I inched toward the fallen digit, snagging the finger off the floor, because yes, there was a ring. And if it was worn by a flashy mafioso, it had to be valuable.
I’d starved before.
Stealing a ring was nothing. In fact, it might just be a fair trade for his attack.
Rising, I pretended to set it on the counter. “You missed one.”
After both men looked at the ring, I took it back. The sleight of hand was subtle. It dropped neatly into my pocket. They wouldn’t suspect I’d taken it. Now, I just had to figure out how to remove bloodstains from my uniform.
“Would you like me to clean this up, signore?” I asked, forcing my accent from the words, glad that my voice didn’t shake.
Dominico looked at me. He was trying to see into the dark to make out my features. I kept back but didn’t make any other move to leave. His gaze lingered a second too long like he was trying to place me.
Or decide something.
I didn’t breathe.
Not until he shook his head. “No, that will be all.”
Exhaling softly, I nodded and turned to go.
A heavy hand fell on my shoulder a second later. It pressed gently into my shoulder.
“I don’t need to remind you that you saw nothing tonight, ragazza,” Dominico murmured.
I shook my head. “Snitches get stiches.”
A soft, husky chuckle sounded behind me, and the prince dropped his hand. I shouldn’t feel loss at that. “Have a good night then.”
“You too,” I quipped.
But at the back door, I stopped. “Dominico?”
He was already pushing through the kitchen door, phone in hand. He looked over, but I knew that he still couldn’t see me since the light was focused at my back.
“Thank you. I really…appreciate that.” I motioned toward the goon, who was currently vomiting in the sink.
Dominico inclined his head. “You’re under my protection, ragazza. No one touches what’s mine.”
His.
The possession in his tone felt personal. Or maybe that was my brain trying to process everything. Either way, those words rang in my ears, tempting me to linger. To make him recognize me.
But that would be nothing short of stupid.
It was time to get the hell out of here.
I nodded and dashed into the night. I flew down the path to the servant’s quarters, heart beating wildly in my chest. The fear was gone. Justice had been served. And I had a small prize to remember the night a dark horse stepped in before something horrific happened.
I shouldn’t have liked it as much as I had.
Pausing to fish my key from the pocket of my dress, I cursed when I realized it was in my locker. The last thing I wanted was to go back. Which left waking up either my uncle or the cook. Biting my bottom lip, I took a step back, trying to see if there was a good way to climb to my bedroom window instead.
The door opened, and I nearly jumped from my skin.
Franky jolted back as he spotted me. “Rae?”
“Hi!” I lifted my hand but quickly lowered it to keep the ring hidden. “Just getting in. Where you off to?”
