Page 120 of Bellini Born
I gave a slight shake of my head, a silent signal for him to drop it until later. Right now, my focus was on getting my family secured within the impenetrable walls of the penthouse and then going scorched earth on those who dared to put their lives in danger.
The rest of the drive passed in silence. Summer’s head dropped onto my shoulder at one point, the sound of her deep breathing indicating she’d fallen asleep. A glance into the third row showed the girls had also passed out. Even though I was exhausted as hell, I couldn’t succumb to the call of slumber. Not when there was business to attend to and a message to send that you didn’t fuck with the Bellinis.
Once we pulled into the parking garage beneath the building, I reluctantly woke my sleeping beauties. With a kiss to Summer’s forehead, I whispered, “We’re home.”
She let out a little moan as she stretched, her eyes still closed. “So tired.”
Gently unlatching her seatbelt, I replied, “I know. Let’s get you upstairs, and then you can all go back to your naps.”
The most adorable pout pursed on her lips as her lashes fluttered open, and those vibrant blue eyes that never failed to take my breath away locked on my face. “You joining me?”
I sighed, stroking her hair. “I wish I could, but I have to take care of something first.”
Understanding dawned, and she sat upright, fear flickering in her gaze. “Now? But we just got here.”
“That’s exactly why I have to do it now. Before word gets around that I’m back in the city and it ruins the element of surprise. There’s a small window where we have the advantage, and I can’t waste it.”
She gnawed on her lower lip. “I don’t like this, Matteo.”
Cupping her cheeks, I leaned in until our foreheads rested together. “You’ll be safe here. I promise.”
Summer trembled in my hold, and her voice wavered when she asked, “What about your safety?”
My eyes squeezed shut, and I swallowed thickly. “I will do everything in my power to come home to you.”
“But you can’t promise that you will come home.”
“No, I can’t.” I refused to lie to her. “But if anything happens to me, Enzo will take care of you and the girls.”
She let out a scoff. “I didn’t marry Enzo. I married you.” Clutching at my shirt, she begged on a whisper, “Don’t make me a widow today.”
Fuck, she was ripping my heart to shreds, one word at a time.
Tipping her chin up, I wiped away the tears lining her beautiful face. “Trust me. The thought of you moving on with another man is enough motivation for me to fight like hell to stay alive.”
Watery laughter sounded. She might still be upset, but at least the mood had been lightened a bit. I would take that as a win, even if I hadn’t been joking. A murderous rage coursed through my veins at the mental picture of another man’s hands on her body, claiming what would always be mine—even in death.
“We ready to go up?” Enzo broke into our private moment.
“Are we?” I searched Summer’s eyes.
Her chin dipped. “As ready as we’ll ever be.”
I lowered my head for a kiss, murmuring, “You’ve got this, my brave girl.”
A wry grin twisted on her lips. “At least one of us thinks so.”
She was stronger than she realized, but I prayed today would not be the day that strength was put to the ultimate test.
“You actually married her?”
I remained focused on strapping on my tactical gear. “Yes.”
“Like married, married?” Enzo pressed. “Like ’til death do us part?”
“That’s usually how it goes.”
When he remained silent for too long, I finally dared to glance up to find my cousin staring at me, his head tipped to the side.
