Page 44 of Married to the Enemy

Trying to control his panic at the possibility that she’d been hurt, Raffe walked over slowly, then crouched down by the front wheel. The cuts were deep, deliberate, straight through the sidewall. Somebody hadn’t been in a hurry. They’d taken their time, making sure to fully destroy each tire.

“It’s him,” Mia hissed behind him. “My father. Who else could it be?”

He stood up, blinking down at her. This was the first time she’d mentioned her father. For a moment, he stood very still. “Why would your father do this?” he asked.

She swallowed, looked down at the slashed tires, then back up at him. This was it. Was she going to tell him? Or keep that secret. The secret that was keeping them apart. She made her decision.

“You probably don’t know, but my father is Vito Calvino,” she whispered, sounding ashamed. “He’s the reason I fled to Europe. To escape from him.” She blinked back tears, fighting for control. “He’s a horrible person, Raffe,” she continued in a hushed whisper. “I couldn’t tell you because…he’s dangerous.”

This was the perfect moment to tell Mia who he was. But before he could say a word, Evangeline stepped out of the house.

“Mia?” she called out, panicked.

Mia hurried to her grandmother’s side. “I’m fine,” she assured her nonna. “Besides, Raffe is here. Nothing bad is going to happen when he’s around.” She leaned over and hugged her grandmother. Then Freddy when he stepped out, his balance tentative, which meant he’d probably rushed to the door as well, pushing his healing leg harder than he should.

“You should both go back inside and finish your breakfasts. I’m off to the grocery store and,” she held up a hand when her grandmother opened her mouth to speak. “Yes, I’ll get popcorn and more ice cream.”

Evangeline and Freddy shared a look, one that implied that they were scheming together for treats.

The whole time, Raffe stood there, stunned, taking it all in. Mia’s words echoed through his head, “Raffe is here. Nothing bad is going to happen while he’s around.” For a guy who was literally sworn to protect and serve, those were powerful words. It soothed the monster that had been growling ever since he’d laid eyes on her tires.

Last night, she’d given him her body. And this morning, she’d given him her trust.

Heady stuff, he thought.

And what had he given her? Not the truth. Not even the protection she deserved.

But that was going to change. He had to make a phone call first, but yeah, things were going to change.

Evangeline and Freddy went back inside. Mia turned, walking back to stand in front of him.

“I should have told you sooner,” she whispered, staring at her toes. “I just…I wanted to keep that bastard as far away from me, from us, as possible.” Then she looked down at her car. “I guess I was naïve to think I could keep him away.”

Raffe shook his head. “I don’t think this was done by your father.”

She blinked. “Of course it’s him—”

“No,” he insisted, his tone firm. He turned, brushing grit off his palms, meeting her eyes squarely. “Vito doesn’t do petty. He wouldn’t waste time sending his soldiers to just slash someone tires. If he wanted to send you a message, he’d have someone waiting out here to snatch you the moment you bent down to look.”

Her lips parted, but no argument came. Anger still burned in her gaze, but underneath it, he saw it—the unease, the dawning realization that she didn’t know who else might be lurking.

That unsettled her more than the tires.

“I’ll find out who did this,” he promised, his voice low and reassuring. “Take my truck for your errands. I’ll handle this.” He pulled the keys out of his pocket, pressing them into her hand.

“Are you sure?” she asked, staring at the keys, then up at him.

“Absolutely. Take your time.” Then he leaned in and kissed her. It was just a light kiss, but for some reason, it meant more. More than just a kiss. It was…a promise.

The second her taillights vanished at the end of the drive, he had his phone to his ear.

“Diane.”

“You’re late,” she snapped, but he heard the underlying edge of fatigue. “You were supposed to check in last night.”

Raffe ignored her admonishment and got right to the point. “Calvino didn’t leave his house last night, right?”

He heard her typing, multitasking as always. “No. Two sets of eyes had him boxed in.”