Her jaw firms. “He’s my family. Of course it’s my problem.”
Something tightens in my chest.
Family. It’s the one word that still means something to me. That still draws blood.
I look at her again. She’s still trembling from the bathroom incident with Clive Bernardi. Still shaken, still recovering. And now this?
No.
Not tonight.
“Is he home?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “If he knew they were coming, he’s probably hiding somewhere. He’s not stupid. Just... reckless.”
I grip the wheel harder.
So he leftherto deal with this.
I want to hit something, but there’s no time. Soon, one of thosebastardiis going to realize there’s a Ferrari parked in the middle of the street. And then, I’ll really have to show Erin who I am.
No. Not yet. I don’t want to lose her.
“We’re not stopping here,” I say. “You need rest.”
“Luca—”
“No arguments.”
"I don’t want to be a burden," she whispers, voice tight with guilt. "You’ve done so much already. I shouldn’t—this isn’t your responsibility."
I ease my hand off the wheel and reach over, brushing my knuckles lightly under her chin. Her breath hitches.
“Look at me,angioletto.”
She does.
“I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. And I want this. I wantyousafe. That’s all that matters to me right now.”
Her lips tremble. I see the doubt flicker, the fear of needing someone too much. So I lean in, just a little, my voice low and steady.
“You’re not a burden. You never could be.”
She exhales slowly, visibly fighting tears, then finally leans back into the seat.
“Okay,” she whispers. “Okay.”
My angel. My little fighter. She’s been hurt so badly by the world, but that’s over now. She’ll never have to go back here.
She’s mine.
So, I have every intention of keeping her.
7
ERIN
Luca’s place is something else.
