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“I’m so sorry, sunshine,” I whisper as I tuck a few pieces of her matted hair behind her ear.
Blue eyes sparkle up at me, andfuck, I don’t deserve the look of gratitude in her eyes. I’m the reason she’s roughed up in the first place.
“I knew you’d come for us.”
“Always,” I vow, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Now, let’s get the fuck out of here.”
I scoop Cambria up, thanking every god I can think of that she’s in my arms. She curls up against my chest, and I tuck her head into my shoulder, not wanting her to see any more blood or violence. Never again.
Looking back at my father, he gives me a nod of approval as Rocco helps him up and half-drags him out of the building behind us.
We make it outside, and I run to one of the Moscatelli’s vehicles, opening the back door and gently placing Cambria inside. Rocco is close behind me, and he helps my dad into the passenger’s seat before hopping into the driver’s seat.
I join my woman in the back, pulling her onto my lap and cradling her against me as we wind our way through Chicago.
By the time we pull up to my father’s house, Cambria is shaking and nearly hyperventilating. “I’ve got you, sunshine,” I whisper, stroking her cheek. “You’re safe now.”
She nods, her eyes fluttering closed as she relaxes against me. I can feel the adrenaline leaving her body, and each breath feels like it’s draining her of energy.
“I love you, Cambria,” I murmur, brushing my lips against hers. “And I’m going to prove it to you somehow.”
“You already did,” she surprises me by answering. “Now get me inside so I can tell you the same thing without an audience.”
My father snorts from the front seat.
Rocco chuckles. “Looks like my job here is done.”
I thank him, and we plan to visit before I fly back to New York. Right now, I have more important things on my mind. Like getting my dad tucked into bed, then pampering my woman, and taking care of her every need.
CHAPTERTEN
CAMBRIA
“She’s resting now, but we’ll visit soon. Yes, she’s had breakfast. Yes, Dad, I made sure she has plenty of her favorite sleepy-time tea for later. There’s no need for you to come over again. You need rest too, old man!”
I can’t help the giggle that falls from my lips as I listen to Dante talk to his dad over the phone. They’ve been suffocating me with attention last night and this morning, ensuring I have water, food, tea, blankets, pillows, and everything else under the sun. I’m not sure who has bossed whom around the most since we got home yesterday, Dante or Raul.
I reminded them that, technically, I was the only person with medical training, but that argument didn’t hold any weight. Both men told me to rest and refused to let me help clean up the living room from the intruders or cook dinner. The two of them have been tripping all over themselves to wait on me hand and foot, and it may be the most loved and cherished I’ve ever felt.
Dante spins around, his brown eyes meeting mine. A warm sparkle shines from the depths of his soul, and it makes me blush. We still have some things to discuss, like who exactly the Colombos, Moscatellis, and Di Salvos are, but I’m just content to be near my Dante and to have him look at me like this.
“Gotta go, Dad. The patient is up.”
I roll my eyes at Dante as he hangs up the phone and strides over to where I’m lying on my little couch. I sit up and pat the spot next to me, smiling when he curls his large frame to fit in the seat.
“How are you feeling after your nap, sunshine?” he asks softly as he cups my chin. “Can I get you anything?” Dante gently turns my head to the left, inspecting a wound on my cheek, then turns it to the right, frowning at a cut on my temple.
“I’m a lot better today,” I promise, looping my fingers around his wrist and pulling his hand away from my face. I kiss his fingertips, then nibble on one, making him growl.
“Careful,” he warns, those brown eyes flashing dark with lust.
“I don’t want to be careful,” I say with a pout, scooting closer to Dante. “I just want you,” I tell him honestly.
“Cambria, baby, I want you too. Always. But if I hurt you…”
“You won’t. You’re not capable of it.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” he murmurs, looking away from me. “I’m capable of a lot of horrible things. And I already hurt you by dragging you into my mess. God, Cambria, I’m so fucking sorry. Look what they did to you. Jesus, I’m a monster.”
