I see Antonio’s anger and distrust the moment he sets eyes on Creed. No matter that we told Len—that I told Len—that Creed isn’t the enemy or isn’t keeping me away from my family, Antonio isn’t ready to hear it.
Miguel rests his hand on Antonio’s shoulder. “Let’s listen to what Sophie has to say.”
“Ella no puede hablar libremente con él aqui.” Antonio is rigid and ready to pounce. “Cabrón.”
“I most definitely can speak freely with him here,” I snap. “And speak English, and don’t speak as if I’m not here, Antonio.”
His jaw works, and he flicks his hand at Andro. “Him?”
“Andro is Creed’s cousin.”
“Why is he here?”
“Why are they?” I motion to Severyn and the other large man.
Miguel smiles softly at me. “We were worried, Soph. Severyn is our friend, and Tag and his security team have experience working on things like this.”
“And you’re the liaison for Len and her team.” Creed hikes a brow, clearly sizing Tag up and possibly not completely buying Len’s explanation of his role.
“I go where Severyn goes,” Tag growls, and Creed holds up his hand, implying he is no threat.
I rub my forehead, then motion to the sofa. “Let’s sit, Antonio, and I’ll explain.” He hesitates, and my heart clenches at his look of hurt and betrayal for my actions and suspicion of Creed. “Please, Tio.”
Creed runs his thumb along my jawline, soothing some of the ache in my chest. Antonio, of course, catches the gesture, but he must read something from the touch or the love that is apparent on Creed’s face because some of the loathing emanating from Antonio eases, and he sits on the sofa.
I sit beside him, placing my wineglass on the table. Creed stands beside the sofa, close to my side, and Miguel sits in a chair close to Antonio. Andro relaxes against the wall, and Severyn and Tag stand back, observing quietly but looking ready to intervene if needed.
“How is Ollie?” It’s a horrible pill to swallow, knowing that I can’t see her yet. I could drag the threat back to her if my father came for me there.
Antonio looks pained. “She’s stable.”
“Was she…” I can’t get the words out as my throat closes.
Severyn guesses what I tried to ask. “There were no signs of forced sexual activity.”
I’m grateful Ollie wasn’t violated that way. Being stabbed in the chest and left to die is horrible enough.
Guilt blooms like a mushroom cloud inside me, and I squeeze my eyes shut. My friend and roommate was attacked because of me—likely because of the fake sightings Crispin and Daniele had planted to make it look like I was in the city. We had underestimated my father’s resources because we thought we’d find them before they acted.
“She’s safe?” Creed asks about Ollie.
“There’s a team assigned to ensure she is,” Tag reassures.
At least that’s something.
I take a deep breath to push down my unhelpful guilt and meet Antonio’s eyes. They’re filled with anger and pain, along with worry. “Do you remember when Mama died?”
He reaches for my hand. The gesture implies he hates the gap between us as much as I do, and I nearly break down. “I could never forget, firefly.”
“I was so foolish, but I wanted to believe my father wasn’t as bad as you all promised him to be. I should’ve listened to you.” I can hardly force the words out. “He was worse, Tio.”
“Tell me, Soph. Please.”
My bottom lip trembles, and I bite it. “For time’s sake, I won’t go into the play-by-play, but I think he planned to give me to one of the cartel lieutenants to gain favor with him. I left quickly; I was so frightened before I came to San Diego for university that he would come for me, but he never did.”
Antonio listens raptly but becomes rigid when I tell him everything that has happened, including how Bane picked me up, my father pulled a gun, how the MC got me to Creed, and everything we know, including Manuel Morales.
Antonio’s anger has dissipated, but his fear and worry for me have increased. He glances behind me, and I look over my shoulder, seeing Creed standing close—feet apart, arms loose and ready at his sides—as if ready to protect me. Creed wears dark jeans and a dark shirt instead of one of his impeccable suits, his tattoos are on full display. My core clenches at the sight of him, but I see him as Antonio likely sees him: dark, dangerous, and from a mafia family.
“Sophie,” Antonio calls my attention back. He flicks a warning glance at Creed. “You’re in harm’s way because of Creed—”
“Did you not listen to anything I said, Tio?” I grip his hands. “My father was coming for me with the lieutenant he ‘wanted me to meet’ in the past from before I even moved to the States—that part has nothing to do with Creed. I was always going to be at risk because of my father, not because I’m with Creed or that these are his enemies.”
“But Manuel Morales is Creed’s enemy,” he argues.
“Yes, who also has ties to my father.”
