Page 150 of Pride

I quickly turn my attention away from the fire and start the car, driving off into the night, Bella’s hand firmly intertwined with mine. And in this moment, I am certain that everything will be okay. It’s as if I’ve been reborn, finally shedding a weight that has been so heavy to bear. With Gio and the men involved dead, and Bella by my side, I feel as free as a bird.

The far-off sirens in the distance give us a warning that we need to get off the property.

Bella looks worried as she squeezes my hand. “We’re going to get caught.”

I shake my head. “No, those sirens are further than you think.”

I get to the end of the long drive and turn left, despite the city being the other way, as I don’t want to risk passing the police.

“You’re going the wrong way,” Bella points out.

“I’m well aware, but we don’t want the police spotting us at all. Especially not when I’m the son-in-law of one of the men who just died.”

She nods. “Good thinking.”

Speeding away, once we get to the next turn, I take a right and then circle back on myself so we end up on the main road back to Washington. There’s a somber silence between us as we make the rest of the drive, anticipation of what’s coming looming over us both like a dark cloud.

When we get back to the flat, we’re walking through the front door when Bella’s cell phone rings on the hallway table.

“Oh shit,” she says, meeting my gaze. After a moment’s hesitation, she rushes over to it and picks it up, looking at me with fearful eyes. “It’s Nina. Do you think they know already?”

I shrug. “Only one way to find out.”

She picks up the phone on speaker. “Hey.”

“You need to get over here right now. There’s been an accident.”

I swallow hard. “What kind of accident?”

“There’s no time to explain. Just get over here as fast as you can.” She ends the call and I can see her hands are shaking.

“The news must be in,” I say simply.

“How am I going to face them?”

I walk over to her and grab her shoulders, looking her in the eyes. “You will face them because you have no choice.”

“Okay, you will be there by my side, right?”

I’ll never get used to her looking at me the way she’s looking at me now. All signs of contempt she felt for me when we first met are entirely eradicated.

“Always.”

“Okay, let’s go.” She turns and marches out of the door, and I follow her.

Apprehension plagues me as I wonder how it’s going to feel walking into that home after murdering Gio. It’s a miracle I agreed to only kill him, and not the rest of her family, but as soon as my feelings toward her changed, I knew I couldn’t hurt the people she loves.

I drive us over to the house and once we get inside, there’s a solemn mood, even from the staff. The maid ushers us into the living room where her family is gathered, although there’s no sign of Viola.

“What’s going on?” Bella asks.

“Dad’s dead. There was a fire at the party he was at,” Nina says, tears streaking down her face as she holds out a hand to Bella.

Bella swallows hard and takes it, hugging her sister. “What caused the fire?”

“We don’t have any details at the moment,” Maria adds.

Her brow furrows. “Where’s Mom?”

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