Page 74 of My Sweetest Obsession

Each day, he seemed to regain more strength. He was even walking now, moving with confidence and getting ready to go into battle.

“No, I don’t,” I replied.

“Nico. Think rationally,” Matteo interjected, his brows furrowing. “She won’t be happy about it when she wakes up.”

“Why not?” I faced them again, refusing to back down.

“Oh, I don’t know!” Dante threw his hands up in the air. “You don’t have her consent. Did you forget she was raped?!”

“Dad,” Liam admonished.

I pushed off the door and closed the distance to Dante, standing toe to toe with him, ready to drop this fucker on the ground. “You think I’ve forgotten that? Hm?” I locked eyes with him.

“That’s all I fucking see when I close my eyes. Whenever I look at her or touch her,” I growled. “The tracker is to keep her safe so thisneverhappens again.”

“Protect her? Or control her?” Dante countered.

I slammed my hands against the wall, the sound reverberating through the hallway. “I’m not asking for permission! I’m telling you what I want done!”

Turning back to Gigi, a heaviness settled in my chest with each passing moment she remained asleep. It felt as though I was slowly dying every day that went by without her waking up, each one more suffocating than the last.

“What would you do if it was Gigi’s mother?” I locked eyes with Alphonse, then shifted my gaze to Dante. “Or your son?

My question was met with silence.

“This isn’t about control,” I continued, looking at each of the guys. “It’s about protecting the woman I love.”

“That’s a strong proclamation of love, Nico. Are you sure you’re up to giving my daughter the world?”

“Yes.”

Alphonse’s posture changed, his shoulders tensing as he seemed to absorb my words.

“I agree with Nico,” Liam said. All heads snapped in his direction.

He was the last person I thought would take my side in this. Maybe that little shit wasn’t so bad.

“What?” Dante and Malik parroted.

Liam offered a faint, sad smile. “Gigi’s been through hell. Since her uncle is still out there, she’s always going to be a target. Who the hell knows what else he has planned.”

Malik exhaled sharply. “I don’t know. She’s like a daughter to me,” he admitted, shaking his head slowly. His gaze shifted to mine, and I could see the conflict churning in his eyes. “But Liam has a point. We can’t afford to take any risks. Fuck. I hate to say it, but I’m with you on this crazy idea.”

A smirk tugged at my lips even though I didn’t need their approval.

“Fair enough,” Alphonse replied, rising from the chair and closing his suit jacket. “Now, I would like a moment with my daughter before the doctor arrives.”

I stepped aside as he walked into the room.

“You know she’s going to kick you in the dick when she finds out what you did.” Liam chuckled.

The beast inside me stirred, a dark amusement bubbling within. I’d take whatever she gave me as long as it meant she’d keep me in her life.

Istirred slowly, the soft beeping of machines and the faint scent of antiseptic pulling me from the darkness.

My eyelids fluttered, and as they cracked open, the harsh light of the hospital room made me squint. A figure sat next to me, his head of tousled hair resting on his folded arms.

“Nico?” I said, my voice hoarse and dry.