Page 10 of Mafia Daddy

I know it. He knows it.

I lead Cara out of the room, leaving her father behind. Let everything I just said sink in. He’s already losing his hold of the city. The last thing he wants is to make an enemy of me.

As we reach the door, I turn to Cara and take her hand in mine. "Ready to leave?"

She nods timidly. "Yes."

We step outside the mansion, the cool night air breezing past us. I look down at Cara, her face still lined with tears, and feel a wave of protectiveness wash over me. No one’s going to hurt her again, not while I’m around.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

Cara sniffs and nods, a small smile crossing her lips. "I'm okay now. Thank you, Carlo."

I pull her into a tight embrace, holding her close as I plant a kiss on her forehead.

As much as I want to stay like this longer, I know that we can't. We need to leave this place immediately, to get as far away from Cara's family as possible.

"Let's go," I tell her. "I'll keep you safe, Cara. I promise."

6

CARA

I’m sitting beside Carlo, lost in my thoughts while he keeps his eyes on the road as he drives to an unknown destination. Anywhere but here. I’m struck by how freeing this feels—to have someone else decide for me, even if it’s as simple as taking me somewhere I have no idea about. Leave it all up to him and I don’t have to do anything but sit and wait for us to arrive there, wherever it is.

Today’s events have shaken me to the core. The man I trusted to protect me, the man I called father, only saw me as a tool for his business. My fiancé tried to hurt me. If it wasn't for Carlo, I don't know what would have happened to me. I know it doesn't matter anymore because as long as I’m with him, I feel safe.

“Are you hungry?” he asks.

“Not really. I just want to get as far away from them as possible.”

"Okay, then. I want to show you something," he says, his honey-brown eyes melting into mine. He’s so ruggedly handsome that it takes my breath away. I only nod my head with a small smile, his presence overwhelms my senses and I can't think about anything else but him.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a secret," he tells me. I see him smirk through the rearview mirror and a strange but pleasant feeling burns through me.

This man is doing things to me that no one has ever done before. I’m blushing already, and I try to busy myself by looking at the time. I see it’s quite late.

"Are you sure wherever this is it’s still open?"

"It's not that far. Trust me."

Huh. Then I’m all in.

It takes us a while, and I don't see where we are until the structure is upon us—the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge. As we approach the bridge, Carlo finds a parking spot for the car. He comes down and opens the door, holding his hand out for me. I take his hand and step out, feeling like a princess in a fairytale dream.

The Brooklyn Bridge stands tall and proud before us, a magnificent and towering sight that never fails to impress me. Its colossal towers seem to reach for the sky, their steel frames illuminated by the glow of the city lights. My heart feels full and flutters with excitement as we walk across the bridge, our hands intertwined together.

Along the bridge, large steel cables hang from the tower, and they sway with a hum, a gentle harmony of weathered metal. I look up at Carlo and the city lights reflect in his eyes. The bridge is bustling with activity, but as I stare into his eyes, the world fades around me and it's just him and me that remains.

The wooden planks that make up the walkway creak softly beneath our feet with every step we take, and the sound it makes is soothing. The rush of the water below adds to the symphony of sounds, creating a static melody that is both chaotic and beautiful.

As we reach the middle of the bridge, Carlo takes my hand and looks deep into my eyes. "I have a secret spot I want to show you."

My heart beats erratically in my chest as he leads me towards a small staircase that leads down to the base of the bridge. "So you keep secrets, huh?" I ask playfully, trying to sound mischievous.

Carlo just smiles and leads me down the stairs to a secluded spot beneath the bridge. The sound of the rushing water fills the air, and the twinkling lights of the city add a magical touch to the scene before me.

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