Page 51 of Savage Vow (Mafia Marriages 3)

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Karina

After having Francesco drive us to Ashton’s school, he escorts me to work, just like yesterday.

“Ivy is going to have to pick Ashton up at four o’clock. She doesn’t know how to get to the house,” I say.

“I’ll handle pickup. You haven’t been in contact with Ivy since yesterday,” Francesco says.

He isn’t wrong about speaking with Ivy, but there’s no way the school will let Ashton leave with a stranger. “You’re not on the approved list,” I say.

“Approved what?” He glances at me like I’m speaking a foreign language.

“The teacher won’t let Ashton leave with a stranger. It’s for his protection. Kidnappings and whatnot.” I don’t point out the fact that Francesco is a scary-looking dude. No way would he even attempt to pass as anything but a mobster.

“Have your sister drop him off at the hospital after school.” He hands me his phone.

“I can call her at work,” I say. We’re almost in the lobby.

He glances at me out of the corner of his eye. “Very well.”

I leave him in the lobby while I head to the elevator and up to the pediatric unit.

“Good morning,” Jocelyn says.

“Morning,” I answer.

I’m late again. It’s a habit I can’t afford to continue. I’m expecting the dragon to breathe fire down my neck, but she’s nowhere in sight.

I hurry down the hall to get into my work clothes, remove my jewelry and valuables, and place the contents in my locker.

Jocelyn follows me. “Husband keeping you up late?” she teases.

She has no idea what’s going on in my life. I want to tell her, but I can’t. It’s complicated, and it could endanger her life, which I don’t want to do.

“Something like that. Have you seen the boss?” I ask, careful not to call her the dragon if she’s around the corner. That would be just my luck to have her surface.

“Yeah, she’s in a chipper mood. Your new hubby had donuts and bagels brought in from the bakery around the corner. I’m in love with him already,” Jocelyn says and swoons. “When can we meet him?”

“You can’t.” I nip that suggestion immediately.

Her face falls. “Why not?”

I shove my clothes into the locker and lace up my sneakers for my shift. “Because he’s extremely private.”

I want to confide in her, but at the same time, I’m afraid that this new sugary sweet Jocelyn that Aurielo has managed to create by buttering her up with sweets and breakfast treats will backfire on me.

“He dropped off the baked goods in person this morning and spoke with the dragon,” Jocelyn says with a smirk.

“He did what?” My mouth drops at her remark. She can’t be serious.

A huge grin spreads across her face. “I had you!”

“You’re a brat,” I retort, and slam my locker shut. “I’m going to tell him to quit sending pastries because you don’t deserve anything sweet.”

“Fine, but the bagels look delicious too!”

I groan and roll my eyes as I head down the hallway in the opposite direction to check on my patients.

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