Page 83 of Lies like Rubies, Part Two (Savage Jewels)

Dante froze, pain etched into every rigid line of his body, as he stared at Sofia. I debated how to defuse the situation. We needed to get Sofia through her last final, through the gala, across the stage for her graduation, and hope it was enough to draw out Sergio into doing something stupid.

Nick was right behind her, one hand landed on her waist, gently rubbing. “Sofia, now is not the time.”

“It absolutely is the fucking time,” she exploded, drawing forward. She dropped into an armchair and slammed her fist on the table, shaking the small cameras there. “Someone was watching my daughter!” Her voice rose and her body shook with rage. “Sergio Accardi kidnapped me, and you promised it would never happen again. I walked straight back into your bed in exchange for yourcontinued protection of my daughter. And you failed. Again.”

Someone was watching Sofia too, but that didn’t even phase our sweet woman.

Dante’s face revealed nothing as Sofia raged.

“Can we talk here?” she asked, grimly, ignoring his silent plea, sitting in the armchair like a queen.

Dante shook his head and pressed his lips into a tight line before answering, “The hacker will have to do a more thorough sweep tomorrow. What time’s your exam?”

“Ten,” Sofia answered, her eyes not softening as her gaze swept over the three of us, the men who’d promised to keep her safe, leaving Dante hovering awkwardly, steps away from her.

She ignored him. “The plan doesn’t change, then.” She looked up at the ceiling. “If you’re watching, Sergio, go to hell. You’re not chasing me out of my house, and you’re not getting in the way of my graduation.”

When Sofia stood, it was to dismiss us. “I’m going to bed. I’m going to get up early to study.”

She left the living room, her back ramrod straight, leaving the three of us staring at each other, wondering how we were going to keep her safe.

“Fuck,” Dante swore.

Pretty much.

An hour later, I knocked on her door, certain she’d be tossing and turning instead of sleeping.

Her eyes had deep shadows under them. “What do you need?” she asked, frowning. “Is Lizzie okay?”

“I hate the idea of you going to bed angry,” I answered softly, leaning on the doorframe. “At any of us.”

That Sicilian fucker might drive me up a wall, but Sofia liked him. She’d told him in no uncertain terms that shewanted to keep me, and he’d respected that. Immediately. The least I could do is give him the same respect. Like it or not, we were family now, all invested in keeping Sofia safe, and all of us desperate to find a way to worm ourselves into her life in a more permanent manner.

Her eyes flicked to the thin line of skin that showed between my T-shirt and my jeans, and I knew I had her.

I tilted my head down to capture her lips in a gentle kiss, nipping and nibbling, rather than conquering. When she ran her hands up my chest, I clasped them in mine. “Please, Sofia. Don’t make him stew in his own misery all night.”

She twisted her lips in annoyance, but stepped out into the hallway, following me toward the common areas of the house. “Come to bed,” she ordered Nick and Dante, who were quietly talking, blond and brunet, an angel and a devil.

Dante sprang to his feet, the hope in his eyes showing a vulnerability I’d never seen before, and likely never would again.

“I’m still pissed,” Sofia continued before spinning on her heel.

Like the whipped puppies we were, we followed her, shedding shirts and shoes, crawling into the bed in various states of undress, all of us aware that our goddess had granted a dispensation and absolutely unwilling to push her boundaries.

Somehow, we all squeezed into the queen bed. Nick against the wall, spooning me as I curled up with Sofia in my arms, and Dante on the outer edge of the bed, closest to the door, his leg thrown over Sofia’s, protecting us all from danger.

It should have felt odd with all four of us smashed into the bed, the only ones among us who had any sort of normal relationship, Nico and I. And even the two of us?—

“I’m still mad,” Sofia muttered as she wiggled until she was comfortable.

Dante leaned down to kiss Sofia’s temple. “You can sharpen your claws on me tomorrow, I promise.”

He met my eyes over her head, and to my surprise, mouthed, “Grazie.”

Wonders never ceased.

35

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