Page 39 of The Prizes We Win
“Could do it as soon as tomorrow night. I just need time to get the gear together, and Seb needs time to hack into their system?”
“What are we talking about?” I ask again but none of them look at me.
“We don’t want to wait too long and give them time to retaliate for taking Anya. They’ve probably figured it out by now,” Enzo adds.
“Anya? Wait. Are you guys talking about Maxim and Andrei?” I look between the four of them and nothing.
Okay. Now I’m starting to get pissed, and I was in a really good mood.
“Alright,” Luca says tapping the table with the palm of his hand. “Tomorrow it is. Let’s—”
“Stop!” I shout and stand from my chair. They all finally look at me. “You guys can’t do this.”
“Do what, Mama?”
“Love, we have to take care of Andrei and Maxim before they come after us again. We need to be prepared this time. We—”
“No,” I interrupt. “You guys can’t shut me out of decisions. That’s not how this is going to work.”
Luca stands from his chair. Tucking his pointer finger under my chin he rubs the pad of his thumb along my lower lip. “We’re sorry, Vita Mia. The four of us are just used to moving fast. We didn’t mean to exclude you.”
I take a deep breath. “Okay.”
“What do you want to do?” he asks.
“I—I want you to take care of them?” He pinches his brow in confusion. “I didn’t disagree with your decision, I just wanted to be included.”
Luca smiles softly. “Okay.” Leaning forward he kisses the tip of my nose. “Consider yourself included.”
The two of us sit back down, and I tuck my legs underneath me. Grabbing my mug in one hand, I gesture around the table with the other. “You may continue.”
25
Josephine
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Harper asks.
After Dante, Sebastian, Enzo, Luca, and I devised a plan for tomorrow night, I made it crystal clear I was not sitting at home and waiting like some damsel in distress. It’s not who I am and they know it. I am more than capable of protecting myself, and if I felt like I was going to be a hindrance I wouldn’t do it.
And after some initial protesting from Dante, Sebastian, and Luca, Enzo helped me convince them. We came to the agreement that Sebastian and I would both come with. Sebastian would stay in the van and monitor from his computers, and if the situation gets too intense I will go back with him.
I also promised them I wouldprovehow skilled I am at defending myself. Which Enzo has seen on more than one occasion.
Every time he comes with me to the gym I don’t miss the proud expression on his face as the two of us spar.
I’ve never beaten him, and he’ll never just let me win, but I’ve come damn close. Which is why I think he’s so confident in my going with them tomorrow night.
Dante and Luca spent a few hours with me in the gun range, which I didn’t even know they had in this building, and they were pleasantly surprised at how good my shot was after a few minor adjustments.
Now the five of us are at the boxing gym Enzo and I regularly attend with the entire Donovan-McDermott clan in tow. Enzo made sure to call ahead of time so the owners could close the place down. We figured it was better safe than sorry. Enzo made sure to pay him well for his time.
When I decided I was going to be showing them my moves this afternoon, I figured what better time to give Harper a lesson or two.
Because in this area, IknowI won’t need any adjustments.
“You’re alright, Baby,” Ronan encourages her. “Joe knows what she’s doing.”
“You’ve got this. I promise you’re not going to hurt me.” I hold up my pad-covered hands.
