If Domenic was able to find out about my cabin, some of the other capos probably could, too. They had almost limitless connections using their money and intimidation.
And that made me nervous.
The war between the families was undeniably going to get ugly fast, and the Sorellos would want an eye for an eye.
And that meant a child for a child. Finding Gianina would be their number one priority, and if they found out I was involved, they would start digging into my life.
Gripping the steering wheel tighter, I let out a frustrated breath.Why did I agree to this again?
I tried not to think about the situation since it was out of my control. I’d agreed to the job, and I had to deal with the consequences. I needed to focus on what I could control and do the best I could with the circumstances I’d been dealt.
What was good about my cabin was that it was nestled on the back end of several acres. The drive from the main road to the actual cabin was more than a mile of rough terrain surrounded by trees.
So if the Sorellos did discover the location of my cabin, they still had their work cut out for them to actually find us.
Once we got to the cabin, Gianina was still asleep. I couldn’t even imagine how drained she was after what she went through.
A smirk curved my lips as I thought about the tiny mob princess defending herself against someone almost twice her size. She had some balls on her.
It was still dark out, but the sun would be rising soon. I decided to leave the car on while I got one of the rooms ready for Gianina, then I would carry her inside.
Nostalgia warmed me despite the chilly air as I got out of my car and looked at the cabin that had been a pillar in my life for as long as I could remember.
I just hoped it was still standing when this trip was over.
When I went inside and turned the lights and heater on, everything was just as we’d left it the last time. I’d come with my parents that summer so it wasn’t too dusty.
Opening up the room my brother and I shared when we were kids, I looked around. I couldn’t help but laugh as I thought about Gianina staying in that room and how it was nothing like the accommodations she was used to. The whole cabin was smaller than the penthouse suite we’d just come from.
And it definitely wasn’t Fiji.
I pulled back the covers on the bed. Then I went out to the car to get Gianina and carried her to the bed, laid her down, then covered her.
A smile inexplicably curved my lips. Her mouth was wide open and it was one of the most adorable things I’d ever seen. She’d be mortified if something like this was posted on her precious social media.
When I realized I was grinning like a fool, I forced myself to stop.
Get a hold of yourself, Enz.
I went back outside to get everything out of the back, then turned off the car. I took one of the extra comforters we’d bought and laid it on top of Gianina. Then, I turned off the light and closed the door behind me.
I decided to make some coffee. I wouldn’t be able to sleep until I got some security set up. Even though Domenic said we would have at least a week, I wanted to be prepared. I was a worst-case scenario type of guy, and that would be the Sorellos on my doorstep tomorrow.
After organizing my weapons, getting my motion sensors and flood lights set up, then reinforcing the locks on the doors and windows, I was satisfied that was enough until tomorrow. Even though I hadn’t been through a traumatic event like Gianina, I hadn’t slept in over twenty-four hours and I was wiped.
I went into the master bedroom and kicked my shoes off. Then I collapsed on the bed, knocking out as soon as my head hit the pillow.
The sound of dishes clattering startled me awake. It took a few seconds for me to realize where I was.
And who I was with.
I sprang out of bed, then went out to the adjoining living room. From there, I saw Gianina fumbling around in the kitchen.
When she saw me, she froze, wincing. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
I shrugged. “It’s okay. I need to get everything situated here anyway.”
Her full lips formed a sad pout. I frowned when I noticed the bruising on her cheek. “I’m sorry. I wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done so far so I thought I’d try to cook breakfast.”
