Page 133 of Creed

“Including her family,” Antonio snaps.

My anxiety and control of my emotions are shredding fast.

“I’m not trying to keep her from her family,” Creed growls, and I sense his control slipping, too.

“Enough!” I look between the two people I love. “Both of you.” I fight to rein in my panic and anger. “Creed, Antonio is just worried about me. And Antonio, neither Creed nor any of his family are trying to come between us.”

Creed kisses the crown of my head. “I’m sorry, angel.”

Antonio comes closer and touches my cheek. “I’m sorry, too.”

I stare at Antonio, willing him to accept my next words. “I’m staying with Creed.”

“It’s her choice, Antonio,” Miguel replies before Antonio can voice the internal war that’s playing out within him. “Creed will protect Sophie with his life. You can clearly see that, even if you don’t like it.”

I give Miguel a thankful look, and he nods.

“The Santoro family is fully behind protecting Sophie,” Andro vows. “My cousin loves her and will use all his legal and legitimate means to protect her, as well as hiscriminalfamily will protect her from those criminals. Plus, your team. It’s a win-win here.”

Hope blooms in me, pushing some panic and dread to the side.

Tag stands. “I agree with Creed that this is too public of place. If it’s determined the best and safest place for Sophie is your family’s estate in San Francisco, then there’s the risk of traveling there. We can add to your security team to ensure you get safely to the plane.”

Severyn suddenly jerks for some reason, and her eyes lock with Tag’s. They step away from the group, lean their heads together, and speak quietly and quickly.

We all stand, realizing something is happening.

“What’s going on?” Creed demands.

Tag finally turns from Severyn back to us. “Ortez and his crew are headed in this direction.”

The floor tilts as my panic and terror rears.

Has my father found out where I am?

Everyone here is at risk because of me.

“How do you know that? You were supposed to be clean when you entered here.” Creed seems to enlarge beside me, ready to protect me at all costs, even with his life.

I can’t lose him.I won’t, I vow.

“Weapons, yes,” Tag replies flatly. “Comms weren’t mentioned.”

Andro steps closer to Tag and Severyn. “You were checked.”

She holds up her hand. “It doesn’t matter. We need to move.Now.”

Creed rakes his teeth over his lip, assessing her and Tag. “Sonotjust a songwriter-musician,” he says to Severyn before turning his glare to Tag. “Is now when you actually outright confirm you’re not Len’sliaison?”

Tag steps closer so they’re toe-to-toe. “Do we have a fucking show-and-tell session right now, or do we get the women we love out of here before it’s too late? Considering you made us come in here with no weapons.”

“You’re right. We’ll exit that way.” Creed jerks his head toward the secret passages. “Our tech people can work together. Crispin is already into the CCTV systems outside.”

Severyn smirks. “And our tech genius is already in your club's system.”

“Motherfucker,” Creed snarls, but then laughs. “Thanks for flagging there are vulnerabilities to patch up. And glad we’re on the same team.”

My head spins. My father is coming for me. This team is helping us. Weapons. Death games.

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