Page 211 of Merciless Daddy

“Fine. You go,” he said.

“Really?”

“Yes. I don’t own you. You are your own woman.”

“Thank you for being understanding.”

He nodded.

“Of course, I will be outside the room.”

“Not in it.”

“No. Not in it.”

I met his eyes.

“You promise you will not answer for me?”

“I promise.”

That night, Kiryl called from the ranch.

Tonio’s kitchen showed behind him. Bright lights. Too many pots. A guard crossed the background carrying a tray of something that steamed.

After we exchanged greetings, Kiryl said something that surprised me. “You’re scared about tomorrow.”

“No, not scared.”

“Lena, don’t lie.”

I sighed.

“Fine. Yes, I’m scared. I feel like we’re close to being free, but the last step is so difficult. I don’t want to have to justify myself to this person. It’s going to be tough.”

His expression softened.

“Of course, sis. But that’s how you know it’s worth doing. We can do easy things all day long. It’s the hard ones that matter.”

“Ok, when did you grow up?”

“I’ll see you at breakfast the next morning,” he said, laughing. “You can tell me how badly you frightened the examiner.”

“I do not frighten people.”

He stared.

“Fine,” I said. “I frighten people who deserve it.”

“That’s my sister. Attagirl”

Sal stepped into view behind me. He rested his hand at the back of my chair.

“Kiryl,” he said. “You will move tomorrow under Tonio and Pietro’s protection. You stay with people you know. Soon we’re going to move against Gianni.”

Kiryl nodded.

“And Lena?” he asked.