Page 104 of Sovereign Oaths

The guys had shown me what a full life could look like.

The Pack brought us together, but they’d be the ones to tear us apart.

I hated El Lobo. The entire Velez Mafia.

I hated them all. More than Alessio or Brazzi.

I hated myself for being a part of it.

“Em?” Javi called out just before swinging around the doorframe. “You ready?”

I quickly blinked away the tears and nodded. “Should I text him?”

“Not yet. We want to get in place first. Give him the least amount of time to plan before seeing you.”

“Okay.” I slid my phone into the back pocket of my white shorts and followed him out to the living room, where the others were waiting. I couldn’t meet their eyes. I didn’t want them to see how upset I was.

“Em?” Derek’s voice was low.

Fuck. Of course he noticed.

I cleared my throat and lifted my chin. “Let’s go.”

Marco came around the couch toward me, but I held up a hand. “No.”

He cocked a brow. “No?”

“No hugs or kisses or goodbyes. We’re going to take that stupid boat and get in the car like it’s any other day. This will all be over in a few hours, and we can come back and celebrate.”

Cruz and Derek shared a look I chose to ignore.

“Okay,” Javi agreed and waved the guys out. “You heard our woman.”

Marco eyed me once before turning and leading them toward the door. I stepped out last and went through the routine of taking the elevator down, getting on the boat, and crossing to the marina. Javier got behind the wheel, and I got in the passenger seat as the guys crammed into the back.

“You can text him now,” he told me quietly as we pulled up to the shopping center we selected with the beta and gamma teams.

I pulled out my phone and read his last message. He’d killed so many people, for me. He thought that was enough to win me back. He was sick, but then again, by those standards, so was I.

I pressed the call button and held the phone to my ear.

“Amor?” His desperation was clear.

“Alessio.” My voice broke, and Cruz’s hand landed on my right shoulder.

“I’ve missed you. Are you ready to come home?”

“I want to talk to you first.”

“Of course. Where are you, amor? I’ll come to you.”

I named the center. “I’ll be at the cafe’s patio.” I could hear movement on his end.

“I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“Okay.” I hung up and let out a breath as I dropped my head back against the rest. “He’s coming.”

Javi turned to the guys. “Let’s get in position.”

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