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CHAPTER TWENTY

W hen the knock on my office door came, I turned from staring out the window—something I’d done far too much in the past couple of hours—but at least the weather matched my mood. Dark and foggy.

I put down Picca, who somehow found her way into my office and whose presence was the only one I could bear. The knock was the signal that my time of hiding was coming to an end. Way too soon. “Come in.”

The door swung open, and before Hawk even opened his mouth, I knew it was time.

Time for them to leave.

Time for me to send her away.

I sighed and nodded, and he did the same before turning around and leaving me again.

I dragged my fingers through my hair. Why was this so difficult? Why was my throat tightening at the sheer thought of letting her go ?

Because I didn’t want to.

Because it felt like I was failing her when all I wanted to do was protect her.

I straightened and walked out of my office. My sisters, my brothers, and Hawk’s guys were gathered in the foyer.

I turned and took the staircase in the back instead.

The door to our room was open, and I leaned against the doorframe, my heart heavy as I watched Jemma pack.

Her movements were slow, almost reluctant, and each item she placed in her backpack felt like another piece of me being torn away.

Jemma paused, held one of my shirts in her hands, pulled it toward her face, and inhaled deeply as if she wanted to remember my scent.

I cleared my throat.

She turned to me, the sadness in her eyes mirroring my own. She raised the shirt and cocked her head.

And without a word, I knew what she was asking. I nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. “Take whatever you want, Punk. It’s all yours anyway.”

A small smile flickered across her face as she carefully folded the shirt and tucked it into her bag. The gesture was so tender, so intimate, it made my chest implode.

I crossed the room and took her in my arms. With every fiber of my being, I wanted to tell her she wasn’t going anywhere—but I couldn’t. Her safety had to come first, no matter how much it hurt to let her go.

She slung her arms around my waist and buried her face against my chest. The air in the room was thick with unspoken words and emotions. I could feel the weight of everything we weren’t saying pressing down on us.

But now was not the time to stay silent. What could I say that would make this any easier?

She lifted her head and her eyes met mine, and something in her expression—the softness in them—was it hope—made my heart beat dully in my chest. “It’s okay, it’s only for a short while, right?” she said, her voice muted and a little shaky.

I nodded. The way she looked up at me was so soft and gut-wrenching at the same time.

I clenched my jaw, fighting against the urge to stop her, to tell her we’d find another way, to keep her right where I could see her, touch her, and smell her. But it was the right decision, no matter how much it hurt. I had to keep her safe, and that meant sending her away. I nodded and smiled. “Yes, it’s only for a very short while.”

We stared at each other. “I don’t want to go, though,” she whispered, then buried her face again.

And I felt like I was trapped beneath a boulder, slowly squeezing the life out of me.

I pulled her deeper in my arms, buried my face in her hair, and held her as tightly as I could. “It’s not safe here.”

She nodded, clinging to me until a knock at the door broke the spell.

I cast a glance over my shoulder at Birdie, who was standing by the open door, staring at her feet.

Jemma pulled back, wiped at her tears, then straightened .

I grabbed her backpack and took her hand in mine, and together, we walked out of the room we’d shared for far too little time.

I held her hand tightly as we descended the stairs, each step feeling like a countdown to our separation.

My sisters and brothers were all gathered and watched our descent, their faces a mix of concern and sympathy.

Mira and Bella had been equally unhappy to leave, but they didn’t put up much of a fight.

Thank God. Because fighting myself was exhausting enough.

And there was no denying they were all in danger right now. Because they were close to me. The weight of responsibility pressed down on my shoulders, but it was nothing compared to the ache in my chest at the thought of letting her go, of sending all of them away.

As we reached the foyer, I let go of Jemma’s hand and joined Hawk, who stood by the door, his expression grim but understanding.

Jemma joined my sisters near the door, her shoulders tense but her chin held high.

Pride swelled in my chest at her strength, even as my heart ached.

“We’ll take good care of them,” Hawk said and squeezed my shoulder.

I nodded. “If you don’t, I’ll kill you myself.” And I wasn’t even joking. If anything happened to my sisters or Jemma, I couldn’t take it. And I would unleash a world of hurt.

