Chapter 7
Ava’s POV
“You’re not my father. You can’t dictate my life!” I glared at him. “I asked for your protection, not your ownership.”
“Do you know who you’re speaking to?” he asked, trying to sound restrained, but the threat was clear.
“Why don’t you want me to go? Are you afraid I’ll uncover secrets this organization is hiding?” I asked, my voice cracking like I was on the verge of tears.
“I am only trying to protect you, Ava,” he sighed, “Do you not understand my intentions?”
I studied his face, trying to read him. He didn’t seem angry, just… intensely determined to keep me from going north. Why the threats, though? All over a fake letter?
And yes, I’d faked it. I was desperate. I needed to know why they’d left my uncle behind.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “Okay, I get it.”
“You’re staying here,” he stated flatly. “Don’t do anything stupid. My men will be watching you.” He then called to his guard, “Please escort Miss Ava out.”
Ugh, why was he doing this? I felt like a prisoner. Was this his idea of protection? All I wanted was to go to northern Italy and find out if Caspian and Erica had anything to do with my uncle’s death.
Frederick, the bodyguard assigned to me, stood tall and imposing, his face stoic. I didn’t want a bodyguard. “You,” I said.
“Me?” he asked, his voice calm.
“Yes, you. I don’t
nt you following me. And just tell the Don, I won’t go to northern Italy.” I walked towards. my car, but he still trailed behind me.
I turn to face him, “Frederick, right?”
“Yes, Miss Ava.”
“We went to the same school, the same training grounds,” I sighed, frustration evident in my voice. “Is it really necessary for you to follow me everywhere?”
He replied, “Well, I could watch you without you noticing. Would that be acceptable? The thing is, I can’t afford to lose my job. You know the Don’s temper; he could fire–or worse–kill me in an instant if I disobeyed him.”
I gave him a small, tight smile. “Fine.”
Turning away, I got into my car and drove off. By the time I reached the villa, my stomach was growling. I headed straight for the kitchen, where Flora, the kitchen maid, immediately placed a plate of food in front of
Ine.
“Hello, Miss Ava. You haven’t eaten since this morning, so we saved this for you.”
“Thank you, Flora,” I said, offering her a genuine smile.
Alter washing my hands, I sat in the dining room and began to cat. The food was delicious, and it had been a long time since I’d enjoyed a meal in such peace. At the Pavlov house, every meal was a chaotic affair.
304PM & c-
Chapter 7
Here, alone, the quiet was a welcome change.
+B Pearls
Cecille came into the dining room, looking all flustered. “Miss Ava, there’s like twenty of the Don’s men outside. Double what was there before.”
I swallowed a mouthful of food and took a drink of water. “Yeah, they’re watching me. The Don’s not happy about me wanting to go north. He’s really mad. I think I’m driving him crazy.”
“He’s just trying to protect you, Miss Ava,” she said, sounding a bit worried.
“Protect me by keeping me from my uncle’s funeral? Nah, I’m leaving tonight.”
She sighed heavily. “But how are you going to get past them? There’s so many.”
I grinned at Cecille, then stood. She came closer, all worried–looking. I leaned in and whispered, “You’re gonna be me for a bit.”
Her eyes went wide. “What?”
Later, when it was dark, I handed her one of my fancy dresses. “Just stay in my bed, like, for an hour. They’ll think I’m snoozing.
She nodded, a little nervous, and I gave her a quick pat on the back. “Thanks, Cecille, you’re a lifesaver.”
“Please take care of yourself, Miss Ava.”
“I’ll be back before morning.”
I then changed into her maid’s uniform and slipped out the back door. Perfect timing, the gate was open, and one of the guards was heading to the city. All I had on me was my passport and a mastercard. “This’ll work,” I muttered to myself
I bought a ticket to Verona. Man, it felt good to be traveling alone again. So free, no one breathing down my neck. What if I just… didn’t go back?
An hour later, the train pulled into Verona. I hopped out and grabbed a taxi to my uncle’s villa, the one tucked. away in the forest. Each step I took made my heart pound. It had been too long since I’d seen him, and tonight, I’d be seeing him in a casket.
“Miss Ava, is that you?!” The woman at the gate, dressed in a black knee–length dress, wiped her tears as she approached. She had to be my uncle’s secretary, the one I’d spoken to on the phone.
“Yes, it’s me,” I replied.
“Please, come inside,” she said. As we walked, I glanced around at the unfamiliar faces. Then she said. “I’m Melissa, by the way. I’m so sorry I haven’t called. I’ve been… shattered by the boss’s passing.”
“I want to see him.”
We walked inside, and there he was. My uncle, lying in his casket, looking peaceful. Tears streamed down my face; my heart was breaking for him.
“They abandoned him in the battle. The transaction went south because Erica pulled the trigger and killed one of the Russian family bosses. That’s why it turned into a bloodbath. They wanted Caspian dead too, and your uncle… he saved Caspian’s life. He thought of you… he didn’t want you to have a dead husband.”
My breath hitched, a raw, disbelieving sound escaping me. “What…” I pressed a trembling hand to my chest, tears welling up in my eyes. “Why would he do that?”
Chapter 7
248–Pearls
Just then, the double doors swung open, and my gaze snapped towards the sudden intrusion. My eyes widened. It was Fabio. He stood there, stark in a dark suit, his expression hardening when he saw me. “Ava…
Oh, shit, he’s here.
