Page 67 of Crimson Vows

“Gia, we can talk about this once I know you’re safe, okay?” I attempt to soften my tone as well, but I fail.

“No, I’ll go, but only after you promise.”

I exhale, my body slumping forward in the driver’s seat as I realize I am about to remove one of the few bargaining chips I might have. “I promise,” I say, the words rough as gravel. My throat tightens around the vow, my soul shackled to it. I swore I would never lie to her, and I hope that, more than anything, I can keep that promise to her.

“Thank you,” she breathes out, a whisper of relief that barely masks her fear. “I’ll leave now. Be careful. I love you.”

My chest flutters in response to her words. “I love you too,” I say, then end the call.

Without hesitation, I dial Nico’s number. After a few rings, he picks up, his voice low and serious. “Have you had any luck with Dante?” I ask.

“Not yet,” he replies. “I’m driving around to places where I know he likes to hang out, but nobody has seen him.”

I know how deeply Nico cares for the guy, so no matter how pissed I may be about the situation Dante has placed us all in, I do feel some empathy for Nico. “I’m sure he’ll be okay.” I attempt to reassure him, though even I can hear the lack of conviction in my words. The fact that he hasn’t been able to locate Dante and he isn’t answering his phone only feeds my fears that perhaps he has already been captured.

“Do you need something?” Nico’s voice now has a sharp edge to it.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding as I hope he will abandon his search for his friend and do as I ask. “Yeah, I do actually. Look, I know you’re trying to find Dante, and I appreciate how worried you are about him, but I need your help.”

“What is it?”

“Vincent is going to land at two, and I can’t shake this worry that he will try to use Gia to get to me. I don’t want her anywhere near this.”

“I mean, I get it. What do you need from me?” His sharpness is replaced with the soldier’s voice.

“I’m going to text you an address. It’s a safe house I have outside the city. Gia is already on her way. I want you to meet her there. I need you to keep her safe.”

“Done,” he replies, his drive to take care of Gia outweighing his need to search for Dante.

“Hey, it’s important not to tell anyone where you’re going. Got it?”

“Of course.”

“I mean it, Nico. Not even Dante,” I add.

“What?”

“I get that you’re worried about him, but you and I both know our guys and probably some of Amelia’s will be looking for him. We can’t risk him leading them to her.” I know he can’t argue with my logic.

“Understood,” Nico responds after a moment of silence. His fierce protectiveness matches my own, and right now, that’s exactly what I want for Gia, despite her determination that she doesn’t need protecting.

I end the call and text Nico the address. For the first time since the chaos began, I have a sense of clarity. Gia is on her way to safety, soon to be watched over by Nico’s unwavering gaze.

The promise I made to Gia replays in my head. I said I wouldn’t throw Dante to the wolves, but does that mean I need to save him? Guilt claws at my insides, threatening to consume me whole.

I stare at my phone before I finally type out a text that every muscle in me is resisting doing.

Me: I got word that Vincent is landing at two. Would be best if you stayed out of sight for a while.

I hit send on the message to Dante. The heads-up is more than he deserves.

My grip on the phone loosens. I have no doubt Nico will guard Gia with his life. My fingers brush over the gun holstered at my side. I feel exposed sitting in my car but have few options at this point. I haven’t felt this helpless since the night Nico almost died on Anthony’s boat. And so, I sit and wait.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

MARCO

My head has started to pound. Not only have I heard nothing back from Dante, but I am still waiting on confirmation from Gia or Nico that they arrived at the safe house. I’ve watched as people have come and gone from their homes or places of business, growing increasingly envious of the lives they must live. How many of them have had to take a life? How many of them have feared for their own lives or for the life of someone they care about? What we do is all I’ve ever known, but I understand it isn’t natural. It’s like a poison that slowly seeps into your veins, and sooner or later, it will be the end of all of us.

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