Stella (Book One of Dark Souls Series)

Bottarga

*~*
Cena- the meal of the day that is eaten around evening time.
*~*

"Mamma, when is Adonis coming home?"

I looked up from the book I was reading. Eva had waltzed her way into our bedroom. She had on her tutu and ballet slippers.

"He'll be home soon," I replied as I turned the page of my book. It was my fourth time today giving her that answer.

I stopped her before she could leave the room. "Why don't you and I talk until he gets here?"

She turned to me. "I don't know what to say to you," she mumbled quietly, looking away from me.

I sat up on the bed. "Cosa intendi?" I asked her.

She sighed and sat down on the bed. I scooted to the edge of the bed so that we could be next to each other.

She looked down at her lap before she started fidgeting with her fingers. She got that from me.

"Where were you all of these years?" she asked me. Her lips were in a pout. For the first time in the two weeks we've been together, disappointment and sadness was on her face.

I felt my posture weaken. "I was here," I responded softly.

She looked up at me with her huge green eyes. "Why did you let me leave?"

I took her hands in mine. "I didn't leave you," I whispered as I tucked her curly hair behind her ear. "But, I couldn't afford to be with you."

She searched my face, and I could tell she was trying to detect a lie. God, she was too much like me. "Is this because of what daddy did to you?"

I sucked in a breath. It seemed like Eva has made up her mind about Daniel. I wanted to protect his image in her mind since he was her father.

"Eva, what do you think about moving to Italy?" I asked her.

If I worked things out properly, she could move here. This wouldn't have to be dragged through court. Adonis wouldn't have to owe his family because of this favor they were doing for me.

I would get my money from Gio's place and open Eva a bank account. That way, she will never have to be in the positions I was in.

For some reason, she looked angry. "You never answer my questions about daddy," she huffed as she crossed her arms.

I was shocked.

"Adonis told me that daddy did terrible things to you, and he hurt you a lot," she said. "Even daddy said he did it and you won't even talk about it."

Oh, he was going to get it when he got home.

"He did, Eva, but you have to understand that he wasn't in his right mind," I said with a frown. It didn't sound right coming out of my mouth, and she didn't believe me.

"You said daddy was drunk, but Adonis said that he wasn't drunk any of those times he hit-"

"Adonis doesn't always know what he is talking about."

Her eyes widened at my harsh tone. I watched as her lip quivered and her eyes watered.

"Eva-"

Before I could get another word out, she ran out of the room.

I groaned in irritation and got up to go after her.

The elevator dinged and the devil himself entered the living room.