Page 184 of My Sweetest Temptation

I’d fucked up.

I stared at the wreckage in the living room when Enzo joined me with two other agents.

“That was a fucking bloodbath, Nico,” he snapped. “I told you to let me and my team handle it.”

I whipped my gun from its holster and pointed it right at Enzo. His men mirrored my actions, weapons drawn, tension thickening the air. “What the hell are you doing here, cop? I didn’t invite you, let alone your dogs, into my home.”

“We’re on the same team here, Nico.” He raised his hands.

“No, we’re not. You fucking betrayed me. You let them take Winter from me.” My voice was a low growl, each word laced with fury.

“That was on you!” Enzo shot back as he jabbed a finger in my direction. “YOU! You tied her to a fucking chair. YOU left her! Fuck you! If anyone betrayed anyone, it’s you!”

I staggered back, my guilt crashing over me. I had to get her back, and make it all up to her, but how? Where could I even start? She could be anywhere by now.

“What the hell happened?” Enzo demanded.

“Davina sold Nico out,” Lo responded.

“What?” Liam jolted upright, disbelief etched on his face.

I forgot the fucker was still there.

“What are you talking about?” Enzo snapped, his eyes darting between them. After a beat, his frustration boiled over. “Somebody better start talking. Now.”

The guys shared the details of what Walsh revealed, and that his death was the consequence for his actions.

“I should’ve done a better job of protecting her,” Liam muttered.

“Jesus, fuck,” Enzo muttered, his shoulders sagging as he collapsed back onto the couch. “Where’s Davina now?”

“My men are looking for her.”

Enzo ran his good hand down his face, "Okay. It’s time to bring in the big guns." “No cops or agents,” I interjected, my voice firm.

Enzo shot me a sharp look, his jaw clenched. “I wasn’t talking about the cops.”

“Then what?” Lo asked, confusion flickering across his face.

“Her father.”

We turned toward the doorway, drawn by the voice of a man I’d never met before. He wore all black and looked like he was ready to go to war.

“Who the fuck are you?” I barked. "And who let you in?"

“He’s my father,” Liam replied, moving to stand beside the man.

The man’s gaze softened momentarily as he looked at Liam. “Are you okay, son?”

“Yeah, but they took Winter, Dad.”

“What?” The man’s head snapped in my direction, fury igniting in his eyes. “How did that happen? Where is she?”

“Hold the fuck up,” Luca said, stepping forward. “How do you know her?”

“I’m Dante,” he declared, his voice a low growl. “I knew her mother. My brother and I were asked to look after her.”

“Well, you did a great job of that, didn’t you?” I retorted, my sarcasm dripping with bitterness.

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