Page 111 of Out of Control

He’s just trying to protect her like she does him.

“Sofia redirected her attention so she wouldn’t see you. I’m assuming to keep her away from the press.” I shrug. I can only guess at this point. “I helped her get your mamá outside. And then . . . she left, and I can’t get ahold of her. I don’t want her to be alone.”

“I think I know where she’ll be.”

“She needs . . . I don’t know what she needs, Cruz, but it’s probably you. You’re her anchor.”

Cruz looks at me and for the first time in all of our interactions, I feel like he truly sees me. He steps forward, puts his hand on my shoulder, and squeezes. “She doesn’t need me, Rossi.” He sniffs as I look at him confused. “She needs you. You’re the man she needs.”

Our eyes hold and there’s something in that look, something in the resigned nod that tells me he may not like this new development, but that he trusts me with his sister. That he’s handing the responsibility over to me.

That I just might be good enough for her.

• • •

I move through the darkness, over the wall, and out onto the grass. I’m out of breath and worried as fuck, but all of that dissipates the minute I see Sofia. She’s in her formal gown, heels are thrown on the grass behind her, knees are tucked up to her chin, and she’s staring at the city’s lights before her.

She looks so lonely. Withdrawn. Sad.

She has to know I’m here. It’s not like I’ve been quiet in my approach, but she doesn’t turn to face me. She doesn’t say a word.

I sit beside her and link my fingers with hers as she rests her head on my shoulder. We don’t speak. We don’t do anything other than stare at the lights together and listen to the crickets sing.

There’s comfort in the silence. In having her at my side and knowing I’m there for her. And a peace to it too.

You’re the man she needs.

Let’s hope he’s right because right now, I don’t know what to do or say, other than be here for her and protect her in any way I can.

“I’m embarrassed you saw that,” she finally says.

I run my thumb back and forth over the top of her hand. “Don’t be. You’re not defined by who your parents are. Or by actions you can’t control. I know that more than anyone.”

I love that she doesn’t argue with me on it. I appreciate that she just nods her head where it rests against my shoulder and accepts what I tell her.

“It wasn’t always this bad. Her showing up and making a scene has been something more over the past few years. We try to avoid it as much as possible, but we can’t prevent event organizers from accepting Mrs. Navarro from wanting to attend. And I can’t stop her from showing up drunk and saying such crass things as she did to you tonight.”

I press a kiss onto the top of her head. “I can handle myself, Bellissima. It’s not the worst thing anyone’s said to me by far.”

“Yeah, but she said it to me. She said it about you. She said it in a room full of people who matter. Who talk. Who look at Cruz Navarro and revel about how much he’s had to overcome to be where he is and then at his little sister, Sofia, and feel sorry for her.”

“I assure you no one was thinking that.”

“They laugh. And then they pity. I don’t want either.” Her exhale is shaky and it breaks my heart.

“How old were you when she left?” I finally ask the question that’s been on my mind.

Don’t leave me.

“Nine? Ten? I don’t know. The years run together. Maybe earlier. She’d make huge promises, say we’d do them when she came back from the next trip, the next weekend with friends, but those weekends became longer and longer. My papá was traipsing around the globe, browbeating Cruz into being the next legacy Navarro, while I was sitting at home waiting for someone, anyone to come home.”

Jesus. My parents were the exact opposite. I can’t imagine how painful that would have been for a little girl.

“I’m sorry you went through that but from my perspective, they’re the ones who own the blame. Not you.”

“Tell that to nine-year-old me.”

“I know.” I press another kiss to her head. “I can’t imagine.”