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“You wanna learn how to kick some ass?”

“Oh yeah!” She beamed and I couldn’t help but shake my head, my face hurting from how hard I’d been smiling.

“Bed first.” He lifted her off the island. “Training starts bright and early.” He attempted the most stern tone he could and she straightened her posture.

“Yes sir.” She saluted.

CHAPTER 25

Nirah

After searching the entire house for Antonio, I grew agitated. He wasn’t anywhere to be found, and wasn’t answering his calls or texts either.

Finally, I headed to the living room. If he’s not here I swear to—

I stopped in my tracks, seeing him fast asleep on the couch. He laid with one hand behind his head and when I got closer, I noticed a small body tightly pressed to his side. Sally.

She laid between the sofa and Antonio with her head on his chest, warmly wrapped up in her blanket.

Heat bloomed in my chest as I took in the moment. She looked so peaceful, so at ease. Memories flooded my mind and suddenly, I couldn’t blame her. He did come with a different kind of warmth, and protection.

I turned around on my heels, deciding to leave them be, and entered the foyer the same time as Koren.

“Hey!” I stopped him. I waved for him to follow me into the kitchen and he did. “Antonio has been trying to find the parents of a little girl. Do you know anything about that?”

“Yes, Miss Nirah.” He pulled his laptop out from under his arm and lowered it to the island. “That’s why I came. I wanted to inform Mr. Antonio that we found them.” He explained, his fingers running over the keyboard.

He pulled up a different tab and I stopped beside him. James and Vivian Miller.

“Her parents?” I asked, scanning their profiles and he nodded.

“But, that’s not all.” He glanced at me before his fingers worked the keyboard. Then he pulled up… mugshots.

My eyebrows shot up, not having expected that and I sat down beside him.

“For exploitation of a minor,” he answered the question in my head and my stomach dropped. My eyes met his and I shook my head. “They only have one child.”

“Morning!” Sally beamed and he immediately shut the laptop.

My heart nearly leaped out of my chest as I swung around to see her skipping into the kitchen with a smile stretching from ear to ear, my t-shirt stopping at her ankles.

Koren excused himself and I hopped off the stool, rounding the island to pour myself a glass of water.

“Morning, Sally.” I offered my best smile. “You’re up early.”

“I have to be.” She flexed her arm muscles. “Antonio said training starts early.” She flexed them as hard as she possibly could and I couldn’t help but laugh. Right.

“Well, little fighter.” I took her hand in mine, leading her out and up the stairs. “Why don’t we get you ready for the day first, and then we’ll have breakfast, okay?”

“Okay!” She skipped beside me.

* * *

Antonio and I had spent hours in his office—while Rosalia kept Sally busy—as we tried to figure out what to do about our newfound information.

The mugshots were taken four years ago, and they weren’t found guilty but something about it still didn’t sit right with either of us.

Antonio’s office door closed behind Kiril after he just informed us that Sally’s parents were outside.