Page 69 of The Don

Rose hugs Eliza once again before releasing her and walking over to me. She wraps her arms around me and whispers, “Thank you for being so good to my sister. I owe you an eternal debt.”

I awkwardly pet her back as I try to step backward. “You owe me nothing, Rose,” I reply in a small voice so Eliza doesn’t hear.

She releases me from her hug and smiles. “Thank you, Ruben.” Her words carry more weight than either Dominic or Eliza know.

I acknowledge her with a slight nod as Eliza steps in beside me. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her close, where she belongs. Dominic and Rose leave, and I feel Eliza tremble in my arms. “Hey,” I say as I turn and wrap her into my body. “What’s wrong?”

Eliza buries her head into my chest and covers her face with her hands. “I’m so happy for Rose.”

My girl has been through hell, and she’s crying tears of happiness for her sister. Eliza is simply amazing. And I’m the lucky bastard that gets to show her how remarkable she is every fucking day for the rest of my life.

“Where are we going?” Eliza asks as she nervously plays with her fingertips while looking out of the window for clues.

“Somewhere.” I splay my hand on her thigh and squeeze.

“That’s not helping.” She lifts her hand to her mouth and nibbles on her nails.

“Stop it.” I tap her hand away from her mouth.

“But you’re not telling me anything.”

I do enjoy that she’s finding her confidence with me. A woman with a backbone is a damn turn-on. “You’re right, I’m not.”

“Sir,” Dante says from the front. I look over to him where he gives me a knowing nod.

Eliza’s eyes dart between Dante and me as she eagerly shifts forward, waiting for more to be said. “Oh come on,” my woman says on a sigh. “Will I like it?”

“I wouldn’t take you anywhere you wouldn’t enjoy.”

“I wish Storm was here.”

“You don’t need him where we’re going.”

Eliza continues to nervously play with her fingertips and fidget in her seat until we make the turnoff up the long driveway. “Oh my God,” she damn near squeals and brings both hands up to cover her mouth. “We’re going to the zoo?”

My woman turns toward me and lowers her hands. “But it’s nearly dark and probably going to close soon.”

“More than likely.” I can’t stop watching her reaction. She’s truly adorable, and clueless. We arrive at the entry and other than a dozen or so cars, it’s quite isolated.

Dante exits the car and walks around to my side to open the door. I slide out first and look around. “Everyone’s in position, sir.”

“Good.” I extend my arm for Eliza, and when she places her small hand into mine, I help her out of the car.

She looks around and crinkles her brows. “It’s not busy at all.”

“No, it isn’t.”

My security team fan out with Dante walking behind us. “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Sacco. We’d like to welcome you to Paradise Hope Zoo. My name is Lucy and I’ll be your guide tonight.” Lucy is a young and overly bubbly woman who looks way too cheerful to be here at this time in the afternoon.

“Thank you,” Eliza says with a happy chirp.

“We’re going to start toward the left where I’ll take you through the bird enclosures, then we’ll go on to the Australian animals, leading into the African animals, where dinner will be served.” Lucy chuckles and stops talking, tilting her head to the side. “That makes it sound like you’re going to be their dinner. You’re not.”

Eliza giggles and nestles into me. My woman is smiling, and that makes me fucking happy. “I’d hope not,” Eliza says.

“No, I can assure you, you won’t be for dinner.” Lucy looks to me and clears her throat. “At any time if you’d like me to stop for a break, or if you have any questions, please let me know. Paradise Hope Zoo is also an animal sanctuary. We rescue animals that have come from horrific conditions and nurse them back to health.”

“Really?” Eliza asks.

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