Chapter 106

CESARE

I charge down the hall and up the stairs, skidding past shrieking staff. Sofia stands at my bedroom door, looking like she's speaking to someone inside.

Please let it be Rosalind.

I stumble to a halt, panting like a dog, fighting the urge to shove Sofia inside and barrel into the room. She steps away from the door, staring at me with her brows raised.

"Miranda wanted some of the pastries she had last time," Sofia says. "I'm trying to work out which ones you gave her. She only remembers that they were crumbly."

My breath catches, and my legs nearly buckle with relief. They're still here? The darkest part of me thought Rosalind would take my absence as her chance to escape.

"It was something I took from the pantry," I mutter.

"Why don't I take her downstairs and she can choose what she wants for breakfast?" Sofa says with a smile.

"Thank you," I rasp.

Sofia pulls me into a hug. "I heard what you did last night. Thank you."

I hug back. "He took things too far when he went after you, but Tommy is still alive. I won't stop until the last of the assholes who broke up our family are dead."

"Let me take your sister downstairs for a few hours, to give you two time to talk," she says, her eyes bright.

My brows rise. Sofia knows everything that happens in this household.

Miranda shuffles out through the door with her shoulders hunched, her tiny frame swimming in my black silk pajamas. I've never seen her look so guarded. Not even on the day I abducted her from outside her academy.

"Hey," she says, her voice soft.

"Morning, love," I say with a smile.

She lowers her lashes. "Rosa told me."

I step forward, closing the distance until we're only a few feet apart. "Told you what?"

"Everything," she whispers, her head bowing.

My gaze darts toward the door, and it takes a millisecond for me to register what she's saying. Reaching for her narrow shoulders, I lean in close.

"Everything?"

She nods. "That man from last night was your dad… And mine."

I swallow hard, my chest tightening. "That's right, love. We're siblings."

She tilts up her head and stares up at me through teary eyes. "You're not mad?"

"Miranda," I say, my words choked. "I always wanted a little brother or sister, and I never dreamed my wish would come true."

A sob catches in her throat, and her hands rise to cover her face. The sight of her so upset pulls on my heartstrings, and I draw her in for a hug.

"Is that alright with you, love?" I ask, my heart squeezing.

She nods into my chest.

"Then why all the tears?"

"I don't know," she says.

Rocking Miranda from side to side, I revel in our closeness, already suspecting the reason for the tears. We have more than a parent in common. She just discovered she was conceived by sexual assault, something that's still a raw wound in my heart.

I want to protect this little girl with my life.

"So, Rosalind told you everything?"

"Yes," she says.

"Then you know you have a mother who loves you more than anything?"

Her body trembles. "I ruined her life."

I glance at the door, looking to Sofia for inspiration, but she's already slipped inside to give us some privacy. With a sigh, I hug Miranda closer and press my lips into her temple.

"Your mother is the strongest woman I know," I murmur into her hair. "And do you know why?"

She shakes her head.

"It's because she has you. When she's around you, her whole face lights up, like you're the sun. You didn't ruin her life, love. You saved it."

"How?"

"Because you gave her a reason to survive, even at her lowest. Want to know something else?" I ask.

"What?"

"I fell in love with her after seeing how she was with you."

"No, you didn't."

"It's true," I say. "Don't get me wrong. I was always obsessed, but seeing you together made me realize what I was missing. I wanted her to love me as much as she loved you."

Miranda finally lifts her head to gaze up at me with so much vulnerability and hope my heart melts.

"I'm so proud to have you as my little sister," I say.

She blinks away the tears. "Really?"

"Really. I finally have a little princess I can spoil. You're all mine."

Cheeks turning pink, she gives me a trembling smile. "I'm glad you're my brother, Cesare."

Her words fill my heart with a warmth I haven't felt since before Dad died. Pushing a strand of hair off her face, I tuck it behind her ear and smile. "So am I, love."

She throws her arms around my neck. "Thank you!"

I swing her around, my heart soaring. This is the best possible outcome. Two brothers who still accept me even though I'm not a Montesano and a bonus sister.

"Thank you for saving me last night," she says, her voice choked with emotion. "I used to think Rosa was exaggerating when she said the world was full of predators, but those men were the worst."

Setting her to her feet, I cup her cheek. "You'll never have to face anyone like that again. I'll kill anyone who even looks at you funny."

She blinks away tears. "Promise?"

"I swear on my life," I say, meaning every word.

Her eyes soften. "I knew you would come for me," she says, her voice breathy. "And I never realized how much Rosa loved me until now."

"She's not the only one, love."

We hug again, before Sofia emerges from behind the door and leads Miranda down the hallway for breakfast. I stare after them, my heart bursting with love. At the same time, my stomach roils with dread.

Miranda's affection for me was never in question, but Rosalind is another story. She's never wanted to discuss our future, but now there's no avoiding it.

I step into the room, my heart pounding, unsure if she'll choose to stay or leave.