Page 33 of Ruined By Protection
The question catches me off guard. "Tonight?"
"Ettore is preparing carbonara. Your favorite. We have a guest as you already know."
My stomach growls at the thought. Ettore's carbonara is legendary. Under normal circumstances wild horses couldn't drag me away from that meal.
But these aren't normal circumstances. Not with Hazel under this roof.
"I'll stay for dinner," I say, keeping my voice neutral. Damiano doesn't need to know my real reason for accepting.
Something in my tone must give me away because Damiano's eyes narrow slightly. "Good."
He shuffles some papers on his desk before continuing. "Speaking of our new houseguest, I'm assigning security to her."
My chest tightens. "You think that's necessary?"
"Evelyn seems to think so. Says the girl is running from something—or someone." He looks up at me. "Until we know more I want eyes on her. For her protection and ours."
I nod, trying to appear merely professionally interested. "Makes sense. Who are you putting on it?"
"I was thinking Daniel. He's good with the delicate cases."
"Daniel's already assigned to Lucrezia," I point out, perhaps too quickly. "And he's stretched thin with the casino preparations."
Damiano raises an eyebrow. "You have a better suggestion?"
I hesitate, knowing I'm walking a dangerous line. Getting personally involved is exactly what I shouldn't do. Not until I figure out who Hazel really is and what she's doing here.
But the thought of Daniel watching over her—missing things, being careless—sits wrong in my gut.
"I can handle it," I say, the words leave my mouth before I can stop them.
Damiano's expression shifts to one of genuine surprise. "You? Since when do you volunteer for babysitting duty?"
I shrug, aiming for casual. "I'm already involved. I picked her up, brought her here. Might as well see it through." I lean forward slightly. "Besides, if she is trouble I'm better equipped to handle it than Daniel."
Damiano nods slowly. "Fair point. But don't let it distract you from your other responsibilities."
"It won't."
"Fine. She's yours to watch." He gives me a pointed look. "Just remember—we're protecting the family first. If she's a problem..."
He doesn't finish the sentence. He doesn't need to.
"Understood," I say, rising from my chair. "I'll see you at dinner."
As I leave Damiano's office I try to ignore the anticipation coursing through me. I tell myself it's just the thrill of solving a puzzle, of uncovering a potential threat.
But deep down I know it's more than that. Much more.
I step into the hall, my mind racing with thoughts of Hazel.
Before I can get too deep into these thoughts I nearly collide with Zoe rounding the corner. She's wearing a white sundress that makes her blonde hair seem even brighter against her fair skin.
"Whoa, sorry," I say, stepping back.
Zoe smiles, her green eyes taking in my expression. "No problem. You look like you're a million miles away." She glances at Damiano's closed door. "Did you piss off my husband in there? Just so I know what mood I'll find him in."
I can't help but chuckle. Zoe has that effect—cutting through tension with her directness. It's why she and Damiano work sowell together. Where he's all controlled power, she's unflinching honesty.
