What if the thing causing her harm is her own body?
I have spent my life learning how to stand between my family and danger. Men with guns. Men with knives. Men with greed in their hearts and blood on their hands.
But this?
This is an enemy I can’t threaten into submission.
I don’t like that.
Stefano follows my gaze, then hums under his breath.
“You’re already in trouble,fratello.”
“I’m simply gathering information. Her daughter said she has Raynaud's.”
“You’ve already texted Luca, haven’t you?”
I say nothing…He laughs.
“You absolutely did.”
“She lost part of a finger because of this condition,” I say, my voice low. “Her daughter worries about her. Watches her. That’s not a burden a child should carry.”
“No,” Stefano agrees softly. “It’s not.”
Mia turns then, laughing at something the photographer says.
The sound drifts across the space between us, bright enough to pull at something inside me I thought had long since gone silent.
Stefano nudges my arm with his elbow.
“Careful, Mav.”
I keep my eyes on her.
“I’m always careful.”
“No,” he says, still watching me. “You’re controlled. There’s a difference.”
I glance at him but he simply smiles.
Annoying man.
Before I can answer, the goat on the yoga woman’s back lets out a triumphant bleat, and the woman collapses forward onto her mat with a startled laugh.
Stefano grins.
“I want one.”
“No.”
“You don’t know what I was going to say.”
“You want a goat.”
“I do.”
“No.”
