Page 5 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

The tallest of the men grabbed her, yanking the strap of her dress down. “Is daddy going to come kick my ass now?”

Something was off. My eyes narrowed, flickering in anger that they were handling a female that way. The demons dwelling in my mind told me to walk away and let her suffer. She was the daughter of the very man who killed one of my uncles and several others during an ambush on a trip to Sicily. While her dad may not have been the one to pull the trigger on the others, he killed my uncle in front of my father.

Just as I took a step to leave, I watched as another stuck his hand up her dress then yanked her to his body. She screamed and pleaded for anyone to help her. Glancing at the sky, I huffed then raced across the parking lot toward them without further reservation. Clutching the back of the guy's jacket, I heaved him off Sofia. She stumbled backward, catching herself against the side of a yellow car. Fist clenched tightly, I hauled it back before hammering it to the middle of his face. He tripped on his own feet, crashing to the asphalt near Sofia. She darted out of the way and hastily hid behind me.

Quickly, I drew my gun, aiming it at each of them. “Leave, now!”

“Whoa man!” Hands in the air, the shortest, bald man cowered. “We were just having some fun.” The three of them took off, disappearing into the alley behind the club.

Movement on the ground stole my attention. “I suggest you join your friends before I get angry.” Pursing my lips, I gnawed the inside of my cheek. Sofia buried her head into the back of my leather jacket, causing my gaze to widen.

The man stumbled to his feet, swaying. Cupping his nose and mouth in his palm, he nodded, racing after his friends. I turned to Sofia. She let go. Taking a step back, I checked the safety on my weapon before returning it to my back waistband.

“Where did you park, Sofia?”

She pointed to a brand-new Mercedes Benz AMG, just a few spaces away. Offering a curt nod, I followed her, examining the surroundings. She came to a stop at the front of her car and spun around.

“Thank you.” She folded her arms over her chest.

“Just get home safely.” Sliding my hands in my pockets, I studied the private lot’s entrance before forcing my gaze to meet hers. “And maybe don't speak of this to your family.”

“Do you need a ride somewhere?”

Tilting my head, I raised my eyebrows.

“ mean, since you clearly don't have a car.” She shrugged, darting her eyes around.

“I have a car.” I rolled my eyes. “It's just not here.”

“Get in.” She reached for the door.

I slipped in front of her, grabbing the handle, opening the door. “You get in.”

A smirk painted her face as she slid in the driver's seat, starting the engine.

Slowly backing up, I shrugged before spinning away on the heels of my shoes.

“Gavino!”

I froze, shoving my hands in my jacket pockets, still facing away.

“A ride somewhere is not going to kill you.”

Snorting, I spun around. “You're living in a fantasy world.”

With her window down, she lifted her a shoulder. “No one has to know.” She leaned on the edge of the door, resting her chin on her arm.

Our gazes locked. Fists clenched I debated walking away. I should have run. I should have done anything other than get in that car with her. Suddenly, the night was dark and full of terrors. The air swelled, thickening. For a moment, I believed I had been stabbed with a sedative from behind before realizing it was the universe's way of telling me to leave. However, I made a decision that would cause my entire world to come crashing down on me at once. A decision that would alter the rest of my life, my family's life.

Wordlessly, I double-checked the area before marching to the passenger's side, opening the door, and sliding in. Exhaling, I closed the door, glaring at her as the window glided closed behind her.

“Where am I taking you?” She waited.

There was no way she was going to drive me to my house. Our estate was locked down like a supermax prison. Cameras positioned on the property captured any motion inside and outside the gates. Sofia would be killed on the spot, and it was unclear what my own father would have done to me if he caught us. I rolled my bottom lip between my fingers, thinking about angering him, but it was not worth it.

“My stu...firehouse.” As we pulled out of the parking lot, my phone vibrated. Slipping it from my pocket I read a text notification from Joey.

Ran into Mallory outside sorry! Where'd you go?

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