I palm the back of her head, holding her against me until her pulse slows.
When I glance over at my brother, I catch him staring at me with an odd expression as he shields his wife and daughter.
“All clear,” one of the guards yells. “They’ve fled the premises.”
“You’ve checked every level?” Angelo asks.
“Yes. We’ve got two of our guys in pursuit on foot.”
I look over to find Julian hovering nearby, waiting for instructions.
“Have one of your men get Beppe,” I tell him. “I need you to take her to the island and keep her there.”
He nods and fires off a message to one of the guards still in the building.
Angelo stands up and secures his wife and daughter in the SUV. I do the same with Gabi, settling her into the back seat.
She clings to me as I try to pull away, so I hold her for another minute, until I have no choice. We’re losing time.
“You’re safe now, baby,” I murmur the words into her hair, breathing her in for the first time in two weeks.
She lets out a broken sound when she tries to speak, but her voice won’t work.
I shake my head and pull back to wipe her tears as rage bleeds through me. God help whoever thought they could take her from me.
“Romeo,” Angelo calls out for me.
I nod at him to indicate I’m coming just as Julian appears with Beppe and one of my spare hoodies.
“I brought this for you.” He glances at my arm. “Figured you could use it.”
“Thanks.” I reach out and take it. “Give me a second.”
I turn back to Gabi and pull the hoodie over her, then grab Beppe and secure him inside it. She brings her hands up to cradle him there, letting out a shuddering breath.
Taking out my phone, I open the playlist I made for her and press play, giving her something else to focus on. I leave the phone in the pocket of the hoodie and press a kiss to her forehead.
“You’re safe now,” I repeat, wishing I could do more.
“Romeo,” Angelo calls out again.
“I know.”
I meet Abella’s gaze across the car, and she nods. “I’ll take care of her.”
When I pull away from Gabi, she closes her eyes, and I force myself to look away as I turn to Julian.
“I’ll keep her safe,” he assures me.
I shut the door, sealing her inside the armored vehicle before I join Angelo and the guards. A war of indecision flickers across his face as he glances at my bleeding arm. I can’t even feel it, and right now, it’s not on my list of priorities.
“Get them to the island,” I tell Angelo. “I’ve got this.”
“You didn’t go for the target,” he says, a note of disbelief in his voice. “You protected her instead.”
I jerk my chin, acknowledging it, but it’s something to dissect later. “I need you to protect her now. Get her to the island.”
He gives me his reluctant agreement. “The cavalry is coming, and I’ll join you as soon as they’re secure.”
