249

Isabella

Ava had been reluctant to go home but I assured her that I would be fine with Emilio. "I do not trust that man, Isabella," Ava cautiously said and looked around to see if my Dad heard her.

"It is alright, Ava, he means well," I assured her with a smile.

"You know that you can always come back and stay with me, us girls got to stick together," She said.

"I would love to stay with you more than anything in the world, but I just can't stay with you knowing that Vito can pay you a visit anytime he likes," I told her.

Ava nodded a little bit sadly. I hoped that she did not think I was avoiding her because that was far from the reason. Flashbacks of Vito's large hands around my neck played over and over again in my head as I dreadfully recalled the attack.

As Ava gently urged me to come back home with her, I felt a wave of apprehension wash over me, my heart pounding with fear at the mere thought of facing Vito again.

"I appreciate your concern, Ava," I said, my voice trembling