Page 107 of Creed

“Sylvie’s birthday is Thursday,” Antonio says, not hiding his worry.

Sophie would never miss calling Sylvie on her birthday, especially since this is the first year she won’t be physically there for it. She's videocalled all her other cousins on their birthdays, and if she doesn’t call Sylvie on hers, that means…

I squeeze my eyes shut and two tears roll down my cheeks. Frustrated at myself, I quickly wipe them away.

“Hey.” The sofa dips on my other side as Miguel sits beside me. “How about you go lay down? You can use the bedroom.”

I shake my head, exhaustion blasting through every cell of my body. “I do need sleep, but I won’t impose. I’ll go back to my dorm.”

“I can give you a ride,” Miguel offers, looking at Antonio. “Antonio is going to lie down and rest, too.”

Antonio looks like he’s about to disagree, but Miguel levels him with what I can only call a dominant stare, and Antonio clamps his mouth shut and gives a slight nod.

“We have to play this smart,” Ryn says. “We’ll work on this in shifts, but everyone needs rest because, without it, that’s when details can be missed.”

“Or things get dangerous,” Tag grits.

“You’ll call me if you find out anything?” I glance around at them all.

“Of course,” Ryn says.

I want to hug her, not even fangirling right now. I’m just so freaking grateful they’re here to help find my friend. Nothing has changed, but I feel a little less hopeless and helpless right now.

“Come on, Ollie.” Miguel rises. “I’ll drive you home.” Looking at Antonio, he pauses and says, “I want you in bed when I get back.”

“Yes, sir,” he mutters.

I clamp my hand over my mouth to muffle my shocked laugh.

Antonio smiles, hugging me as we stand. “Get some rest tonight. If it helps you to be here with us, then come back and hang out tomorrow, okay?”

“What if I miss Sophie coming back to our place?”

“We have eyes on your dorm,” Tag states. “We’re watching for Sophie.”

“That’s sort of creepy.” I shiver. “But good.”

“Come on.” Miguel leads me to the door.

Exhaustion makes it a struggle to move my feet. I don’t know if I’ll be able to sleep tonight, but Ryn is right; I can’t help Sophie if I’m a zombie. And I’ll do whatever I need to do to help my friend. I’ll even give my blood if it means she comes back safe and sound.

Chapter 32

Creed

It’s Sunday, and Sophieis increasingly agitated that I’ve forbidden her from contacting her family or Ollie. I won’t compromise if it risks her safety; we still don’t know what we’re up against.

I know Sophie's logic is sound: her explanation to Ollie was that she was going away for the weekend. So, if there’s no word from her, Ollie will freak out and involve her family and the police. The only solution I’m willing to give on is Crispin recording Sophie as if she were leaving a voicemail for Ollie and herabuela, and he’ll push it to their phones.

Sophie gave in to that idea, but not until we had our first argument that included the necessary anger-fucking and me edging her, and then the make-up sex where I made her sob from so many orgasms.

Papá’s cough wrenches my attention back to the dire situation we’re facing right now. He, Massimo, Vito, and I are in his office, along with Ash, Bane, and Army, who just arrived.

Mammabrings in a tray of biscotti, torcetti, and an orange ricotta cake roll that she and Sophie made.

I loop an arm around Sophie’s waist and wipe some flour off her chin, trying to ignore the phlegmy rattle sound in my father’s chest as he coughs again. She bites her lip, looking worried, both forPapáand for the presence of the three bikers in the office. She knows Bane and Army, but she’s wary that they’re here now with the MC’s prez.

Bane steps up to us and dips his chin. He, Ash, and the rest of the Havoc Guardians' Council have always respected me, even though I choose not to operate in their world. He smiles at Sophie. “Sugar.”

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