Fragile Longing

“My secret won’t mean my death, yours on the other hand . . .” I shrugged. I doubted Dante would give Santino another chance, not where his daughter was concerned. He’d make an example out of him—a very painful, public example.

“And yet you don’t want it to get out, so we’re on the same level.”

Santino was taking a big risk by provoking me, but he had hit the nail on the head. Protecting Sofia made keeping this secret crucial. She was a good girl. Her reputation shouldn’t suffer because despair had made her seek me out like this.

“I’m going to take her back to the lodge now,” Santino said, reaching for her.

I got in his way, shoving his arm away. “You’ll stay away from her. Do you really think I’ll allow her to be alone with you ever again? I’ll take her to the lodge myself and stay the night. Once Samuel is sober, I’ll ask him to drive there and make sure his sister gets back to Minneapolis safely.”

Sofia’s eyes widened and she tensed.

“This might lead to questions.”

“My men know when to keep their mouths shut, don’t worry, and Samuel will think I’m only being protective as usual.”

Santino glanced at Sofia again before he turned around and left.

“Anna will be worried sick about me,” Sofia whispered.

“She should have thought of that before she brought you here.”

“It’s not her fault. She just wanted to help me.”

I gritted my teeth. I didn’t want to let my anger out on Sofia, even if she was at fault. She’d gone through enough, thanks to me.

“Come on, now. Let’s get you into bed.” She stiffened even more, and I cringed at my own choice of words, but continued as if I hadn’t noticed her reaction. I handed her the cat mask. “Can you put this on? I don’t want someone to recognize you downstairs.”

She slipped the mask on, then peered up at me with her blue eyes.

I nodded, wondering how I could have been too blind to recognize those eyes. But I’d had a couple of drinks and had been starting to feel drunk when Catwoman approached me. I hadn’t paid attention to more than her curves and her blonde hair.

I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that Sofia had mesmerized me with her body like that.

I led her out of the back entrance and to my car parked down the driveway. I never parked close to the party. Drunk people had a penchant for pissing against your tires or scratching your car by accident.

I knew I shouldn’t be driving, even if the recent events and the ensuing adrenaline had sobered me up and I didn’t feel drunk anymore, but I’d read up enough on intoxication to know that my judgment was impaired. Yet, I couldn’t risk calling my men to pick me up. Calling a taxi, which meant a public appearance, was out of the question, too. Even with a mask, I didn’t want people to see me and Sofia together.

I helped her into the passenger seat of my Jaguar, then slipped behind the steering wheel. I had been to the Mione lodge once before, a long time ago, so I didn’t remember the way. After Carlo sent me directions, I set out while the party was still in full swing.

The drive took longer than usual because I didn’t drive as quickly as I normally would have. Sofia fell asleep with her forehead pressed up to the passenger window. The alcohol she’d consumed must have knocked her out, or maybe the shock of the night’s events had exhausted her.

Soon, I was driving up the narrow driveway and parking. The lights were on. Of course, Carlo would be waiting for me. I got out and took a deep breath to clear my head. A few times I’d thought I’d fall asleep during the drive, and I was glad I’d brought Sofia here safely.

I hovered in front of the passenger door. Sofia’s forehead was still pressed up against the glass, her face peaceful. I was glad she was asleep so I didn’t have to look into her sad, broken eyes, but carrying her seemed like a bad idea given what had happened. Shoving my qualms aside, I slowly opened the door. Sofia sagged forward but still didn’t wake. I picked her up, glad when her soft breathing fanned over my throat, and pressed her against my chest. She didn’t wake as I carried her into the house. Carlo awaited me in the foyer, his eyes going wide when he saw Sofia.

“Boss, I—”

“Shut the fuck up. We’ll talk later,” I growled.

I headed up the wooden staircase and carried Sofia into her bedroom, which Carlo had described to me. I lay her down on the bed. I didn’t tuck her in, and only removed her shoes. It felt too personal to undress her, as if I were invading her space without permission, even if I’d already done worse before. I only lifted her mask so the elastic strap wouldn’t cut into her skin. She’d kept it on during the drive. Sofia looked peaceful in sleep, not to mention absolutely stunning. I’d never taken the time to really look at her face. It had seemed inappropriate before our wedding, especially considering our age difference. I straightened and moved to the door.