Page 26 of Tailored for You

Serena opened her mouth, then shut it and nodded.

I put my gun in the back of my waistband as I helped Serena stand. Once she was on her feet, I went around her to Harper, who had slept through all the chaos. I picked her up, tucked the blanket around her, and adjusted my hold so she was using my shoulder as a pillow.

“Come. Let’s get out of here.” I wrapped my other arm around Serena and guided her out of the room, stopping only to tell her to put her slippers on.

We walked through the studio. I did my best to block the mess of tables and fabric from Serena’s view, not that we could see much in the darkness.

Donovan and Angelo weren’t there, but they knew what to do if something like this ever happened, so I wasn’t concerned.

Step by step, we went down the stairs to the car on the sidewalk, which was still running. Serena climbed into the backseat, and I laid Harper down beside her the girl’s head resting in her mother’s lap.

I put the car in drive and took us home.

The car ride was silent, which helped me contain my rage. Serena petted Harper’s head with her eyes closed as tears fell, gutting me with each one.

For each drop, I’d make them suffer. They would beg, cry, and plead before they died, feeling as scared as Serena had.

I missed the turn. It took an extra ten minutes to turn around and get back on track.

By the time I got us home, there were five cars parked along the curb. I drove into the garage, turned off the car, and got out. Opening Serena’s door, I guided her out of the car and cradled Harper against my chest.

The door that led into the house opened. One of my men gave me a nod, holding the door as we passed. Serena stared ahead, not acknowledging anyone. With an arm around her, I nudged her up the stairs and into my bedroom, tucking both of them in.

I crouched next to Serena, smoothing her hair. She let out a shuddering breath and turned her gaze to me.

“Sleep. You’re safe,” I whispered. She blinked at me. I wanted to climb into bed and hold them.

We weren’t there yet, but we would be soon.

For now, I needed everyone to know that they were untouchable.

What if I decided not to drive by? What if I were late? What if...

The questions circled in my head as I twisted Serena’s hair around my finger.

Serena pressed her forehead against my finger, closing her eyes.

“Promise?” she whispered.

“I will always keep you safe, mio tesoro. Anyone who thinks of bothering you won’t live for long after,” I whispered back.

“That’s dark.”

“It’s the truth.”

Harper whimpered, the noise burrowing into my soul. Serena turned from me, wrapping her arms around her daughter.

I tiptoed out of my room, leaving the door open but turning all the lights off.

I stayed in the doorway, watching them. They were finally in my house, where I could take care of them. I knew Serena was going to fight me on it, but I was ready for anything she could come up with.

For now, they were here, safe, and close.

I went downstairs, where the men I’d rallied stood in the kitchen. All it took was one message, and they showed up without question, ready to take orders.

Each of them was younger, under twenty-five, but I trusted them. When Marcello, Rafael, and I first came to this country, we knew we had to influence and focus on the younger generation to create what we’d dreamed of.

The older generation held sway, but only because there were no other leaders at the time. Marcello’s father was a joke, and we were fractured.