Hawk chuckled. “You Mafia guys are all the same. Masking emotion with growls and threats. ”

I glared at Hawk. “I’m not masking anything. Letting them go is fucking breaking me, and if anything happens to them, I will break this world.”

Hawk nodded once.

I turned around and walked to Mira and Bella. I pulled them both into a tight embrace. “Stay safe,” I murmured, kissing the tops of their heads. “Be smart. And look out for each other.”

Mira sniffled against my chest. “We will. You be careful, too, okay?”

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Always am.”

Bella pulled back, her eyes fierce despite the tears threatening to spill. “We’ll take real good care of Jemma, I promise.”

“I know you will,” I said, squeezing her shoulder. “That’s why I trust you both with her.”

I looked at each of them in turn, memorizing their faces. My baby sisters, all grown up and facing danger because of me. The guilt gnawed at my insides, but I pushed it down. Now wasn’t the time for self-pity.

“I love you both,” I said, my voice gruff with emotion. “Remember everything I taught you. Trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate.”

They nodded and hugged me once more before stepping back.

I watched as they gathered their bags, same as Jemma. The three of them together—my sisters and my wife—was a sight that both warmed and chilled my blood.

I caught Dante’s eye. He gave me a subtle nod, silently promising to keep them safe .

I returned the gesture, grateful for his presence, as well as Donnelly’s.

With a final look at my sisters, I steeled myself for the hardest goodbye of all.

I turned to Jemma, drank in every detail of her face. Her green eyes were bright with unshed tears, and I fought the urge to wipe them away, knowing if I touched her now, I might not be able to let go.

Instead, I grabbed her zipper and closed it all the way. “You better not do anything stupid, Punk,” I said softly, my voice rougher than I intended. “You’re stronger than you think, and remember, you’re a Salvini now. Gotta represent.” I winked at her in an attempt to lighten the mood a little—not that it worked.

She raised an eyebrow, but her grip on her backpack tightened.

We walked to the door together, our steps slow and measured. I could feel the eyes of everyone on us, but I didn’t care. At that moment, it was just Jemma and me.

At the threshold, I stopped and turned to face her. I cupped her face in my hands, memorizing the feel of her skin under my fingertips.

“I’ll come for you as soon as it’s safe,” I promised, my voice low and fierce.

She leaned into my touch, her eyes never leaving mine. “I’ll be waiting.”

I pulled her to me one last time, crushing her against my chest. I breathed in her scent, trying to imprint it on my memory before I pushed her into her father’s arms .

With one last look over her shoulder, she walked to the three black SUVs and followed my sisters into the one in the middle.

I stood rooted to the spot, my eyes fixed on the vehicles as they pulled away from the house. The tinted windows concealed the precious cargo inside—my sisters, my wife, my heart.

The vehicles moved down the long driveway, then disappeared into the woods. We’d decided to keep a low profile for the short drive to the private airstrip, where Hawk’s jet was already waiting. Nobody knew they were leaving, so we didn’t expect any complications. And even if, Hawk’s guys were the top of the crop.

And yet.

My chest tightened as I watched the most important people in my life disappear.

The silence that followed was deafening—no more laughter from Bella, no more of Jemma’s sarcastic quips.

Just…emptiness.

I remained motionless, staring at the spot where the cars had vanished as if, by sheer will, I could bring them back.

But I knew better.

This was necessary.

This was to keep them safe even if it felt like I was being ripped apart from the inside out.

Even if it felt my life was being ripped apart, piece by piece.

She’d buried herself so deep into my heart, into my life—and now she was gone .

I clenched my fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms. The pain was a welcome distraction from the ache in my chest. I took a deep breath, trying to center myself.

“Are you okay?” Hero, who’d been standing next to me, asked.

I turned to him. His face looked concerned.

“Of course,” I lied, my voice flat. Every cell of me ached for her, missed her already, but I wouldn’t let it show. Falling apart wouldn’t help, not when I wanted her back as soon as possible.

There was work to be done. Enemies to face. My family to protect.

I steeled myself for the fight ahead and pushed down the emotions. I couldn’t afford weakness now. Not when so much was at stake.