Page 49 of Captive Vow (Mafia Marriages 2)

“Son, where did you get the lighter from?” Dante asks a little too calmly as he approaches Luca, bending down to his level.

I swallow nervously. While I had nothing to do with it, I’m scared the kid might lie and throw me to the wolves.

“One of the kids brought it to camp,” Luca says. “I hid it in the playroom. I didn’t know Nova would find it.”

“We’ll talk about this later,” Dante says. “Open the windows. We need to clear out the smoke.”

Dante turns his attention toward Moreno. “Why wasn’t the nanny watching your daughter?”

Moreno’s lips pinch together. “We were having a discussion and let Nova play alone in the playroom. We didn’t expect her to stumble onto a lighter.”

He’s defending his daughter.

Good.

Dante gives a sharp nod. “It’s a relief no one was hurt. I want a word with you, Moreno.”

“Of course, boss. Paige, take Nova outside for some fresh air into the garden. Go through the kitchen.”

I don’t need an escort, and I’m pleased that Moreno lets me accompany Nova alone out to the garden.

The fresh air is welcome, and the moment we’re outside, Nova wiggles to get down from my grasp.

I put her feet down on the brick patio and take a seat on the wooden bench. The garden is small, intimate, and has an assortment of vegetables sprouting.

Nova leans forward and points to the sugar snap peas flowering. A few are ready to be picked. I twist them off, one by one, and hand them to Nova.

She pops one in her mouth and chomps loudly, happily distracted.

The fear from the fire seems to be gone for now.

Will she have nightmares tonight or in the future because of the fire?

I reach for Nova and pull her onto my lap for a little talk. “Did you take your mama’s ring from your daddy’s bedroom?”

While I haven’t seen the ring, I suspect she’s harboring some guilt over it.

Her eyes fall to the ground, and she wiggles again to get away from me.

“I’m not mad,” I say in a soft and soothing voice. Scaring her isn’t going to help. Neither is berating her.

“Your daddy is sad that the ring is gone. He misses your mom very much. I bet you miss her too.”

Nova slowly glances up at me with bright eyes and gives a brief nod.

“Do you know where the ring is?” I ask.

Her lips are pressed tight together.

Moreno will never let me leave.

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