Page 7 of Reign of Fate

That doesn’t mean I haven’t killed women. If the enemy comes, man or woman, I take them out. Several women have tried to get close to Raffaele in the past. They were sent by the enemy to get close enough to kill him. One tried to poison him. I made her drink her own poison to end her life. Another attempted to lure Raffaele into her suite, where a Russian hitman was waiting for him. I’m afraid her end was not as clean as a simple poison.

Each time I’ve seen Elisa, she comes across as demure. It was a nice surprise to see her speaking up and defending herself when I teased her about snooping. She has a few kitten claws, and I find that alluring as well. I can see that she’s trying to understand what’s happening between us. I’m giving her time to think as we drive the rest of the way without talking.

After Guido’s death, Raffaele and I spoke of how we would proceed with Elisa. It was his decision to have me deliver her monthly money. The first time I showed up at her door, I could tell she was concerned and afraid of me. When I explained the reason for my visit, she began to relax. Since then, she’s offered me coffee, and we’ve exchanged pleasantries.

Adriana coming with me the last time was a great idea on my part. Elisa was so focused on my daughter that she let down her guard, and I got to see her caring nature firsthand. I know that she cared for her husband, but to the rest of the family, she’s been elusive, some might even say cold. I don’t believe that for a second. If she’s been avoiding the other women and wives inUltimo Morte,she must have a reason.

The gates open to Raffaele’s estate as soon as the guard recognizes me. The place is a fortress. It would take an army to break into this place, and even if they did, there are more men surrounding the house to head them off. Raffaele takes Evangeline’s safety seriously, especially after what happened not that long ago.Fuego Demonios,a gang that was founded in Mexico, created a chapter in New York. The fight was betweenLa Famigliaand this gang, but Evangeline was sucked into it because of the past. I’m glad Raffaele is cautious, because Adriana lives on this property, and we both want to protect our families.

As soon as I park the car, Elisa starts to open her door.

“Wait for me,” I command. She looks over, but I’m already getting out and coming around the front of the vehicle. Her eyes follow my movements. I open the door and stretch out my hand for her to take. She does her best to hide her nervousness, but I feel her hand trembling in mine.

“Thank you,” she murmurs politely. Always polite and serious. I wonder what she would be like in the throes of passion, with her hair spread wildly on my pillow as she pants and whispers my name. Yes, I’d like to know if Elisa is how I imagine her in my bed.

I don’t bother knocking, knowing that Raffaele and Evangeline are expecting us. I’m sure the front guard at the gate has already informed them that we’ve arrived. In the distance, I can hear my daughter and Evangeline laughing. The sound is coming from the dining room. When we reach the doorway, the two of them are setting the table, while Adriana tells silly knock-knock jokes.

“That’s a good one.” Evangeline plays along. “Where did you hear that?”

“Mrs. Withers bought me a book of jokes, and we read them together,” Adriana tells her. At four, Adriana’s not reading yet, and it’s hard for her to sit still for any length of time, but I appreciate that Mrs. Withers does her best to find activities to keep my little girl occupied.

Adriana is the first to see me and Elisa standing in the doorway. She drops the napkins on the table and comes rushing toward us, latching onto my legs and peering up at me with the most amazing grin on her face.

“Hi, Daddy.” Since the day Adriana was born, her hugs and snuggles have made the ugliness of the world we live in disappear. For a short time, I’m just a normal guy coming home from work and spending time with my child.

I reach down and pick her up in my arms. “Hi, snuggles. Did you have a good day?”

She nods her head wildly. “We played princess today.”

“Sounds like fun.” Adriana looks at Elisa, then lunges into her arms. Elisa catches her quickly, the two of them nose to nose.

“Well, hello,” Elisa says. “It’s good to see you again.”

Adriana lowers her voice, placing her small hand on Elisa’s cheek. “Are you sad today?” My daughter remembers everything and is recalling what I told her the other day.

Elisa doesn’t lie. “A little. But today is better than yesterday. Hopefully, tomorrow will be better than today.” She even manages a smile.

“Maybe after dinner, we can play,” Adriana says. She’s sneaky, I’ll give her that.

“You’re already staying up later than you should to have dinner with us,” I respond.

“A story?” She pouts.

“Bath and one story.”

“Can Elisa read it to me?”

“I’d be glad to, if it’s all right with your dad,” Elisa answers.

By this time, Evangeline has come over to join us. “Elisa, I’m so glad you could come tonight.” Evangeline greets her with open arms, embracing Elisa with Adriana. “An Adriana sandwich,” she teases, and the three giggle. “Raffaele is in his office. Dinner will be on the table in ten minutes. Can you call him for me?” Evangeline asks of me.

“Of course. We’ll be right in,” I say and head down the hall to meet with Raffaele.

I knock once before entering to find Raffaele behind his heavy wooden desk. He’s engrossed in the papers he’s poring over.

“Must be important,” I say, interrupting his thoughts.

He exhales deeply, tossing his hand out to the papers before him. “Guido’s affairs were in a sorry state. His father was supposed to be taking care of the bills, yet I discover there’s a mound of debt, I don’t understand it. We made sure Guido had all the money he needed. Where did it go?” he grumbles.

---