She swallows hard. "My brother."
"Yes."
"Adrian—" She stops herself. Takes a breath. "I meant what I said. Do what you have to do. But if there's any other way..."
I expect this. Sera was angry when her brother cornered her, but I know deep down she has a gentle heart, and he is her last blood relative.
"I know."
Sera isn't like me. She's not like Bianca either, despite how badly my mother would like that. She's kind and sweet. She cares for people.
If it comes down to it, she will have me kill her brother to protect our son.
Doesn't mean it won't destroy her if I do.
"I'm not going to kill him unless I have no other choice."
A shudder leaves her. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. The options might be limited." I kiss her again, harder this time. "Stay here. Stay safe. I'll be back before dinner." This time I press a soft kiss to her forehead. "I'll bring you some cheesecake from that place you like."
It's a small concession, and she knows it. But still, she smiles.
"Okay."
I leave before I can change my mind. Before I can lock her in this room and never let her out. Before the fear that something could happen to her while I'm gone makes me irrational.
Leo is waiting in the hallway.
"She's in her workroom," I tell him. "Don't let her out of your sight."
"Understood."
"I mean it, Leo. Gabriel is desperate. And desperate men do stupid things. We haven't heard from the fucker in weeks, but I'm not stupid. He wants something." I pause, something nagging at me. "And there's something else. That Russian. Artem. The one who cornered Sera at the bookshop months ago."
Leo's expression sharpens. "You think he's connected to Gabriel?"
"I don't know. I assumed Alexei sent him, but I never confirmed it. And now with Gabriel hiring mercenaries..." I shake my head. "Just keep your eyes open. Anyone approaches this house, I want to know immediately."
"She'll be safe. I've added to the guard force, and I won't leave her side."
I want to believe him. But the memory of Sera's face after the safehouse explosion still haunts my nightmares. The way she looked at me, blood on her dress, terror in her eyes. Gabriel orchestrated that. Put mercenaries on us. Nearly killed her and our son.
He's out there. And he's a threat.
Leo's voice is firm. "Go and handle business. I've got her."
I nod and head out.
The Dockside Warehouse is exactly what it sounds like. A massive space in Queens that the Marinis use for their shipping operations. Legitimate on the surface, and anything but underneath.
Antonio is waiting in his office when I arrive. Saint is with him, sprawled in a chair like he owns the place.
I fucking hate the douche bag. When Bianca told me of her plans to marry Gemma off to him, I'd tried to talk her out of it. But Bianca wants to cement the relationship, and there's no better way than to do that through marriage.
Still, I don't love it. Antonio wants an heir, badly, and I'm not sure my sister understands that. From the way Saint acts, I wonder if he does.
"Adrian." Antonio stands, extending his hand. "Thank you for coming."
