Page 23 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
Brat? God. I like Princess better. I stop short and glare up at him. He stops and with his usual smirk waits for me to speak.
“Why is it bad… entitled, to wish to be able to live life without being bossed or bullied?”
His brow furrows like he doesn’t understand what I’m asking.
“Why am I brat simply because I’d like to buy my sister a few things for her wedding and babies on my own?” I look at a woman passing me. “Look at her. She’s alone. Is she a brat?”
He sucks in a breath like he’s trying to stay calm and reasonable. I should appreciate the effort, but the idea that I’m getting on his nerves for something so basic as shopping on my own grates on me.
“No, but that’s because she doesn’t have a city full of wise guys who’d love to kidnap her or kill her.”
“No one here wants me?—”
Now he does roll his eyes. “Wake up, Lucy. Just a few days ago, your father had you kidnapped.”
Oh, right. It isn’t that I forgot. It’s just that I’m sure Elena was the target. I was in the way. I knew for all intents and purposes, I was dead to my father the moment he sold me to Giuseppe.
“You’re a brat for being selfish and ungrateful. You don’t think I have better things to do than trail you around the city?”
I purse my lips at him and make my way to the bank.
“Are we robbing it?” he quips as he follows me in.
“Will it get you arrested and out of my life?”
He snorts. And damn it if my lips don’t quirk up as well.
I make my way to the ATM, entering the card that Giuseppe gave me just before I left Italy. I press my PIN and the screen flashes my balance. Relief floods through me—enough to cover Elena's whims without tapping into Conti funds that might draw Luca's attention. I send a silent thank you to Giuseppe for thinking of giving me my own account.
I hear a whistle and turn to see Donovan looking over my shoulder.
“You’re rich.”
I smirk. “I’m a Don’s wife, remember?”
He laughs. “Right. Not free, but with enough money to fund a small country. Poor little rich girl.”
His words effectively wipe the smirk off my face. Damn him again.
I take out a significant amount of cash. If anyone is tracking the account, they’ll see where I got the money but not where I spend it. I stash the cash in my purse and head toward the upscale baby boutique.
I’m immediately entranced by the tiny clothes and baby accessories.
“Those babies aren’t here for a while.”
I want to ignore him. “I’ve accepted that you’re my bodyguard. Now act like one. Keep your distance and don’t talk to me.”
“Okay, Brat.”
Ugh.
I move around the shop, pretending that the hulking presence following me around isn’t associated with me.
"Need help choosing?"
I arch a brow. “You know about baby clothes? Tell me, Donovan, how many kids do you have?” For a moment, my stomach clenches as I wait to find out if he has a woman. Or many women. And a brood of kids.
He feigns thinking about it. “No kids. Not that I know of, anyway.”