Page 70 of Owned by the Italian Mafia Boss
“Well, maybe I have,” he sasses back at me, exiting the kitchen in a blaze.
Delilah chuckles. “He’s something else.”
“He’s something,” I mumble. “Ready to go see Ryan?”
She nods, taking the smoothie out of my hand, and I follow her from the kitchen, down the steps, and then down the darkened hallway where the suites are. Every member who lives here has their own room.
Delilah finds the third door on the left and knocks. “Ryan? It’s Delilah. I brought you a smoothie.”
There’s a rustling behind the door, and a second later, it swings open, showing an exhausted Ryan. He has dark circles under his eyes, but his smile seems genuine. His gaze shifts me, and his smile falters.
“Mr. Milazzo, how are you?”
“I’m good, Ryan. How are you doing?”
“I’m okay. Thank you for bringing me breakfast. I’m starving.” He takes the glass from Delilah and bypasses the straw, gulping down half the smoothie.
“Ryan, I wanted to ask you a few things.” Delilah enters the room, and I’m right behind her.
“You can shut the door, Ryan. We need privacy for this conversation.” It wasn’t a question but a statement. I don’t want anyone listening in on our conversation. I have told Delilah what I would like her to asked, questions I believe will be easier coming from her than me.
Ryan swallows, wiping the corner of his mouth. “Right,” he whispers, his hand trembles as he grabs the handle and shuts the door.
I look him over to make sure he’s okay. His bruises have faded to pale yellow, and he has a small scar near his eye from where Delilah had to relieve the pressure. A lot of blood poured out, but the swelling immediately went down. He seems like he is on the mend, but I don’t like that he stays in his room alone so much. He came here for sanctuary and has yet to treat this house as his home.
“You aren’t a prisoner, Ryan. You’re able to come and go as you please,” Delilah informs him.
He stares at his feet,
scratches the back of his head and he nods. “I have nowhere to go. I’m afraid they will find me and kill me if I leave. I’m only safe in this room. This is it for me.”
“Romano has been very quiet since my kidnapping.” Delilah begins to tiptoe toward what I want her to ask. “Do you know why? I thought you said he had a plan.”
Ryan’s brows pinch together as he thinks, taking a seat on the bed. “He does. He did, from what I heard. His plan fell through if the man he hired to kidnap you went off the rails. I know he wanted you alive, and from what I understand, you said this guy wanted to kill you, right?”
Delilah snorts. “To kill me and chop me up into bits.”
I growl, wishing I could kill that asshole all over again. Delilah pats my arm when Ryan flinches.
Ryan takes another drink of his smoothie. “You’re worth more to Romano alive than you are dead. He wanted to make a show of having you. You’d earn him money.” He flicks his attention to me and winces. “I’m sorry. I don’t like saying things like that in front of you, Mr. Milazzo.”
“It’s okay. All information is good information.” I try to keep my mouth shut so Delilah can lead the conversation. Ryan is afraid of me, and it’s best to remain calm and collected.
“Do you know why he’s been quiet?” Delilah asks, her voice gentle and kind. It washes over me like a warm blanket, and I’m less stressed after I hear it.
“His attempt to kidnap you failed. You lived. He’s probably hiding to buy some time to figure out his next move.” His leg begins to shake with anxiety, and he rolls his head over his shoulders.
Delilah takes his hand, holds on to it, and takes a deep breath to calm herself. “Do know where he would hide? Even his docks have been empty. No boats, no merchandise in or out, there’s nothing. It’s like he disappeared.”
“I’m so sorry I don’t know. If I did, I’d tell you. I’d tell you in a heartbeat because I hate him. I want him dead. I never got that information. Anything I know is because I listened when I wasn’t supposed to. I wouldn’t let your guard down. He’s out there. He’s waiting for the right time. And now that you’re pregnant, he will only want you more.”
“I won’t let him get near her,” I sneer, and Ryan flinches at my tone.
Delilah switches gears. “Well, I get to leave the house today and go on a little adventure. Do you want to come with us? Carmine will be there, along with Matias. We will be protected. I think it will be good for you to get out of the house.”
Ryan chews on his thumbnail as he thinks, then crosses his arms over his chest. “I don’t know. It’s safe here. I like safe. I’ve never been safe before. There’s no one here taking—” He shuts his eyes and shudders. “I haven’t been touched. I like my room.”
“We don’t want you to think you’re unwanted here. You can come upstairs and socialize. It is your new start in life. Come with us today, and then you can stay in your room all night.”
