Little Queen

32

Idalia's POV
:::

My heart feels tight after the phone call ended with Ranger, like every beat is a bit shorter than it should be. Tears are streaming down my face and I'm trying my hardest to not sob while Draven calls men in and out of his office. My fingers grip the necklace at my collarbone, an edge of the gold star digging into the soft pad of my pointer finger. I take a shuttering breath, dropping back against the wall for support.

Draven's head turns to me as one man exits and another enters. I can feel his eyes taking in my slumped form but don't have it in me to stand back up. Ranger's voice sounded so final on the phone like he was saying goodbye when he said I love you. If any of them get hurt it's going to be my fault.

Thick arms wrap around my torso and then I'm sitting, surrounded by warmth. Draven's thick thighs cradle me nearly as well as his arms do. He presses his plump lips against my temple with a hand cupping the side of my head.

"I'm going to take care of this little one, don't worry."

I take a deep breath and press my nose into the junction between his neck and shoulder. I know he wants to protect me, he promised my papa he would but this isn't something he can control. Not right now at least, not when he's halfway around the world from wherever my family is. Draven continues to pet his hand over my hair and back while he gives his men their orders and makes phone calls to anyone he thinks may help.

It feels like a life time has gone by, my eyes are exhausted and despite my best efforts they keep sliding closed. Just as I'm about to give in Trovato saunters through the door with a stride that only he could pull off.

I perk up at the familiar face and give him a tired smile.

His eyes flicker away from Draven and down to me, "Hello little queen."

"Are you going to help Gunner and Ranger?" I ask twisting my fingers together.

His icy eyes melt a little, "Questo è il piano."

(That's the plan)

I gnaw on my bottom lip drawing blood from the already raw skin.

Tears begin to blur my vision again, "please don't let my family get hurt, please."

Trovato walks around Draven's desk and bends so we are face to face. I can feel Draven eyeing him warily but Trovato doesn't seem to care.

"I am going to do everything in my power to make sure they come out of this in one piece, va bene little girl?"

(Okay little girl?)

I sniffle and nod my head trying my best to calm down again. 

"There are very few people I call friend, Ranger and gunner are two of them. So wipe those tears away, you don't have to worry."

I throw my arms around him before he can stand up.

"Grazie mille Trovato," I say squeezing him tight.

(Thank you so much Trovato)

"Non... menzionarlo" he chokes out with a hand pushing against my waist. He lightly shoves me back into Draven's lap and stands to his full height.

(Don't.... mention it.)

Draven's arms tighten around my waist as I settle back into him, "Tienimi aggiornato e ottenere questo pasticcio capito."

(Keep me updated and get this mess figured out.)

I finally let my eyes slide closed. I can't hear Trovato ghost out of the room but I know he is gone when Draven's muscles relax beneath me.