Page 62 of Ruined By Protection
I take the stairs, my footsteps echoing against marble. The west wing is quiet except for the faint sound of a lullaby playing in Sofia's room. I knock once, then push the door open.
Damiano stands by the window, Sofia cradled against his chest. Zoe sits in a rocking chair nearby, looking tired but content. The scene is so peaceful it feels wrong to disturb it with what I'm bringing.
"Montgomery's in town," I say without preamble.
Damiano's expression doesn't change but his eyes sharpen. "When?"
"Two hours ago. Private jet to JFK."
"He's looking for Hazel," Zoe says. It's not a question.
"Where is she?" I ask, scanning the room as if she might materialize from behind the changing table.
"At an art gallery with Lucrezia," Zoe says, rising from the chair. "Some new exhibition in Chelsea that Lucrezia was raving about."
The words are a punch to the gut. "What? She's out?" My voice rises and Sofia stirs against Damiano's shoulder. He gives me a warning look and I force myself to lower the volume. "She shouldn't be out in public. Not with him in the city."
"Lucrezia insisted," Zoe explains. "Said Hazel needed society after being cooped up."
"And no one thought to tell me?" Heat rises in my chest, my hands curling into fists at my sides. "I'm supposed to be handling her security."
"Your job is handling family business security, not babysitting houseguests," Damiano says, his voice quiet but firm as he pats Sofia's back. "I sent Fabio with them. He's perfectly capable."
"Fabio?" I spit the name like a curse. "He couldn't protect a ham sandwich."
"He's one of our best," Damiano counters, giving me a curious look. "Unless there's another reason you're so invested in Mrs. Montgomery's whereabouts?"
I drag a hand down my face. Fuck. This moment has been coming since I first saw Hazel step off that plane.
"There is something," I admit, my voice lower than before. "I know her."
Zoe's eyebrows lift. Damiano's expression remains unchanged but his focus sharpens.
"Knew her how?" he asks.
"Austin. Three years ago." The words feel like gravel in my throat. "The business trip. I met her at the hotel bar where she worked."
Understanding dawns in Damiano's eyes. "You slept with her."
It's not a question. He knows me too well.
"One night," I confirm, pacing now, unable to stand still.
"And now she's here," Zoe says softly, "married to a monster."
"Did you know she was married when you saw her at dinner?" Damiano asks.
"No. Not until later." My jaw clenches. "I thought maybe she was working an angle. That it was too much of a coincidence."
Damiano shifts Sofia to his other shoulder, his movements gentle despite the gravity of our conversation. "And now?"
"Now I've seen what that bastard did to her." The memory of those bruises makes my blood boil all over again. "Purple and yellow marks everywhere. Fingerprints on her arms."
Zoe inhales sharply, her hand moving protectively to her stomach where their second child grows.
"And this Montgomery," Damiano says, "he's here in New York looking for her."
"Yes." I stop pacing and face him directly. "I need to handle this."
