Page 82 of Captivated

His eyes are unwavering with his words, making me feel his sincerity. “Thank you.” I nod, and he gives me one of his own, appreciating my understanding of his burden.

“I’ll drive you two and remain in the car at the curb,” Gabriel tells me.

“And I’ll be driving Leo,” Marco adds.

“Are you sure we need so many people?” I ask to no one in particular, but glance up at Nico.

“We’re making a united front so they know who they’re dealing with and won’t keep asking you for more money or get your brother back into debt.”

“I don’t know how to keep him out of trouble after this. He already almost gambled the other night, but I was able to convince him to come home before he did.”

“I’ve thought of that,” Leo continues. “He needs to get away from here and what he’s used to. I can send him to Miami and he’ll help our cousins, Saverio and Matteo, run our club down there.”

“Miami?” I balk, surprised by the offer. “Is that any better than here to keep him from gambling?”

“We’ll give him a purpose. Responsibility. Plus, the sun and women down there will motivate him to stay in line.”

I don’t want to agree for him, but I think a change of scenery would do Sean well. “We can give him the choice, but it’ll have to be his choice. Thank you for the offer. I wasn’t expecting that.”

“We’ll help you and your brother any way you need.”

“Thank you.”

Nico squeezes my hand and I squeeze his back to let him know how much I appreciate him. I didn’t expect his family to be like this. They’re all ready and willing to band together to help me and Sean when they don’t know us. I know I’m with Nico, and I know he said family comes first, but to see it, hear it, and experience it firsthand is heartwarming. Like real families still exist.

“I don’t know where they’re keeping him. We met at Lucky’s Pub yesterday and they dragged him down the back hall, but I don’t know if he’s still there.”

“We do. I hacked into their security cameras in and around the pub, and he never left.”

“Oh, okay. Good then. At least we know where he is.”

“He’ll be fine,piccante. It’s only been a day,” Nico reminds me.

“Then let’s go.”

“You should stay here with Stef and Luca,” Leo suggests, and my head whips back towards him.

“That’s not going to happen. I already met that asshole yesterday and he doesn’t scare me. He’s expecting me, and that’s who he’s going to get. You can come if you want as backup, but I need to be there.”

“Be your backup?” Leo swipes his hand over his mouth to try and hide his smile, but I catch it.

“I like her,” Marco says, giving Nico a nod of approval, which has him rumbling next to me.

“I see why you call herpiccante,” Gabriel adds, throwing me a wink.

“That’s enough,” Nico growls, and the men at the table smirk. They like seeing him mad over me, and I won’t lie, I like it too. It’s sweet. In a possessive, alpha way that makes me want to jump him again. “Let’s go.”

Nico grabs the duffel of money and we all head down to the garage. This time, we get into a blacked-out Range Rover that seems like it’s fitted with enough extras to withstand a firefight.

Our SUV leads the way to Woodlawn Heights with Leo’s following.

“Why aren’t we doing this ourselves?” I ask Nico. “Do you think we need so many extra people? What if it leads to conflict?”

“I won’t let anything happen to you, Cassie. I promise.”

“I know. I just… It was a lot for me to accept the help to begin with. Now, most of your family is involved, and…” I shake my head.

“Hey,” he says, turning my face towards his. “This is what we do. We plan and execute. Together. You’re not in this alone anymore. You don’tneedto be in this alone anymore.”

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