time to tell the truth. I couldn’t let others pay for my mistake. I would never forgive myself if people I loved ended up hurt because of me. It was something I couldn’t live with.

I should have told Mateo I loved him at least once.Because I loved him with all my heart. He became my everything.

We came to the end of the corridor, and it looked like we were on the other side of the house.

I stopped and turned around with a raised eyebrow. “Now what?” I asked.

Declan Sr. walked past me and knocked on the wall, as I watched him, the wall shifted like it was a door.

I shared glances with Daphne and Marissa. Fuck, he could shove us in there and keep us locked forever.

“Don’t be shy, lass,” Declan Sr. spoke up, nudging me inside.

I swallowed hard and went inside. My eyes widened because it was a large, comfortable and bright living room. It wasn’t what I expected.

My eyes scanned the room, finding Giovanni tied to a chair but he was fine. My eyes met his in question.

“I’m fine,” he grunted. There was a large bump on his forehead. “Emma is fine too. I told her we were playing princess and dragons. These idiots were dragons. She thinks this is an adventure.”

I knew Giovanni would shelter her.

“The young man refused to stop fighting us,” Declan Sr. proceeded to explain, noticing my eyes on Giovanni’s forehead. “We had to knock him out so he wasn’t scaring our young Emma.”

He saidouryoung Emma. Why?

I scanned the rest of the room, finding Declan’s two younger brothers that attacked Giovanni and my other guards while kidnapping Emma. I pressed my lips together remaining silent, when all I really wanted to shriek at them like a lunatic for daring to endanger my daughter and people I cared about.

“Where is my daughter?” I asked, trying desperately to keep my cool.