Page 106 of My Sweetest Obsession

“I know,” Gigi said quietly. “But killing him isn’t going to solve anything.”

“Why not? Just look what he did to you.” Her father glared at me, his chin jutted forward.

I clenched my jaw at his insinuation that I would hurt her.

“Because... I...” she began. I drew her closer, savoring the warmth of her body against mine, a sensation that ignited my every nerve ending. The soft rise and fall of her chest settled the restless beast in me.

“Because I love him,” she breathed, and my heart raced wildly in my chest. Hearing that gave me hope for our future.

Alphonse looked down at his daughter and sighed. He holstered his weapon and wrapped her in a loving hug, his affection for her evident on his face. “Of course you do,” he murmured and kissed her on the head.

My hands itched with the desperate urge to pull her into my arms to reclaim the connection we once shared.

“Listen, you should stay with us for a while,” her father suggested. “Your aunt Valarie has been asking for you.”

No, fuck that.

I tightened my grip on her, my fingers digging into her hips like the possessive asshole that I was.

She turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. “Nico, let go,” she hissed.

Ignoring her protest, I lowered my lips, brushed them against the delicate curve of her ear, and inhaled the fresh, floralscent of her shampoo. “You are not leaving me,” I said, keeping my gaze fixed on her father. “You can visit him, but you will sleep here. With me. In my bed.” I squeezed her hips for emphasis.

Gigi stepped out of my reach and walked over to her father. “How about we talk first?” she suggested. Tension rippled through me.

“Angel,” I warned.

She turned to face me, her gaze fierce. “Don’t.”

For the first time, I felt the weight of my resolve falter. I couldn’t fuck this up. With a curt nod, I conceded.

Gigi reached for her father’s hand, and they walked toward the piano room.

“That was fucking intense,” Luca said and whistled.

“Maybe her father is right, Nico,” my uncle said, his tone cautious but insistent.

I snapped my head in his direction, irritation flaring. “What?”

“I just think that with everything going on, her staying with her father would be the safest option right now. Then we can work on finding the Puppet Master without distractions.”

“She’s not a distraction,” I shot back, my voice sharper than intended.

“I have to agree with Uncle on this one,” Matteo said.

I glanced at my men, my anger simmering just beneath the surface. “I don’t give a flying fuck what any of you think. She’s mine. Mine to protect. Mine, period.”

There was no way in hell I was letting my angel slip away when her wings were barely functional.

But soon, the angel would take her rightful place by the devil’s side, and together, we would dominate the fiery depths of hell.

“This is one of my favorite rooms,” I said.

His gaze roamed the space, a smile spreading across his face as he took in the elegant grand piano that dominated the room and the violin resting in the corner.

We made our way further inside, settling onto the leather couch while Demon flopped down at my feet.

“Sweetheart, don’t want to pressure you about where you want to live. It’s just that I want to get to know you. I know you’re not ready to talk about moving to Italy with me, but Valarie would love to spend more time with you too.”