“This all circles back to the criminal world, Sophie. Your father… The cartel… Your mama worked her entire life to keep you away from him and that life. Abuelo and Abuela also worked to protect you. I have worked to keep you from being touched by that life. Now you’re trying to tell me you’re choosing a man who is a criminal over your own family?”
I pull my hands away from Antonio’s. “Creed is not a criminal.” I ignore his grunt of disbelief. “His work is all legitimate and legal.”
“Antonio,” Severyn murmurs, leaning close to him. “We know this about Creed.”
“Funded with blood money,” Antonio spits, unwilling to let it go.
“It’s not,” I defend.
His jaw shifts, and his eyes harden. “Even if that’s true, his family is—”
“His family,” I finally give in to my anger, “took me in and protected me while we tried to figure this out. They didn’t have to do that. I brought risk right to their doorstep.”
“And why would they be so benevolent, Soph? They’re criminals.”
“Yes, they are,” Creed rumbles, finally breaking his silence and running his fingers through my hair. “And my family helped because of one simple reason: Sophie. Is. Mine.”
Antonio shoots to his feet, as does Miguel, who speaks quietly to Antonio.
This is what I’ve been dreading. The moment where I actually have to choose between my family and Creed.
But I make the choice without hesitation.
I take Creed’s hand and intertwine my fingers with his, then kiss his tattooed knuckles. “And Creed is mine, Antonio. And if I have to, I will choose him over any family members who cannot accept my choice.”
Antonio looks like I’ve stabbed him in the heart. My own heart is breaking, but I’m not backing down from this.
Creed gestures for Antonio to sit, then he sits on the arm of the sofa beside me. “Sophie’s safety is what matters right now; the rest can wait. I will do everything needed to keep her safe, as will my family.”
“Give her to us, and we’ll keep her safe,” Antonio says to Creed.
“No,” I say firmly.
“Firefly, we have resources. Tag and his team—”
“We work together,” Creed says. “That was the deal for us coming here.”
“Antonio.” Severyn leans forward and rests her hand on his forearm. “Working together best protects Sophie; we’ve all agreed to this.” Antonio looks between her and me, his mouth pressed into a thin line.
I’ve seen that look before. His stubbornness wants him to dig his heels in and fight this on principle.
“Antonio… Tio,” I pause. “They came to my dorm… They hurt Ollie.” My voice cracks. “They need to be stopped.”
That reminder has the effect I thought it would. I’m not using Ollie’s attack to manipulate or coerce Antonio; however, I’m not not using it for that. These are dire circumstances.
“Creed, Len said you thought a third party might be involved?” Tag asks.
“We haven’t found anything definitive to prove that’s the case, or who the third party may be.”
Severyn and Tag exchange a look but remain silent.
“Len said your tech person traced back the hack on the campus security system,” I say.
“They did.” Severyn’s brows pull together over her unique gray eyes. “But it wasn’t as definitive as we had hoped, though.” Her eyes flick between Creed, Andro, and me, almost like she’s watching for our reaction. “At first, it looked like it might’ve led back to Silvestro Mancini.”
“The Mancini family from Boston,” Andro says.
“Friends of yours?” Tag raises a brow.
“Most definitely not,” Creed growls. “Our family would never ally with them.”
“Both are Italian mafia families,” Miguel states.
“We’re not immediately friendly.” Andro comes to stand beside Creed. “We’re from different syndicates and are more geared to being natural rivals than instant allies. Plus, they’re across the country; our territories don’t even come close to touching.”
“And the shit Mancini does,” Creed snarls. “Even if we were both part of the same syndicate and fucking neighbors, our family would never work with him.”
“For not having a role in your family’s underworld criminal activities, you’re very much in the know, Creed,” Antonio says with some of the loathing back.
I flinch, and Antonio catches it, and his eyes flash with regret and pain.
I can feel Creed’s rippling anger that Antonio has hurt me, but he responds calmly, “I may not be directly involved in that side of my family’s operations, but I did grow up in that household.”
Creed could easily lash out at Antonio’s disrespect; however, he isn’t doing so because of me, because my feelings and safety come first. This makes me love him even more.
I twist my head around to face Creed, staring up at him, thanking him without needing words. He gazes down at me, his love written all over his gorgeous face as he briefly cups my cheek. I turn back to Antonio. “We love who we love; that’s what you always tried to instill in us, Tio.”
He jerks slightly, his eyes darting between me and Creed.
“She’s right, Antonio,” Miguel says. “Drop this hate and resistance. Focus on Sophie and what she needs.”
Antonio’s stiff shoulders ease. He sighs and reaches for my hands again. “Firefly, I just need you safe.”
