Page 59 of Heartless Union

Her face goes red. I know we’re both thinking of when I went down on her earlier on the couch. “But do you care for me beyond the physical?” she asks.

Do I? I know that when Lara was first kidnapped, I felt a very real fear I’d never experienced before. And I know it wasn’t just for Gabriella. It was for Lara, too.

Before I can answer, Nico comes back into the room. “Ready to go?” He stops when he notices how close Lara and I are standing to each other. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right,” I say, pulling away from her. Lara’s eyes scream of sadness, but there’s nothing I can do to fix that just now. “We need to leave.”

I drive the three of us back to my house. Once inside, Gabriella comes running down the stairs. She gives Lara a big hug, completely ignoring me.

“I was so worried,” she says to Lara. “When Rocco found out you were gone, he was so angry. I thought for a moment he might hurt you.”

“I would never do that,” I snap.

Gabriella gives me a look. “I know. But you were really angry.” She looks at Lara closer. “Are you ok? You look shaken up.”

“Dante showed up,” I say before Lara can speak. Gabi gasps. Massimo and Emilio enter the foyer.

“What about Dante?” Massimo asks.

I explain what happened. “Which is why we need to leave right now. Massimo, you’re taking them to the safe house. I’m going to drive in a different direction to throw them off our scent. We can risk them finding us. Do everything in your power to make sure you lose anyone following you.”

Massimo nods. “Got it.”

“Are you ok?” Gabriella asks me.

“Oh, now, you care.”

She shrugs. “You’re a hard man to care about sometimes, Rocco. You can’t blame me for that.”

I sigh, running a hand across my neck. “I’m sorry. I’m all right. I stopped Dante from hurting Lara or Nico. But he’s not dead. He’ll come back.” I hesitate.

Gabriella steps right up to me. “What is it?”

“He wants you,” I tell her.

Her mouth gapes open. “He wants me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Come on, Gabi,” Massimo says, throwing his arm around her and rubbing his fist into her head. She bats his hand away. “We’ve all seen the boys looking at you. It’s not surprising Dante would want you, too.”

“But it is concerning,” I say looking Gabriella square in the eye. “I promise. I won’t let him get you. I’ll keep you safe.”

Gabriella nods even though she looks uncertain. “Let’s just get out of here. I don’t want Dante finding me and forcing himself on me. Or worse—making me his bride.”

“That would be worse?” Lara asks.

“Yes. I don’t want to be shackled in marriage.”

“You might not get the choice one day,” I remind her.

She sticks her tongue out at me. “I always gets my way. Same as you, brother.”

I don’t comment. “Let’s get going.” My brothers and sister head for the door with Nico. Lara remains behind. “Yes?” I say to her.

Her eyes say so much, but I don’t know how to read them. “Nothing. Just … be safe.”

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