Page 112 of Ruthless Secrets
Alio had previously spent years working for my father before he died, so I know he can handle himself. Although, he ended up walking away from the family business when Andre took over.
I remember feeling hurt at the time but after learning the shit my father did behind all of our backs, I don’t blame him. If it weren’t for my father, none of us would be in this mess.
I turn in my seat and offer Clara a warm smile. “It’s just for a little while.”
She swallows hard as she strokes Zoe’s hair, her eyes shining with tears. “I know.”
I wish I could stay with her, but I can’t put all of this responsibility on Andre. He’s leaving his wife and child behind in order to protect our family, and I have to do the same.
After helping Clara and Zoe out of the car, I approach Alio, who offers me a grim smile.
Alio claps me on the shoulder. “I wish we were meeting under different circumstances.”
“I appreciate you and Marissa doing this for my brother and me.”
“Of course. You are family. Besides, having the children around will be good for Marissa.”
I nod, my throat too thick with emotion to speak as I watch Marissa hurry over to Lila to help with Holly.
My cousin and his wife were never able to have children of their own. They suffered multiple miscarriages before determining that parenthood was not in their future.
If Alio hadn’t agreed to help, I’m not sure what Andre and I would have done. We might know plenty of safe houses, but none as secure as this, and even then we couldn’t guarantee that Alfonzo and Tommaso wouldn’t know about them already.
“This cannot be darling little Rosa.” Alio smiles as my sister gets out of the car, her eyes bloodshot and her cheeks tearstained. He chuckles, holding his hand barely a foot off the ground. “You were this tall the last time I saw you.”
Rosa looks at me anxiously, and I nod. My cousin is a good man, and he will protect my sister like she is his own.
Rosa shifts her weight from one foot to the other. “Do you have to go?”
I didn’t tell her as much as I told Clara, but Rosa is smart. She knows all too well the danger that comes with what Andre and I do. I can see it in her eyes that she realizes this might be the last time she sees me.
Lila appears at her side and wraps an arm around my sister’s shoulders. “Your brothers will be back before you know it.”
I don’t think I’ve ever felt so grateful to Lila than I have at this moment. Despite the danger she is currently in, she’s managing to stay so calm for my sister and for Clara.
“Be good.” I flick Rosa on the nose. “Otherwise, you’ll have me to answer to.”
She manages to roll her eyes like usual, which has my lips twitching.
I give Lila a hug and kiss Holly before finally turning to face Clara and Zoe.
This is the part that is going to hurt like hell.
Zoe, now wide awake despite it being the early hours of the morning, squirms in Clara’s arms as she tries to reach for me.
“Come here, princess.” I take her from Clara and hold her tightly against my chest. “Daddy loves you very much.”
I press my lips against her dark hair.
When I glance up, fresh tears roll down Clara’s cheeks.
Alio steps closer to place a reassuring hand on Clara’s shoulder.
“We’ll keep them safe. You know that.”
“I do.”
He’s the only reason I’m able to walk away, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
