His Stolen Princess - MINK Page 0,5

I couldn’t have any more snacks until after dinner.”

“Well, I don’t think many people follow rules around here. It won’t be so bad if we break one.” I look at Cato. He motions for us to go. I return my attention to the boy and give his hand a small squeeze. “You coming?”

He repays me with a giant smile. Mischief dances in his eyes. The same ones I’ve seen thousands of times. Something lodges in my throat. I turn my head to the side and just try to breathe. Cato is there watching me. It takes everything I have not to cry, this time for real.

“Apollonia.” He says my name softly.

“Don’t.” I hiss and hold the boy's hand a little tighter. Confusion and anger start to rise again, like a tide I can’t escape. Even though I had been the one to run away from this life, I can’t believe I didn’t know this. How could Carter have not told me?

I swallow down all the emotion and plant a bright smile on my face. “I have to say, Carter. I ran from the house to here. I was sure I’d made it a good two miles. I don’t think it was even two blocks.” I didn't know I was so out of shape. I also never planned to run from crime bosses either.

“You might be faster with shoes on. I always run faster when my daddy gets me new shoes.” His smile drops, and he looks down. My heart breaks into a million pieces for the second time in the last few days.

If this precious boy is anything like his aunt, the promise of treats may be the only thing to soothe his battered heart. “Come. We’ll get that cookie.”

He nods and walks up to the house with me. Cato follows. When we make it to the back door, my feet throb. I think one might be bleeding. I’m exhausted. I want to pick the little boy up and hold him in my arms and sob forever. But that’s not an option.

“Can I trust you’ll stay here?” Cato asks. “I’ll retrieve the cookies.”

“Right here.” I pull out one of the hightop chairs at the giant counter in the massive kitchen. Carter climbs up into it.

“Keep an eye on her, C. She’s crafty. Think it runs in the family.”

“Got it, boss.” Carter gives him a thumbs-up. “He always says Dad is crafty,” he informs me. He leans in again and holds his hand up to his mouth.

I lean in to hear his secret.

“He really says crafty bastard.”

I snort a laugh.

“I think I like just crafty.” The little boy shrugs. “He’s gone now, so I don’t think he’ll be saying it anymore.”

“I lost my daddy, too.”

He turns to look up at me. “He’s gone. I can’t see him anymore until I go to heaven. That’s what Flavia says.”

“She might be right.” I brush my thumb along his cheek. “I knew your daddy.”

“You did?” His eyes light up.

“I did. He was my big brother. Did you know that makes me your aunt?”

He grabs the end of my hair. “An aunt? The kind that bite?”

“No.” I want to hug him so hard. “I’m your Aunt Apollonia.”

“Apollonia? Your hair is so long.” He plays with the ends of it.

“Did your daddy tell you about me?” Why didn't he tell me about him? He shouldn't be here. Cato sets a container of cookies between us. Carter lets go of my hair to grab one.

“He showed me a picture. Bell'angelo.” I see Cato watching us as he grabs us something to drink.

“Beautiful angel.” I smile thinking about it. It sounds sweet, but Carter always called me that because he said I was a goodie two shoes. I told him I had to be good enough for both of us. It was the only way I could get him into the afterlife with me. He’d tell me not to worry about it. He’d sneak in and see me on the other side.

Cato sits the milk in front of Carter. The boy gives him a giant smile before picking it up. He trusts Cato. I lean back in my chair and watch Carter. I can feel Cato watching me.

Things just got a whole lot more complicated, but I take comfort in the fact that I’m no longer alone in this world.

4

Cato

“Run along for your lessons. Diego doesn’t like to wait.” I ruffle Carter’s hair as he dashes out the back door.

“Lessons?” Apollonia stares after her nephew, and I can