Page 78 of Claimed By the Enemy
“Now we figure out how to keep you safe from your uncle while we find out who’s really been pulling the strings.”
“Dom,” Raff interjects quietly, “if Enzo Bellini is planning to kill you-”
“Then we’ll deal with that. But first, we need to understand what we’re really fighting.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that someone’s been playing a very long game with both our families. Someone who benefits from us destroying each other instead of working together.”
Sophie frowns. “Who?”
“I don’t know yet. But I intend to find out.”
I help Sophie to her feet, pulling her into my arms. She feels fragile against me, like she might break if I hold her too tightly.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers against my chest. “I’m so sorry for lying to you.”
“I’m sorry for asking Raff to spy on you instead of just asking you to trust me.”
“I do trust you. I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone.”
“Then we’ll figure this out together.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Sophie pulls back to look at me, and I can see some of the fear starting to fade from her eyes. “What about Uncle Enzo?”
“What about him?”
“He’s going to be expecting an answer soon. If I don’t give him one-”
“Then we’ll make sure you don’t have to.”
“How?”
“I don’t know yet. But Sophie, you’re not alone in this anymore. Whatever happens, we face it together.”
She nods, wiping away the last of her tears. “I should go. Let you and Raff figure out what to do next.”
“Are you sure? We could-”
“I’m sure. I need some air anyway.”
Sophie kisses me softly, a gesture so full of love and gratitude that it makes my chest ache.
“I’ll see you at home,” she says.
“Sophie.” I catch her hand as she starts to leave. “I love you, too.”
Her smile is the first genuine one I’ve seen from her in days. “I know.”
After she leaves, Raff and I sit in silence for several minutes, both of us processing what just happened.
“Well,” Raff says finally, “that was not what I expected.”
“No kidding.”
