With the threat to Sophie gone—although my protective beast is on high alert, and I think it will be for eternity when it comes to her—we leave Tag and their team behind to see Ollie, Antonio, and Miguel at the hospital.
Fighting side-by-side behind Electric had shifted things. Prior to Tag and me leaving, Antonio stopped me and looked me dead in the eye with blood dripping from his hand. He may be a refined, trendy music executive, but I suspect Antonio has a wild, and possibly darker, past. “If you ever hurt Sophie, I’ll have Miguel string you up, and I’ll let the rats have their way with you.”
“You and I…” I clasped his shoulder, grinning. “Once you get over this loathing of me, we’re gonna be best fucking friends.”
Miguel and Vito howled, Massimo grunted, and Antonio’s lips twitched. His eyes softened and shined with tears. “Go save her and bring her back.”
I’m bringing her back, but Sophie is never leaving me.
The hospital administrator set up a private room for Ollie’s family when they weren’t in Ollie’s ICU room—thanks to my request, with a hefty donation to fund some new, needed ICU equipment.
When we arrive, Antonio and Miguel are alone in the private room. Antonio engulfs Sophie, and Miguel wraps them both up tight.
Sophie had been quiet on the ride to the hospital. But seeing Antonio and Miguel is a catalyst to shatter her shock, and she starts to sob as reality finally hits her.
What we had rescued her from… the plans her father had for her… That Antonio and Miguel are okay… that Ollie had to fight for her life.
She reaches for me and pulls me into the tight circle. She speaks in Spanish too rapidly for me to understand, but I suspect her words are disjointed and broken as she cries.
Antonio cups her head, his eyes overflowing with tears, and Sophie rests her hands over his.
“Creed and I are marrying, Tio. Please be happy for me. Please.”
His chocolate-brown eyes find mine. There isn’t acceptance and happiness there—not yet—but there isn’t the grim loathing, either. “Creed understands what will happen if he doesn’t treat you right, firefly.”
I don’t need the warning; I’ll never do anything to hurt my angel.
“She’s my queen,” I answer honestly. “I’ll always worship her and give her everything her heart desires.”
He nods, accepting my answer.
“What about Sophie’s schooling?” Miguel asks, his brow furrowed, probably worrying I’ll stop Sophie from pursuing her dreams.
“She’ll do whatever it is she desires.” I gaze down at her, running my knuckle along the side of her neck. “Whether that’s school or her dream project.”
“The class project idea?” Antonio tilts his head, regarding me, and I nod.
Sophie’s beautiful eyes glisten as she rests her forehead against my heart. “Thank you,” she whispers.
The door opens, and Zac Watkins comes in, looking haggard and exhausted. He stops in shock in the doorway.
“Soph?” he chokes. “Oh my god. Soph.”
She goes to him and embraces him. I don’t love that a non-family member is touching her—both because of my usual possessiveness and also because the threat against Sophie is too fresh in my memory—but I stay still. She needs this with her friend.
Zac’s eyes widen when he sees me. He recognizes me based on his expression. “Shit, now I understand why you kept your mystery guy a mystery,” he mutters.
She pulls back and smiles, but it fades quickly. “How is Ollie?”
“She’s stable.” Zac hugs her tight again, then eases up. “She’s not conscious yet, but I know she’d love to hear your voice. It will help. You want me to take you?”
She nods, looking back at me before turning back to Zac. “Her family…”
“No one blames you, Soph,” he says gently. “And Oll is a fighter. Docs are confident she’ll be fine.”
She takes my hand when I step beside her. It fits perfectly in mine, just like her body fits perfectly with mine. Her soul is the other half of mine. “Will you come with me?”
“Always and anywhere,” I promise.
