Page 172 of Sinful Honor

Sophie stared up at me, her eyes wide with shock and confusion. “What…happened?”

I smoothed her hair back from her face, my heart pounding as the adrenaline rushed through my veins. “It’s alright. You’re safe.” That was all I could offer for the moment. I wasn’t ready to tell her the truth about Fausto and my father, not here and now. Not when she was feeling so frail in my arms.

Alessio turned his head and stared at me until our gazes locked as Moretti groaned on the floor, blood staining his white shirt.

My mother rushed to Moretti’s side, taking his hand in hers. “Salvo, you idiot. What did you do?” She glanced over at Fausto’s body with a mixture of hatred and disgust.

Two doctors and several nurses rushed in, stopping short at the scene of carnage before them. “We need a stretcher in here!” one doctor yelled out the door.

They descended on Moretti and went to work trying to stabilize him as my mother was gently moved out of the way.

I looked between Sophie and my family, torn. I didn’t want to leave Sophie’s side, but I needed to speak to my mother and the doctors to ensure Moretti would pull through.

If he died, we would have an all-out war with the Moretti family on our hands.

Alessandro seemed to read my mind. He was still standing at Moretti’s head, next to Moretti’s guy when he mouthed, “I’ve got this. Stay with Sophie.” Then he leaned down when Moretti started to talk—though it was a gurgled mess.

It would be a wonder if he pulled through.

Cristo guided my mother across the room, speaking to her in gentle, soothing tones as tears streamed down her face.

He guided her out of the room, giving me a nod as they left. At least I could count on my brothers when it mattered.

I sat on the edge of Sophie’s bed, taking her hand in mine. Her skin was cold and clammy, and she looked as if she might faint at any moment.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” I said quietly. “There’s more going on here than you realize, but I promise I will explain everything. Right now, I just need you to focus on yourself and get well.”

She gave a shaky nod, then cocked her head and swallowed hard. “Tell me at least what happened. Who is Salvo, and why was Fausto here?” Her gaze drifted to the blood staining the floor beneath Fausto’s body, and her face paled further.

“Shhh. Don’t look at him.” I brushed her hair back, gently caressing her cheek.

“Tell me.”

I sighed, then pressed a kiss to her forehead, breathing in her familiar scent. “Fausto was the one who killed my father. And Moretti was there.”

Her head snapped up. “Holy shit.” She grabbed my hand. “Gabe.”

That one word was layered with emotion, her distress, her sadness, her sympathy.

She offered me a trembling smile, then hesitantly offered me a hug.

My chest tightened as I pulled her into my lap and my embrace and could feel her arms wrap around me, as well.

I held her close, inhaled her scent, relief washing over me at having her here, safe in my embrace.

No matter what else happened, as long as she was safe in my arms, the world could go to shit and I didn’t care.

My family’s business, my enemies, even my demons—none of it seemed so daunting with Sophie next to me.

And I was never going to give her up again, no matter the cost.

“You’re the most important thing in my life,” I said, then sighed against her hair. “I love you, Sophie.”

And just like that, all tension left her body, and she melted against me.

I held her tighter. “I’ve got you. And I’m never letting you go again.”

And she looked up at me with the most angelic smile.

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