“Everyone in this room is on the same page, Antonio,” Creed says softly. “Let’s work together.”
Antonio stares hard at Creed before finally nodding.
“What about Mancini?” Andro brings us back. “You’re interested in him. Why?”
Severyn moves to a chair across from me and sits. “You’ve heard about the federal agencies’ takedown of the human trafficking ring with the Cataclysmic drug development several months ago?”
“We have,” Creed answers stiffly. “What of it? What’s the connection?”
“It’s possible that Silvestro Mancini was one of the groups who used that global ring to support his own prostitution ring in Boston,” Tag jumps in. “There’s some evidence he’s been trying to encroach on New York for finding victims for his ring.”
I remember something Antonio told me a few months ago and turn to Miguel. “You were worried about people being targeted at the club.”
“We had two disappear,” he says. “We weren’t the only club, but we’ve done everything possible to prevent it.”
“New York? That’s Alessio Candreva’s territory.” Andro whistles. “Mancini’s got some big balls, or he’s stupid as a bag of shit.”
“Pushing into Candreva territory isn’t wise,” Creed agrees. “So, Mancini’s looking for other locations to grab victims from or to transport them?”
“Possibly both. His supply and shipping routes have been shut down in Boston,” Tag says. “Would the West Coast be an option?”
“Fuck no,” Creed growls. “Not California, at least. My family controls California and all the ports, so a shipping route anywhere in this state wouldn’t fly. As I said, we’d never work with Mancini, or anyone allied to him. It’s well known that my family doesn’t touch anything that’s even loosely connected to human trafficking. He’d be a dead man if he tried to operate in our territory.”
“Plus, Mancini wouldn’t have the strength to make inroads here against us or challenge the Santoro family,” Andro adds. “Not by himself, or even working with three rogue cartel soldiers and a corrupt businessman. They’d need a battalion or need to ally with an entire criminal faction, not just a few members of one.”
Andro pauses briefly with a frown. “What does this have to do with Sophie? Is Mancini involved? Is he the mystery third party?”
I’m confused, too, but Creed has a knowing smirk.
“You were testing me,” he says with no heat, rubbing his jaw regarding Tag. “Did I pass?”
“With flying colors,” Tag grunts.
“It’s not likely that Mancini is involved,” Creed concludes. “Not with anything to do with trafficking in this geographic area, at least.”
“It does seem unlikely that Mancini is the third party involved in this,” Tag concedes. “However, when Len was digging into him, she didn’t know about Manuel Morales, who is involved, according to your intel, so that’s something to dig deeper and see if there’s a connection between them.”
Creed nods. “We can also use our resources and networks to see if there’s a connection.” He regards Tag closely. “We need to work together and share everything we each have. I know it’s hard for you guys to work with someone like me, but we have to do this. I feel like I have half the puzzle pieces, and maybe with yours, we can finally figure this out.”
I look at Antonio, Miguel, Severyn, and Tag. “Creed is right. We need to share everything we know. Such as Pastor Salome has ties to human trafficking,” I share in case they don’t know.
Worry slashes across Severyn’s face, and Tag’s square jaw clenches. “There’s additional intel that Salome is trying to get connected into some death ring.”
Death… ring?
I can feel the blood drain from my face, as well as feel Creed’s protective fury roll off him.
“Where is Salome now?” Creed’s voice is dark and ominous.
“Our tech guy couldn’t track him after he left the dorm.”
Tag’s admission breaks the dam, holding back my panic.
Pastor Salome is still out there, free. With my father. Hunting for me.
But why? Is my father’s plan to give me to Salome? To be used in human trafficking? To be sacrificed in some death ring?
Each possibility is worse than the last.
And they nearly killed Ollie because of me. That’s what is making me spiral the most. My friend could’ve died; she could’ve been taken, all because of me and who my father is. She still could be taken and given to that ring.
“Ollie,” I choke as I shoot to my feet. Is she safe now? My vision swims as panic overwhelms me.
“Angel.” Creed envelopes me.
“Finding Pastor Salome is our number one priority,” Severyn vows, making me feel somewhat better that we have allies in this.
“Now that we have confirmed that your father is involved, Sophie, along with Manuel Morales, that’s two more faces our surveillance programs can scour for,” Tag says.
Creed’s arms tightened around me, keeping me close, like he’s shielding me from every threat. “We’ve known about those three, plus another cartel sicario named Frederico Perez, and our resources haven’t been able to find fuck all,” he snarls in frustration. “They have help with remaining off the radar.”
