Page 23 of Her Dream Mafia Daddy

She had to.

Chapter 11

Eamon

Rage filled him like a burning fire. He was going to fucking kill her ex, slowly, painfully, and cruelly. He had sent a message to his twin brother, Theo, asking for backup from the family in Atlanta, GA. He needed reinforcements to keep everyone safe, and he knew Theo would help without question.

“Ok, Daphne, I need you to tell me everything. Starting with when you got this message.”

“Are you sure the room is safe, and you trust everyone in here? I’m scared.” Tears fell down her cheeks, her wobbly voice breaking his heart.

“Yes, sweet girl, I do. This room is protected and has special features that block signals. And these are my best men. They would never do anything to betray me or the oath they took.” He rubbed soothing circles on her wrist, trying to calm the panicked look on her face.

“He’s right. We are family and we take that shit seriously. No one here would ever harm a single hair on your head. We would also never turn you over to an abusive ex or allow him anywhere near you.” Eamon was thankful for his brother and hoped his words would soothe her.

“I got the message right before Kiera and I started painting. I didn’t know what to do, so I just decided to think about my next step. I was going to run away tonight and leave and take the danger away from you all, but I am terrified of the bears and I hate hiking so getting off this mountain and to my car wasn’t a viable option. Plus, I figured if anyone can keep us safe, it’s you guys.”

“I am very glad you did not decide to hike this mountain in the dark, Little girl. And I am very glad you decided to trust us.”

“I just don’t know what to do. I know you are dangerous, but he is the unhinged kind of dangerous and I don’t want to get hurt. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.” Her sobs broke him and he pulled her onto his lap, rubbing her back and speaking in soft, hushed tones.

“I’m s-sorry to cry all over you. I’m just scared and I don’t want to be. I don’t want him to have that power over me anymore.”

“You are allowed to cry all over me anytime you want, Daphne. I will always be here for you.”

“You’re just saying that because you are Damian’s best friend,” she huffed at him.

“I am not. But we will have that conversation later. For now, we need to keep you both safe, which means you cannot leave the estate for any reason. Not even to go out to the barn. I texted Theo, and he is sending more men to help protect the perimeter and help us find Callum.”

“Wait…you know who my ex is? But I never told you his name! How did you know that? Have you told Damian?” She rattled her questions off so quickly he had a hard time keeping track.

“Yes, I know who your ex is. I have known for a while, and yes, Damian knows. I couldn’t keep it from him.”

“Ugh! I don’t want him to go after him! He will try to kill him and then he’ll end up in prison and Emma and Ferris will hate me forever and I’ll lose my family and…and…and…”

“Take a breath, Daphne. No one is going to prison, I promise. Damian is letting me handle this because of that very reason. We have been looking for him for very different reasons, but your situation just adds fuel to the fire.”

“What other reasons are those?”

“He is a known abuser, and he is trying to start a strip club in the next town over and he is trafficking young women and children. We want to stop him, and we will. I promise.”

“He’s an asshole and a douchebag and a dick and I hate him.”

“He is all of those things and more.” His lips twitched at her use of language and while it made his palm twitch, he would let her have that without chastising her.

“So you’re going to stop him? You’re going to save those girls?” She looked up at him, hope filling her eyes.

“Yes, Daphne. We are going to stop him.”

“Good. I hope he rots in hell.” Her scowl was absolutely adorable, and he couldn’t help but chuckle as he kissed the top of her head. She melted into him, and he was never letting her go.

“Is there anything else you can tell us about him? Why he is here and not out west?”

“He wanted to be in the mafia out there. He used that to keep me silent. He told me that if I ever stepped a foot out of line, he would send his boss after me to kill me. I knew how evil he was, so I just believed it. He kept me isolated from Damian for a long time, but allowed me enough contact that he didn’t get suspicious. As far as why he’s here…I don’t know, honestly. I can only assume that he is trying to prove that he has what it takes by starting this thing over here.”

“Did he ever give you a name of any of his contacts? Or did you ever overhear a name?”

“No, I’m sorry. I thought it was best to not ask questions. Questions got me beat. And I know the difference between a spanking and a beating. I don’t like to be beat.”