Page 77 of Merciless Oath

Matilda shoots Valentina a questioning look, but whatever she sees seems to pacify her because she quietly slips out of her seat and floats to my side like a little ghost.

I grab her hand and give it a little squeeze, praying she understands that she’s safe. She stares up at me, her eyes full of questions and concerns.

“I’ll be right back, my love,” I say, trying to sell this twisted little act. I bend down and place a kiss on Alexandra’s cheek, and she relaxes at my touch. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she trills happily, raising her eyebrows at Valentina with a shit-eating grin. Valentina slumps in her chair, her gaze downcast and defeated.

I know she’s playing her own part right now, but the desire to scoop her up and take her away from all this madness is too strong. Instead, I grab Matilda’s hand and haul her up the stairs.

I push her out the door and let it swing closed gently behind us. She stares at me expectantly, her fear taking away her ability to speak.

“Honey, I need to do something scary right now,” I whisper, squatting down to her height. I glance around for the hired thugs, but they’re nowhere to be found. “I need to shoot the bad guys to save you and your mama, but I need you to help me. Can you do that?”

She nods slightly, unsure of what I’m asking, and I curse the PTSD that I’m about to give my own daughter.Both of these girls will need a lifetime of therapy after this—that’s non-negotiable.

“Okay, can you tell me where the bad guys were keeping you?” I ask, desperate to hurry this along but not wanting to rush her in such a delicate moment.

She nods, pointing to another door on the other side of the boat.

“In there? What’s in there?” I ask, trying to gather as much intel as I can to protect myself. “How many bad guys were there, do you remember?”

“Ummmm, three,” she whispers, holding up three tiny fingers. “They play games.”

“Games?”

“Yes, like card games,” she answers, unsure of herself.

Okay, so the hired guns are playing poker to pass the time, probably drinking too—that’s going to make life easier.

“Perfect, you’re doing great, Matilda,” I assure her, smoothing down her hair. I place a quick kiss on her forehead, and her eyes water at this show of affection. “I need you to be brave. Can you do that?”

She nods vehemently, twisting her pajama top in her tiny hands. She looks like a mini version of Valentina right now, so determined and fierce.

I point toward the helm, motioning for her to run to the little cabin. “Go hide in there and don’t come out until you hear your mama calling you, okay?”

She nods and bolts to the cabin. I give her a few seconds to find a hiding place and straighten up. The only thing I have on my side is the element of surprise. There are three of them and one of me.

I check Alexandra’s gun.Three bullets.

I only have one shot to get this right.

I close my eyes and ask the universe to guide me. I promise to be the best father to both of these little girls if we manage to get off this yacht. I promise to never take life for granted again.

I promise to love Valentina until my dying day.

With this list of promises and a gun, I march slowly to the other door. It’s open a crack and I peek inside. Raucous laughter and cigarette smoke float toward me.

I see the three of them at the table playing cards, just like Matilda said.

Here goes nothing.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Valentina

WatchingEnzo lead Matilda out of this dark, depressing sideshow lifts my spirits. I don’t know how this will pan out, but I know Enzo will do everything in his power to make this right.

I breathe a sigh of relief, and Alexandra eyes me suspiciously.

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