Page 246 of Inferno

“Maybe I’ll add some color just like you’ve drawn; I’ll get it tattooed on. To represent what you’ve added to my life, baby girl.”

She grins at me and my heart explodes.

I’ll tattoo anything she draws on me if it means she smiles like that at me.

I turn away and wipe my tears.

I cuddle my daughter tight. I never want to let her go, not now that I have her.

“I love you,” I whisper.

Guilt sits in my chest, suffocating me.

I never told Charlotte I love her. Even though I do, with all my damn heart.

Five years I spent hating her, when actually, I simply wanted her to heal those shattered pieces inside me. To just love me and remind me that I’m not a monster.

To look at me how she did in Italy.

I made her a promise to protect Isabella with my life, I’ll honor that.

She needs her mom.

We both do.

“I’ll be back soon, okay. I promise. Daddy is never leaving you.”

“Okay, Daddy,” she chirps.

That gives me a new sense of determination to give her the life she deserves.

Closing the door softly behind me, I head out to the rest of the guys loading up the trucks.

“We good to go?” I ask, checking my Rolex.

“You’re with me, bro.” Conan hits the hood of the all-black Bugatti with his palm.

“And Finn?” I question.

I need both of my brothers nearby. They’re the two I truly trust with my fucking life.

“I’ll be in the first truck behind. I’ve brought medical supplies, just in case,” he tells me softly, and secures his flat cap.

“Enzo has already set the Bugatti up with the navigation to the tracker, we’re good to go.” Conan taps the metal before hopping in.

I do the same, and the engine roars to life.

“Let me guess, you’ll be purchasing one of these to add to your collection?” I ask him.

My head almost hits the dash as he flies out of the driveway.

“Fuck. Yes. I’ll get ten.”

“Just watch out for ice,” I tell him, keeping my eyes on the road.

“We got enough weapons in this thing?”

“Yeah, it’s got a Frunk. I filled it with some goodies. Don’t worry.”

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