Page 102 of Ruthless Mafia Daddy

“Technically, yes. But Marco is a good guy, really.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

I move back to the couch, running my hands over the pale lilac fabric. “You need to help me get out of here. You have to know that locking me up here is wrong, right?”

She shakes her head, looking awkward. “Andre’s worried you’re in danger. He’s just trying to keep you safe.”

“It’s not up to him to do that!” I snap.

Rosa flinches, and I silently curse myself.

“I… I’m sorry. This isn’t your fault. I’m just…scared.”

Rosa nods and moves to come and sit beside me.

“I always question my brother’s methods too. He took me out of school and essentially put me on house arrest because of a threat against my life. I fought him, but ultimately, he is only doing it to keep me safe.”

I frown at Rosa. “What about your mom and dad? What do they say?”

Rosa fiddles with a gold ring on her finger, not looking at me.

“They died in a car accident when I was five. So, Andre essentially raised me. Marco was older, he was sixteen, but he went off the rails for a while after the accident. Andre did the best he could, and eventually, got Marco back on the right path. I don’t know what would’ve happened if it weren’t for my brother.”

“I had no idea…” I rest a hand on my flat stomach, thinking about my own parents.

“He’s crazy protective.” Rosa shrugs. “It drives me nuts sometimes, but I know he loves me and would do anything for me.”

“I’m sure he would.”

“He must feel very strongly about you if he’s gone to all this trouble.” Rosa glances at me.

I nod, keeping my mouth shut. There are so many questions I want to ask her, but I think I would rather the answers come from Andre himself.

“Trust him, Lila. That’s all I can really offer. Anyway, I’ll leave you alone now.” She gets to her feet. “I could come back later if you like?”

“Sure.” I offer her a small smile.

I watch Rosa leave and flinch at the sound of the key turning in the lock.

I spend a while staring at the door, thinking of all she told me.

Andre raised his two siblings, alone, and it’s clear he would do anything for those he cares about. While his methods are questionable, can I deny the fact that all he wanted was to keep me and this baby safe?

But how can I trust Andre when I barely even know him?

The creak of the door wakes me up.

I’m tangled in the silk sheets on the bed.

After a few nights of sleeping on the floor, I gave in and crawled onto the bed after eating the food Rosa brought for me. I passed out almost immediately at the feeling of the silk caressing my bare legs.

“Lila?”

I sit up at the sound of Andre’s voice.

He looks tired, his shirt sleeves rolled up and his hair tousled as if he’s run his hands through it over and over.

I lick my lips at sight of him, my heartbeat quickening as he stalks toward me.

---