Page 14 of Unbroken (Russo Mafia)

I didn’t have any worries with Charlotte out of town, but now that her dad is sick, that means she’ll be back. The only good thing is that Scarlett doesn’t hang around, so I have no worries of her bringing her around. I also have no worries of her blabbing to Charlie. Rett has made it his mission to keep her quiet even after all this time he still hates her. Especially after she went to law school. I find that handy having a lawyer in the family. We need her sometimes and it kills him to admit it.

I finish things up in the office before I head home. As I open the door, a small squeal can be heard from the kitchen. Walking in I see Adelaide sitting at the island decorating cookies with her nanny Anna. I can’t help but smile.

“DADDY!” Ada jumps off her stool and comes running to me. I bend down and open my arms for her. She wraps her arms around my neck. I stand and enter the kitchen.

“How was your day?”

“So good! School was amazing. I made a new friend and I’m so glad she wants to be my friend.” She smiles at me.

“I’m glad too. I’m sure you’ll make more friends. School just started baby.” I set her back into her seat.

“Hello, Anna. How was your day?” I kiss her on the cheek.

She swats me away. “The usual but eventful, as always with this one.” She points her spatula at Ada.

Anna came to us the day Adelaide was born. I’m forever grateful for her. She’s been here for the worst of the worst and has never left us. She’s like an extra grandparent for Ada. I’ll be forever in her debt.

“What’s for supper?” I ask Anna.

“I’m making Spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread on the side and Ada made dessert.”

I peek over at the cookies that Ada decorated. “They do look delicious. Can I try a sample?”

“No, Daddy.” She giggles. “You gotta wait. You’ll ruin your supper.”

“That’s right, how silly of me. I guess I’ll wait.” I give her the puppy dog eyes.

She crosses her arms over her chest. “That’s not going to work on me, Daddy. You gotta wait.” Then bops me on the nose.

Damn this kid. She definitely has my backbone. I don’t know if I should be worried or glad that no one will ever break her.

“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up for supper.”

Ever since her mom was killed, I’ve made a point to be home more. I don’t trust them being alone for a long time by themselves. I haven’t found out who killed her mother after all this time, so that threat still lives with me every single day. That’s why I enjoy having the office up the road. I can still watch the cameras and make sure nothing goes wrong. Having all the bodyguards walking around helps keep me at ease, too.

“So, tell me more about school? What is your teacher like?”

She jumps up and down with excitement. “She’s so cool. We have a class pet! I really want a pet. Can I get a pet Daddy?” She gives me those puppy dog eyes.

I laugh at her and tap her nose. “I’ll think about it. You’ll have to ask Anna. She’ll be here during the day, too. Maybe we can get a fish and start small. How does that sound?”

Her eyes sparkle with joy and she nods. We eat supper while she fills me in about her day and what they plan on doing tomorrow. I wish I had her easy days and carefree life. Growing up as a male in the mafia world I never had it easy. Father has been prepping me since day one. I don’t want that for her. I want her to enjoy her childhood before it goes to hell. By the time I tuck her into bed, she can’t keep her eyes open.

“Night Daddy. Love you,” she says with a yawn.

I lean over and kiss her forehead. “Love you tooPrincipessa,dream of sweet things.”

Now I have bigger things to worry about. Like a certain detective and the chief adding more stress to my pile of never-ending shit. I’ll have to leave a false trail for the detective to follow for now.

My phone rings pulling me out of my thoughts. It’s the last person I expected to be calling me.

“Hello, Scarlett. What do I owe the pleasure of this phone call?”

“Cut the crap Lucca. Do you know she’s back?” she calls out.

“How the fuck am I supposed to know she’s back? Who are we talking about?” I retorted.

She groans. “I would only be calling about one person, and you know this. Don’t do anything to her. You ruined her and I will never forgive you for that. Leave her alone Lucca.”

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