My arms ache to drag Eli onto my lap, but I refrain for a whole new reason now. Probably the same reason Spike is putting Riley back in her seat.
If shit goes sideways, I need both my hands…and my body…free to protect my family.
But I still need to touch him.
“Everything’s going to be okay,” I tell Eli, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to his forehead. “You still with me?”
He looks up at me and nods, though he’s pale. No forced smile. No pretending. Just fear.
Since I can’t hold him like I want to, I do the only other thing I can to reassure him. I lean down and kiss him. Soft. Slow. Calming.
“It’s okay, baby,” I whisper against his lips. “Breathe with me. I won’t let anything happen to you. Spike wouldn’t have let them through the gate if they were a threat.”
“It’s true, sweetheart,” Spike says gently…because he knows exactly what happens if Eli panics. “Would you be more comfortable over here with the girls?”
Spike is my brother. My President. My old friend.
But if he tries to separate me from Eli one more time…
“It’s in the corner, brother,” Spike adds quickly, smirking like the cocky shit he is. “Behind a wall of Shadows. You and Eli are right in front of the damn door. That’s the only reason I asked.”
I grunt but don’t argue.
Because he’s right.
Eli’s fingers curl into the side of my cut, trembling, and he shakes his head.
Spike sees it. Reads it. Nods once, understanding.
Before either of us can say anything else, there’s a knock at the door.
“Enter,” Spike calls out.
The prospect pushes the door open, stepping aside as three men walk in like they own the oxygen in the room.
Confident. Controlled. The kind of calm that comes from knowing the world fears your very steps.
I recognize the first man immediately.
Luca. The Don’s so-called right hand.
“Luca,” Spike says, rising to his feet with an extended hand. “To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?”
There’s ice under the words. A controlled warning.
Spike isn’t happy they’re here, and Luca damn well knows it.
But Luca steps forward, shakes Spike’s hand, then steps back with a respectful bow of his head.
“I’m afraid I’m here for a family matter,” he says.
“You’ll have to be more specific,” Spike replies.
Luca’s expression flickers…grief, sharp and genuine…before he lowers his gaze.
“I am so sorry, Boss,” Luca says softly. “We had no choice. We were attacked an hour ago.
We… we didn’t get everyone out of the mansion in time.”
