Page 69 of Dangerous Devotion

“We’ll take good care of them,” Hawk said and squeezed my shoulder.

I nodded. “If you don’t, I’ll kill you myself.” And I wasn’t even joking. If anything happened to my sisters or Jemma, I couldn’t take it. And I would unleash a world of hurt.

Hawk chuckled. “You Mafia guys are all the same. Masking emotion with growls and threats.”

I glared at Hawk. “I’m not masking anything. Letting them go is fucking breaking me, and if anything happens to them, I will break this world.”

Hawk nodded once.

I turned around and walked to Mira and Bella. I pulled them both into a tight embrace. “Stay safe,” I murmured, kissing the tops of their heads. “Be smart. And look out for each other.”

Mira sniffled against my chest. “We will. You be careful, too, okay?”

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Always am.”

Bella pulled back, her eyes fierce despite the tears threatening to spill. “We’ll take real good care of Jemma, I promise.”

“I know you will,” I said, squeezing her shoulder. “That’s why I trust you both with her.”

I looked at each of them in turn, memorizing their faces. My baby sisters, all grown up and facing danger because of me. The guilt gnawed at my insides, but I pushed it down. Now wasn’t the time for self-pity.

“I love you both,” I said, my voice gruff with emotion. “Remember everything I taught you. Trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate.”

They nodded and hugged me once more before stepping back.

I watched as they gathered their bags, same as Jemma. The three of them together—my sisters and my wife—was a sight that both warmed and chilled my blood.

I caught Dante’s eye. He gave me a subtle nod, silently promising to keep them safe.

I returned the gesture, grateful for his presence, as well as Donnelly’s.

With a final look at my sisters, I steeled myself for the hardest goodbye of all.

I turned to Jemma, drank in every detail of her face. Her green eyes were bright with unshed tears, and I fought the urge to wipe them away, knowing if I touched her now, I might not be able to let go.

Instead, I grabbed her zipper and closed it all the way. “You better not do anything stupid, Punk,” I said softly, my voice rougher than I intended. “You’re stronger than you think, and remember, you’re a Salvini now. Gotta represent.” I winked at her in an attempt to lighten the mood a little—not that it worked.

She raised an eyebrow, but her grip on her backpack tightened.

We walked to the door together, our steps slow and measured. I could feel the eyes of everyone on us, but I didn’t care. At that moment, it was just Jemma and me.

At the threshold, I stopped and turned to face her. I cupped her face in my hands, memorizing the feel of her skin under my fingertips.

“I’ll come for you as soon as it’s safe,” I promised, my voice low and fierce.

She leaned into my touch, her eyes never leaving mine. “I’ll be waiting.”

I pulled her to me one last time, crushing her against my chest. I breathed in her scent, trying to imprint it on my memory before I pushed her into her father’s arms.

With one last look over her shoulder, she walked to the three black SUVs and followed my sisters into the one in the middle.

I stood rooted to the spot, my eyes fixed on the vehicles as they pulled away from the house. The tinted windows concealed the precious cargo inside—my sisters, my wife, my heart.

The vehicles moved down the long driveway, then disappeared into the woods. We’d decided to keep a low profile for the short drive to the private airstrip, where Hawk’s jet was already waiting. Nobody knew they were leaving, so we didn’t expect any complications. And even if, Hawk’s guys were the top of the crop.

And yet.

My chest tightened as I watched the most important people in my life disappear.

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