Page 74 of Savage Vow (Mafia Marriages 3)

“You don’t have to worry. I’ll tell him in the morning.” I finish with the sandwiches, grab a handful of potato chips for each plate, and then carry two plates upstairs.

I can’t eat. There’s a sandwich abandoned on the table for me, but the thought of food turns my stomach.

I bring a tray upstairs carrying both meals and drinks, and give a firm knock before opening the bedroom door.

Karina is seated on the mattress with Ashton curled up on her lap.

“I brought dinner,” I say.

I place the silver tray on a nearby table before flipping on the bedside lamp to add additional light to the room. The sun had set while I was putting dinner together.

I pull the curtains closed, giving the bedroom privacy. Not that anyone can see inside unless they’re in the compound.

“Come on,” Karina says. She gently pats Ashton’s back, trying to untangle him from around her body.

He doesn’t dismount from his tight grip around his mother.

“I made sandwiches,” I say and step around to glance at Ashton.

Ashton doesn’t so much as look at me. His head is turned away, and when I approach, he turns to face away from me.

The kid is mad at me.

I haven’t exactly made his life easy, uprooting him, and he hasn’t even changed schools yet.

Ashton is going to hate me.

Every kid loves potato chips. “And there’s potato chips too. Have you ever put chips in your sandwich?” I ask.

He snorts.

I’m not sure if that’s progress or not.

“Ash, babe. I’m going to eat. If you don’t want dinner, you can climb under the covers and go to bed,” Karina says.

Ashton untangles from Karina and scoots over to sit with her on the bed.

Progress.

I’m pleased when she convinces him to eat, and he quietly sucks down his food faster than I thought a kid possibly could.

He’s either starving or avoiding talking, but I’m glad he’s getting sustenance.

“Did you eat?” Karina asks.

“I made a sandwich, but it’s downstairs,” I say. I can’t even think of eating. My heart is jack hammering in my chest.

I want to protect my family. I’m just not sure how. Well, other than locking them up inside this room and never letting them leave.

Ashton reaches for a potato chip on his plate and brings it to my lips.

I open my mouth, letting him feed me the salty snack. “Thank you.”

He tilts his head slightly, staring at me. “Do you love my mom?” Ashton asks.

The question catches me off guard.

The kid has no idea why he’s been whisked from his home, his life, and thrust into this new world. What’s the saying? Ignorance is bliss.

---