Sophia glanced at Sebastian and Zane, who were talking among themselves, but as their attention drew back to her, she looked the other way, pretending she hadn’t been scanning them for any injuries.
I raised my eyebrows, and a guilty grimace pulled at her lips, the blush heating her cheeks was obvious even in the dim streetlight. Her eyes narrowed to slits, but I just smiled. I wouldn’t get in the middle of their business, but it was obvious to everyone at this point that there was some sort of attraction lingering there.
But it was none of my concern.
“Thank you for everything,” Liam said, his voice drawing all our attention to him. “I still can’t even believe it’s over, that we won’t have the Barones knocking on our door every week, taking more and more from our tills.”
Mr. Richardson nodded. “They would’ve broken my legs if it weren’t for the two of you.” He gestured at Spade and me. “I have no idea what else they would’ve done if you hadn’t gotten the town to safety when you did.”
“I’m just glad it’s over.” I smiled, brushing off their praise before my cheeks heated.
Francine lifted a brow, giving me a knowing grin. Of course, she knew exactly what I was trying to do. This lady knew absolutely everything.
“And Lorenzo?” Francine asked, some of her amusement fading.
“He’s cleaning things up on his end,” I said. “He said he’ll be in contact with us before the end of the week. And since there are still a few more days left on the reservations, it’s probably best for everyone to stay put until he gives us the all clear. We don’twant anyone still loyal to Angelo to take vengeance into their own hands before Lorenzo can take care of them.”
“What does ‘take care of them’mean?” Charlie asked, glancing up at his grandmother. “Are they sick?”
Francine’s face blanched, and she pressed her hands to his ears as we all laughed. The levity helped to break some of the tension that had radiated through the group at the reminder that not all of Angelo’s men had been caught tonight, and we were entrusting the rest to Lorenzo.
“I’ll let the other business owners know to spread the word at the other motels,” Francine said before patting her grandson’s head. “And you should get to bed.”
“Do I have to? I wanted to show the old man more of my cars,” he pleaded, but Francine wouldn’t be swayed.
Merrick grumbled something under his breath, but he knelt before Charlie and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I promise I’ll be back tomorrow, and I’ll bring a real vintage car for you to see.”
Charlie beamed and wrapped him in a tight hug before rushing over to Francine. “Okay, I’m ready for bed.”
We all laughed as she waved goodbye and led Charlie back to their room. The group broke apart as everyone returned to their friends, ready to spread the good news.
“We’ll pack up our stuff and be out of your hair tomorrow,” Zane said, glancing at Sophia like he thought she might argue. She just crossed her arms over her chest, her attention glued to her feet.
“I know you’ll miss our delightful presence, but I have to get the club back up and running now that the threat is over.” Sebastian clapped Kellan on the shoulder, and he reluctantly let go of me.
“We’re just going to discuss a few things with them, if you’re okay here?” Kellan glanced at the other guys whose indecisionwarred in their gazes. I could tell that they didn’t want to leave me, but they had something to deliberate that couldn’t wait.
“I’m fine.” I twined my arm through Sophia’s, who gave them a smug smile. “It’ll give Sophia and me a moment to catch up.”
Spade gave my hand one last squeeze, and a kiss on the cheek before he let go. “We’ll be right over there in case you need anything.”
Merrick and Kellan both kissed my cheek before joining the club’s owner and the head of his security.
“What was all that?” Sophia whispered.
I leaned my head on her shoulder and sucked in a deep breath before giving her the breakdown of everything that had happened tonight. “I know it took a lot for them not to follow me after what happened at the penthouse. And then with the chopper, they thought the worst. So I don’t blame them for being cautious. I don’t know how I’d be acting if one of them was the one offering themselves up as bait after I almost lost them in a fire.”
I shuddered at the thought. I was getting better, but I still had some demons to work through, and now that Angelo was gone, I hopefully wouldn’t be encountering any more buildings burning down anytime soon.
Sophia wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and we stood like that for a moment before she broke the silence, her voice small and hesitant. “I guess I can go back to New York now.”
I stood up straight, needing to read her expression. She chewed at her bottom lip and refused to meet my eyes. “You know you don’t have to leave now, right? I’d love it if you stayed with us for as long as you want. Just because it’s safe for you to go doesn’t mean that you have to.”
Her shoulders slumped slightly, and she gave me a grateful smile. “Thank you. I just don’t want to be by myself right now. And New York…”
I clasped her arm as she trailed off. “You can take as much time as you need. There’s no rule that says you have to just jump back to your normal life right away. We should find out from Lorenzo if he has any contacts for therapists who understand—”
“Fighting off the mafia?” Her lips trembled like she was holding in her laugh.