“What do you have on the hacker?” Andro asks.
Severyn and Tag exchange a subtle look before Tag says, “Nothing.”
Creed stiffens and narrows his eyes, warning Tag. “On the phone with Len, she admitted your tech genius traced the hack, which you also just admitted that it had made you look into Mancini. So don’t fucking try to bullshit me that you have nothing on the hacker themselves. They all have a signature, so what was theirs?”
Tag flexes his hands, then clasps them in front of him. “I’m not at liberty to say.”
“Tag,” Creed growls.
He holds up a hand. “With every piece of information, there’s risk associated with it. Sharing this now will increase the risk to an innocent.”
I can’t have someone else hurt because of me. I stare up at Creed, the unspoken plea on my face. Understanding softens his hard features, and his arms tighten around me again before he turns back to Tag.
“The hacker is being coerced,” Creed deduces. “Your tech guy has a connection established with them.”
“Yes,” Tag admits.
“Who’s doing the coercing?” Andro wonders. “Ortez and Salome? Morales? Or the mystery third party?”
“You still feel there’s one?” Severyn asks.
“There has to be,” Creed insists. “None of the men who we know are involved in this have the deep resources required.”
“This isn’t Cartel sanctioned,” Andro reminds Creed. “They aren’t the third party involved in this.”
“How do you know?” Severyn presses.
“Paco Garcia wouldn’t stand for getting mixed up in human trafficking,” Creed shares. “He actually independently hunts them down and deals with them.”
“And?” Tag pushes.
Creed runs his tongue over his teeth, considering what to share with them because it could make Antonio think worse of their family, which would cause me angst. I squeeze his waist, telling him to proceed.
“Vito has a contact within the Garcia Cartel,” he admits. “They confirmed that Geraldo Ortez, Pastor Salome, and Frederico Perez are acting independently. They’re marked for death by Garcia because of it.”
Tag rocks back on heels. “That means, whatever this is, the risk of their own criminal organization turning on them is less than the reward of what they’re trying to achieve here.”
This is all too much.
My knees almost buckle as I’m suddenly lightheaded. Creed sits me on the sofa but stays close at my side, perched on the armrest.
“If my father did plan to give me to Pastor Salome, who is involved in human trafficking…” I swallow hard. “Would that be enough payout for them to take the risk?”
Tag crouches in front of me. I expect to see pity, but I only see a determination to help me. “Unfortunately, there’s a lot of money to be made off one person who is forced into sex slavery.” Bile rises at his words, but I force it back as he continues softly, “But the payout for selling one person into the ring, between at least four people… More if there’s actually another party involved in this…” He shakes his head. “That would be nothing factored against running for the rest of your life from a cartel hunting you down. The risk doesn’t match the reward; there’s more to this than what we’re seeing.”
Would giving me to a death ring give them that exorbitant payout, though? My death and the payout would be ‘one and done.’
My mind vehemently rejects the death ring possibility.
I feel worse than when we arrived. “What’s our next step?”
Antonio looks as pale and ill as I feel. “We get you someplace safe, firefly.”
“On that, I agree.” Creed’s fingers tightened on my shoulder, and I nearly weep, knowing he’s here to protect me.
If fate hadn’t brought us together, what would’ve become of me?
“I don’t like being out in the open like this,” Creed grits.
“You picked the location,” Antonio reminds him.
“But it’s still public,” he rumbles. “My family’s estate—”
“An estate?” Antonio arches a brow, and Severyn leans in to whisper something to him.
“Yes, an estate; one that’s a fucking fortress. No one would be able to get to Sophie in there.”
“Including her family,” Antonio snaps.
My anxiety and control of my emotions are shredding fast.
“I’m not trying to keep her from her family,” Creed growls, and I sense his control slipping, too.
“Enough!” I look between the two people I love. “Both of you.” I fight to rein in my panic and anger. “Creed, Antonio is just worried about me. And Antonio, neither Creed nor any of his family are trying to come between us.”
Creed kisses the crown of my head. “I’m sorry, angel.”
Antonio comes closer and touches my cheek. “I’m sorry, too.”
I stare at Antonio, willing him to accept my next words. “I’m staying with Creed.”
“It’s her choice, Antonio,” Miguel replies before Antonio can voice the internal war that’s playing out within him. “Creed will protect Sophie with his life. You can clearly see that, even if you don’t like it.”
I give Miguel a thankful look, and he nods.
“The Santoro family is fully behind protecting Sophie,” Andro vows. “My cousin loves her and will use all his legal and legitimate means to protect her, as well as his criminal family will protect her from those criminals. Plus, your team. It’s a win-win here.”
