I was so goddamned in love with her that to remove her from my existence would be like wrenching a vital organ out of my person. I wouldn’t survive without her.
She was the very breath running through my lungs, the very beat keeping my heart pumping, the very essence powering my soul. Without her, my life would be a colourless canvas with endless murky depths.
Gabriela Regina Bellafiore was the other half of me.
I would never allow anyone to hurt her, let alone take her away from me.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” I hushed, kissing her hairline. “They’ll find the culprit. And in the meantime, I’m here and I’ll take care of you. Always. You know that, right?”
And alongside me, the perimeters of my home would heavily be barricaded by guards, so if anyone dared to approach my property—and my Gabriela—there would be hell to pay.
Instead of answering me, she pecked my lips.
I felt the tremble in her body. It took every ounce of my strength not to unbuckle her seatbelt, drag her into my lap, and wrap my arms around her protectively.
I was strong enough for the both of us. Whatever demons haunted Gabriela, I would chase them away. No one would hurt her. Not one would ever lay a finger on her so long as I breathed.
She was my whole world.
I would keep her protected, sheltered, and cherished for as long as I breathed.
My private property came into view within seconds and we pulled into the lot, the other armed vehicles following suit. Ihelped Gabriela out of the car and she was mindful of my injured arm, steering away from it like it would combust at her touch.
Her dad stepped out of his car with two of his guards, Oscar included, and headed towards us, casting weary glances at the darkness surroundings like a threat would pop out mid-air.
“Cara mia,” he began. “Are you sure you wish to stay here?”
“Yes, Papà. I told you; I want to be with Hunter. I trust him and the guards.”
He appeared like he wanted to oppose but nodded instead. “All right. You’ll stay here for the weekend until I can make other arrangements for you, closer to our home.” A regretful expression flashed over his face, which he was quick to cover up with his usual scowl. “We’ll find who did this to you and put an end to it. For real this time.”
I concluded that his stoic demeanour wasn’t because he was pissed Gabriela was staying here with me, but rather disappointment in himself. Enzo killed the wrong guy—never mind that Maverick deserved to die—and it gnawed at him.
Gabriela hugged Enzo. “I know you will. You always protect me.”
In what I assumed was a rare display of affection in front of his men, he kissed the top of her head. “If you need anything—whatever it may be—I’m just a phone call away, okay?”
She smiled. “I know.”
Then he gave a meaningful glance in my direction and said with a stony tone, “Thank you for protecting Gabriela. If you hadn’t been there—” He cleared his throat, swallowing roughly. “Lucia and I are forever in your debt.”
“You don’t have to thank me for that, sir,” I replied, reaching forth to grab my girl’s hand. “I would do anything for Gabriela.”
Enzo Bellafiore may have been wary of me at the beginning, but tonight was a turning point. He would warm up to me, slowlybut surely. I was going to be his future son-in-law one day, so it was in his best interest that we got along.
If not for our sakes, then Gabriela’s.
“Let’s go inside,” Enzo said, nodding at my home. “I want to see the layout and debrief the guards on the plan.”
Enzo and the guards took an hour to analyze the indoor and outdoor structure, devising a strategic plan to ensure the entire property was secured, not to mention the various weapons they discreetly stashed in every corner of the house in case anyone broke inside. It was a slim possibility. They doubted that the same attacker from tonight would strike twice, let alone know where Gabriela was staying. But we wouldn’t be taking any chances.
I locked the doors and windows once Enzo left after bidding us good night and lecturing us to call him if we experienced even the slightest suspicious activity. Josh had already hacked into the cameras lining the outside of the property, so we were covered on that end too.
I dragged in a deep breath as I walked down the hallway to find Gabriela. She’d put Luna to sleep in her princess bed earlier, cooing at her softly since the latter was a bit distressed, having been shuffled from her usual home to another.
Before we left to come here, guards had accompanied us to our respective apartments to help us pack our bags for the weekend. That’s when I saw Gabriela had decorated hers with balloons, a banner, and all my favourite foods so we could have an indoor, cozy picnic to celebrate my win. She was so disappointed that her surprise was ruined. My chest twisted at the sight. I’d kissed her and reassured that it was the thought that counted.
Now I hoped to salvage some of our plans at the very least.
