Page 171 of Mila: The Godfather

“When did you start doing this, and how did you do it? I hope you don’t mind me asking. It’s just that this is so much money.” She looks at me expectantly.

I like painting old things to make them pretty again, and Carlotta suggested I start posting anonymously on social media. She helped me with everything. She’s so smart and has a knack for marketing. Carlotta is the reason why my hobby is now a successful business.”

“What did you do with all that money? You haven’t spent a single dime.” She smiles. “Yes, I tapped inside your bank account.”

“I wanted to give it to Carlotta, but she refused, and so did my sister Kadra, so I left it there.”

“Do you want to do something with it?” she asks.

I think about it for a second. “I think I’d like to give some to charity,” I told her. The rest I can use to purchase gifts for Riagan that will make him smile. Just like he does for me.

“We could do that. If you want to, yes.” She leans back on the sofa, and I see her expression change. “I can also help you grow your business. It’s all about social media these days and finding sponsors. Your designs are fun and young. People eat that up.”

I listen to what she’s suggesting, but I’m not really into the business side of things. I just like painting and fixing old and broken things. The only reason I decided to post on social media was because it gave me a sense of freedom. It allowed me to do something for myself instead of depending on my sisters or my family’s name.

“It’s just for fun.” I blurt out. “I mean, it’s just something I do for fun. I don’t really care about the money.”

“Well, if you ever decide to make something more out of it. I—” She’s interrupted by the loud sound of an alarm blaring.

Men’s shouts are heard in the distance.

Maeve abruptly stands, and I see it on her face.

She’s not afraid, but there’s worry written all over her expression.

And I know.

I know there’s something terribly wrong.

I don’t have to guess because when I rise from the sofa, the door to the theater room opens at the same moment, and in walks Riagan’s father.

My heart stops, and so does my breathing when I see him covered in blood.

From the look on his face, I can tell that he’s angry. Furious.

“Maeve. Take Mila to the panic room, and don’t leave until I come to get you myself. Don’t open for anyone else.” He barks, startling me. Cathan has never raised his voice around me. Not even once.

“What’s going on?” I inch closer to him, worried about what all this can do to his health. Is the blood his? I don’t understand what’s going on.

His blue eyes, the same as Riagan’s, soften when they glance at me. “The security alarm has been disarmed from the inside, and we’ve been breached. You aren’t safe.”

Bad guys. Bad guys are coming.

“You need to go.” He gently urges me toward the door.

“I don’t want to leave you here on your own.” Where’s Riagan? My heart starts to beat erratically and not in a good way. My head spins with all kinds of bad thoughts. Is he hurt?

“We need you safe, honey. He needs you to be okay. He can’t get us out of this alive if he’s worried about you.” I know he doesn’t mean harm with his words, but they strike me.

“I’ll protect her with my life,” Maeve says while moving closer to the door. She has a look on her face that I can’t quite decipher.

“No. Wait” I cry out, scared for them. For my husband. “Riagan…”

“He’ll be okay. My boy won’t let anyone hurt you. We won’t let anyone hurt you. Any of you.” He nods at Maeve, and I watch a silent agreement pass between them.

“Watch your back and your brother’s back.” Cathan turns away from us and faces the armed men who appear at the door of the theater, his family, who were all looking at him. “Just like we do to all our enemies. We go after them and show no fucking mercy.” I watched as each of them nodded their heads, gripped their guns, and flicked their knives.

None of them looked scared.

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