Hope blooms in me, pushing some panic and dread to the side.
Tag stands. “I agree with Creed that this is too public of place. If it’s determined the best and safest place for Sophie is your family’s estate in San Francisco, then there’s the risk of traveling there. We can add to your security team to ensure you get safely to the plane.”
Severyn suddenly jerks for some reason, and her eyes lock with Tag’s. They step away from the group, lean their heads together, and speak quietly and quickly.
We all stand, realizing something is happening.
“What’s going on?” Creed demands.
Tag finally turns from Severyn back to us. “Ortez and his crew are headed in this direction.”
The floor tilts as my panic and terror rears.
Has my father found out where I am?
Everyone here is at risk because of me.
“How do you know that? You were supposed to be clean when you entered here.” Creed seems to enlarge beside me, ready to protect me at all costs, even with his life.
I can’t lose him. I won’t, I vow.
“Weapons, yes,” Tag replies flatly. “Comms weren’t mentioned.”
Andro steps closer to Tag and Severyn. “You were checked.”
She holds up her hand. “It doesn’t matter. We need to move. Now.”
Creed rakes his teeth over his lip, assessing her and Tag. “So not just a songwriter-musician,” he says to Severyn before turning his glare to Tag. “Is now when you actually outright confirm you’re not Len’s liaison?”
Tag steps closer so they’re toe-to-toe. “Do we have a fucking show-and-tell session right now, or do we get the women we love out of here before it’s too late? Considering you made us come in here with no weapons.”
“You’re right. We’ll exit that way.” Creed jerks his head toward the secret passages. “Our tech people can work together. Crispin is already into the CCTV systems outside.”
Severyn smirks. “And our tech genius is already in your club’s system.”
“Motherfucker,” Creed snarls, but then laughs. “Thanks for flagging there are vulnerabilities to patch up. And glad we’re on the same team.”
My head spins. My father is coming for me. This team is helping us. Weapons. Death games.
I want to whimper in terror, but I can’t distract Creed. I need to do whatever I can to keep him safe, just like he’ll do for me.
“I got you, angel,” he promises in my ear, grounding me.
“Can you tell Massimo to let our guys know how to connect with Crispin?” Tag asks Creed.
“I’ll do it,” Andro says.
“Tell Massimo to meet us at the back door. I’ll call Vito.” Creed grips my hand, keeping me close as he goes to the bar. He puts his phone on speaker as he calls Vito. “Vito, incoming threat. We need immediate extraction.”
“On it, baby brother,” Vito replies over the loud music, then starts barking orders as he hangs up.
Creed squats behind the bar, and I watch him open a safe under the counter and start pulling out guns and ammo. He glances up at me, his beautiful eyes like blue fire. “Anything it takes to keep you safe, angel,” he reminds me.
I swallow hard, nodding as he stands and hands a gun and clip of ammo to Tag.
“Her, too.” Tag jerks his head at Severyn.
Creed doesn’t hesitate and gets the weapon for Severyn, along with ones for himself, Andro, and even Miguel and Antonio. I don’t have time to process the full ramifications of that before Creed hurries us to the secret passageways.
We fill the narrow, cramped space and race toward the back door. My breathing is ragged as panic threatens to overwhelm me at the thought of Creed, Antonio, or any of them getting hurt because of me.
Tag speaks to whoever he’s communicating with, and Andro stops us at the back door.
Creed checks his phone. “We have the all-clear.” He turns to me. “Stay close to me, angel.”
Panic burns hot and toxic throughout me, but I force it back.
“Good girl,” Creed rasps, witnessing my resolve, and kisses me hard and fast.
He keeps me behind him as we move toward the door, and I reach behind me for Antonio.
“I’m here, firefly.” He grips my hand.
“We need to move. Now, Creed,” Tag warns, his voice hard and tight.
Creed nods, and Andro opens the door and leads with his gun. Creed mirrors his stance, and I shiver in the cool, crisp night air, realizing how truly lethal Creed could be. And that he’s only falling back into this because of me, to protect me.
We quickly leave the club, and I feel a surge of relief at seeing Massimo, Vito, Gabriele, and Raf emerge through another door.
We’re going to make it. We’re going to be okay.
Then my world nearly shatters as Severyn shouts, “Roof, eleven o’clock!”
Everything happens in slow motion. Miguel jerks Antonio and me, trying to get us to safety. My eyes are fixed on what Severyn has glimpsed on the roof: a deadly-looking machine gun aimed at Creed’s chest.
That opens fire.
