Page 38 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

“Your father knows about the studio.” He sounded as if he were gritting his teeth in pure bitterness. “And he knows I spend a lot of time there.”

“Oh.” I mumbled, not knowing exactly what to say. I came to a stop, letting go of his hand. “But that place was so perfect.”

He chuckled. “It's just a possession to me.” He dropped his shoes and placed his hands on my shoulders. “I can always find another place like that, but I have my reasons for why I needed it to happen.”

Puzzled, I shook my head. “But how did you and Nick get involved…together?”

“He came to me about you.” He shrugged.

My mouth fell agape. He pinned his bottom lip between his teeth, stifling a smile.

“Why and how?”

“He found me after I went to visit my father in jail.” He sighed, picking his shoes up off the shore and then placed his free hand in mine again. He continued as we walked further down the beach. “He told me he didn't understand what you saw in me but something about the way your face looked during a stressful talk with him in your bedroom? I have no idea, but I guess it made him feel like shit.”

Shock overwhelmed me. Everyone knew Nick was sneaky, and usually not the good kind when it came to enemies. I was hoping his true intentions were pure this time. I did not want to blindly trust him even though he was my brother. It could all go downhill fast and that's what I wanted to avoid.

“Nick is kind of—” I didn't know how to finish that sentence without sounding like a horrible sister.

“A loose cannon?” He chuckled. “Yes, I'm well aware. I’ve been warned by Joey. He and I made a little arrangement.” Pursing his lips, he chewed the inside of his cheek.

Freezing in my tracks, I spun to Gavino, dropping my shoes. I no longer cared if they got wet. I crossed my arms high on my chest, glaring at him in anger. “What the hell did you agree to?” I buried my head in my palms. “God, Gavino! Nick’s such a manipulator!” I wanted to cry, but I was too angry.

He swallowed hard then cupped my cheek in his palm. “Please don't worry about that right now.”

There was no way I was going to accept this answer and his reply told me all I needed to know. “This agreement came with a big price, didn't it?” I inhaled a shallow, shaky breath. “He hates your family, so I know whatever you offered him made him happy enough to help us see each other.”

The more I thought about this, the sadder I became. I wanted to press him for info, but I also knew the code of the Mafia and they did not talk under any circumstance. Most did not even talk to their wives about what they did. Some broke the rules and did talk. And Gavino was one of them now. The fact he told me not to worry about it meant that I would not only worry about it, but I would have to pretend everything was fine around Nick.

“Sofia.” He glanced up at the sky with only his eyes and took a deep breath. “The house your brother dropped you off at belongs to a mutual party named Alistair, who will keep you safe when something bad happens.”

Panic washed over my face. “What do you mean when?!”

“You know that I am in charge now.”

I nodded, shifting my weight.

He crossed his arms then brought one of his hands to his chin. “I have to do what I need to do to protect my family.”

“So?” I arched my brow.

11

“This means I have to…fuck.” I yanked my pistol from my rear waistband with one hand and jerked Sofia behind me with the other. Using my body, I shielded her from the approaching danger. I glared at the two men approaching us at a rapid pace. They were dressed in suits and gripping their weapons at their sides. Fortunately, they had not seen us yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time.

I squatted down in the sand, dragging her down with me. The tall coastal grass aided us in hiding near the abandoned pier. She leaned onto my back, peeking over my shoulder in their direction.

“Do you recognize them?” I muttered

“Only the really tall guy on the right.”

I exhaled. “Sofia, this is where I have to leave you.”

She grabbed my shoulders. “What? No!”

I twisted to face her and grabbed her wrist with my free hand. “Baby, I have to go because I know they are here to take you home. They’re your people.”

Her body was vibrating. “They’re going to hurt me.”

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