Page 296 of Hate Mates

"I'm sorry about your sister. You did this for her."

I stare into his pain-laden eyes. "And she tried to kill me. You took a bullet for me. Why?"

I don't know how to feel about those two things.

"You're my wife. I'll always protect you, Sole."

I can't help the tears that spring in my eyes. "Ludovico raped and abused my mom. Now he took my sister from me, after he swore to protect me."

"I'm not him, Sole. You..." He winces. "You can trust me."

I know I can. He proved it. And that's when I make my decision.

"I believe you. You're my family now, Dario. I'm always going to protect you too."

Epilogue

SIX WEEKS LATER

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I ask from the comfort of our bed.

Sole's at the window again, watching the deer and her fawn graze on the yard. I'm caught up on her naked flesh, all curves that set my body on fire just minutes ago. But it's the smile she turns on me that lives in my head when I'm even a few minutes away from her.

"You're not leaving me behind," she says, crossing the room and sitting on the bed facing me.

"I don't want to be away from you." I run my hands from her neck, down her chest to her belly. "We already know I'm being called because of Ludovico and Caballero'svínculoand their disaffiliation fromLa Alianza."

She covers my hand with hers, cradling it against her belly. "Thank you for taking care of me." Her smile softens. "We faced so much in such little time. My sister's betrayal, your father's death, and you getting shot?—"

"Our baby," I say, and her hand flexes over mine. Getting to know each other hasn't come without our usual heated spats, but we make upcon ganasafter.

"I am not a delicate flower, Dario."

"That, I know." She's more like a gorgeous grenade. One I enjoy disarming with gestures and watching her detonate when her passions boil over. "I won't mention it again, partner."

Because that's what we are, partners, allies.

She leans to kiss my lips. "I never expected to love you."

Heat explodes in my chest, making my pulse quicken. And I hold on tight to her. Because the war is coming but so is our child.

"I don't want to live without you, Sole," I say, laying my head on her chest.

"I'm not going anywhere," she whispers against my hair.

I'll make sure she won't. Our baby will have both of us. No matter who else has to die.

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