Page 34 of Ruined By Protection
"As far as I could tell he was typical Damiano." I shrug. "All business, minimal bullshit."
"So the usual," she says with a knowing smile. "Brooding but functional."
"Exactly. Though he did invite me to dinner. Ettore's making carbonara."
Zoe's eyes light up. "Oh, then he must be in a good mood. He knows that's your favorite. See you later then" She tilts her head, heading to the office.
I watch her disappear into Damiano's office, envying the easy relationship she and Damiano have built. Despite all the darkness in his past Zoe somehow found a way to his heart—and more impressively, got him to admit it.
Hazel
I don't remember falling asleep. The last thing I recall is sinking into the most comfortable mattress ever and my body finally giving in to exhaustion after days of fear and tension.
A sharp knock jolts me awake. For a terrifying second I think I'm back in Austin—or that Elliott has found me. My heart hammers my ribs as I sit bolt upright.
"Hazel? You in there?" Evelyn's voice filters through the door and relief washes over me.
"Yeah, come in," I call out, my voice still rough with sleep.
The door opens and Evelyn steps inside, looking perfectly put together in a navy blue dress that hugs her curves. Her dark hair falls in soft waves around her shoulders.
"Hey there, Sleeping Beauty." She smiles, crossing the room to sit on the edge of the bed. "You should start getting ready for dinner."
I rub my eyes, trying to clear the fog from my brain. "Dinner?"
"Yes, dinner. That meal normal people eat in the evening?" She smirks. "You must be starving. You haven't eaten anything since you got here."
My stomach growls on cue and I realize she's right. Between the stress of fleeing Austin and the shock of seeing Matteo again, food has been the last thing on my mind.
"What time is it?" I ask, glancing around for a clock.
"Almost six. Dinner's at seven." Evelyn stands and walks to the massive closet in the corner of the room. "Let's find you something to wear."
I push back the covers and swing my legs over the side of the bed, wincing as my bruised ribs protest the movement. The pain is a stark reminder of why I'm here.
"I brought clothes," I say, gesturing toward my small carry-on.
Evelyn glances at my bag with a look that's almost pitying. "No offense but I'm guessing you packed in a hurry. Besides, Lucrezia insisted I help you find something nice from the guest wardrobe."
She throws open the closet doors to reveal rows of clothing in various sizes and styles. "The Ferettis keep this stocked for guests who need something to wear."
"That's... thoughtful," I say, unable to hide my surprise. It seems excessive to keep an entire wardrobe just for visitors.
As Evelyn rifles through the clothing options a question that's been nagging at me since the airport finally bubbles to the surface.
"Evelyn," I start, keeping my voice discreet even though we're alone, "these people... are they criminals?"
Her hands pause on a hanger and she turns to face me. For a moment she just looks at me, her expression unreadable.
"They're mafia, Hazel."
My jaw literally drops. I knew something was off—the mansion, the security, the way Noah and Matteo carry themselves like men accustomed to, even looking for, violence—but hearing it confirmed feels like being doused in ice water.
"Mafia?" I repeat, my voice barely above a whisper. "Like, actual mafia? With guns and... and..."
"They're Italian," Evelyn says simply, as if that explains everything. "Well, except Noah. He's Mexican-American. But yes, the Feretti family is one of the most powerful crime families in New York."
I sink back onto the bed, my legs suddenly too weak to support me. "And you're... what? Dating one of them?"
