Chapter 66 – The Mobster's Daughter

Chapter 66 – The Mobster's Daughter
When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw was Romeu.

Of course it was Romeu.

The man seemed to have decided he'd never leave my side again.

He was sitting in a chair next to the couch.

Elbows resting on his knees.

Hands clasped together.

Watching me.

As if he were waiting for me to disappear again.

"What's with that terrified look?"

My voice came out hoarse.

Romeu got up so fast he nearly knocked over the chair.

"You're awake."

"So it seems."

"Don't do that again."

I rolled my eyes.

"Faint?"

"Yes."

"I'll add it to my list of goals."

The tension in his shoulders eased a little.

Only a little.

Because Romeu still looked like someone on the verge of losing it.

"How long did I sleep?"

"A few hours."

"A few?"

"Four."

"That explains a lot."

I sat up slowly.

My body still protested.

But my head felt better.

At least until I noticed something.

The apartment was too quiet.

"Where are Betina and David?"

Romeu made a face.

A terrible face.

"What?"

"We have a problem."

"What kind of problem?"

"Your father."

I closed my eyes.

Of course.

Had to be my father.

"Does he know I'm here?" I asked.

"He does."

"How?"

"Because he's Dom Aragão."

I sighed.

Fair enough.

Valid point.

"So now what?"

"Now he wants to take you."

"No."

Romeu arched an eyebrow.

"No?"

"No."

"Mikaella..."

"No."

Romeu ran a hand over his face.

"Do you realize you're arguing with a mobster?"

"Do you realize he's my father?"

"That doesn't help."

"Yes it does."

"It doesn't."

"It does."

"It doesn't."

"It does."

"Oh my God," he murmured. "Now I understand why you two fight so much."

I smiled.

For the first time in days.

And that made something shift in his gaze.

Something soft.

Something almost tender.

But the moment didn't last.

The apartment door opened.

David came in first.

Leona right behind him.

And neither of them looked happy.

"We've got company," David announced.

My stomach dropped.

"How many?"

"About fifteen men."

"Fifteen?"

Betina walked in right after.

"Sixteen. I counted one hiding behind the truck."

David blinked.

"You counted them?"

"Of course. I'm no amateur."

Romeu closed his eyes.

"I really do attract strange people."

"Said the man who fell in love with a mobster's daughter."

Betina answered.

"Point for her."

Leona remarked.

"What are we going to do?" I asked.

David crossed his arms.

"Run."

"Agreed," said Betina.

"Also agreed," said Leona.

"I don't like this idea," said Romeu.

Everyone looked at him.

"I don't like it because it's a good idea."

David nodded.

"Then we definitely have to do it."

"I hate you all," Romeu answered.

Nobody seemed particularly shaken by that.

Less than ten minutes later we were getting ready to leave through the back.

My father really had surrounded the building.

Of course he had.

Because being dramatic was a family talent.

David checked the route.

Leona sorted through documents.

Betina packed a bag with food.

A lot of food.

"Why did you pack five bags of cookies?" I asked.

"Survival."

"That's not survival."

"I disagree."

"Betina."

"Mikaella."

"You're impossible."

"I know."

Romeu let out a laugh.

Small.

But genuine.

And that made me realize something.

Despite everything.

Despite the kidnapping.

Despite the lies.

Despite the chaos.

I was happy he was there.

Very happy.

Maybe too happy.

David came back into the room.

His face had changed.

"We have to leave. Now. Immediately."

Silence fell over the apartment.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Your father didn't just bring henchmen."

My heart raced.

"So who did he bring?"

David looked at me.

And the answer landed like a punch.

"He came in person."

No one said a word.

Because everyone understood the same thing.

This wasn't a search anymore.

Wasn't a chase anymore.

Wasn't a game anymore.

Dom Aragão was coming to get his daughter.

And no one seemed able to stop him.