Page 42 of Captive Vow (Mafia Marriages 2)

17

Paige

Just as I finish getting Nova into her romper, Moreno is screaming my name at the top of his lungs.

What now?

He sounds pissed, and it sends a shudder through my body.

Nova’s eyes are wide and her body tenses. “It’ll be okay,” I say and offer the little one a warm smile.

His footfalls are heavy as he stomps into my bedroom. I can hear the door open and wonder if he’s ripped it right off its hinges.

Moreno barrels into Nova’s room through the adjoining door.

“Care to explain why my late wife’s wedding ring is missing?”

It’s not a question.

I feel the accusation posed at me.

He steps closer, a little too close, as he’s invading my personal space.

“I don’t—” I start and cast a glance at Nova.

She’s trembling and her eyes are filled with tears, sliding down her cheeks. Nova attempts not to move, frozen in place, but the fear radiating through her is visible.

Although Moreno pays her no attention.

His anger, which seems to have turned to hatred, is burning at me like an inferno. He’s about to erupt, and so I let him.

Anything to protect that little girl.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken the ring.” I never touched his dead wife’s ring, but he’s dead set on believing I’m the villain.

“We don’t have time right now. Downstairs. Now,” he snaps.

I usher Nova out of the bedroom and down to the foyer to get ready to head out.

“I expect the ring back in the box as soon as we return home.”

If Nova didn’t take the ring, I’m royally screwed.

Does the little girl have sticky fingers?

Is there a chance one of the guards or someone who came in to clean the place saw it and pawned it?

“Am I still coming with you to the appointment?”

“Don’t think you’re getting out of it that easily,” Moreno says. His top lip snarls. He’s trying to control his anger.

Has he finally recognized how afraid Nova is of him?

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I say.

We head outside, and I open the back door of his SUV, helping Nova into her car seat. I buckle her in nice and tight before climbing into the front seat.

Truthfully, I’d rather sit in the back with her. It feels safer.

---