Page 146 of Restless Hawke

She grins. “Yeah, you did. But you played well, and you paid it all back.”

The humor fades instantly at the reminder. “Not all of it.”

Savage nods his agreement. “I appreciate your honesty and what you did for us today, Allegra, but Coen is right. Your father is still going to come for the debt he believes must be repaid, and now, he’s also going to come for you.”

For some reason, hearing Savage say the thing we already know somehow makes it ten times worse—likespeakingthose words will ensure they come true. As if they wouldn’t have if we had all pretended it wasn’t going to happen.

I wrap my arms around Allegra protectively, tugging her against my chest and kissing her softly, trying to stop the uncontrollable trembling that seems to have returned with Savage’s warning.

Her light jasmine scent swallows me as I lose myself in the kiss, in the feel of her in my arms.

It’s still hard to wrap my head around the fact that she’s here with me, that the bridge I thought had been burned between us has somehow found a way to mend itself.

And it’s all because she had the strength to take a stand against her father.

Confessing all of this must be beyond difficult, revealing her painful family history to people who despise one of the most important people in her life. But she’s done it with an open heart.

By the time she finally pulls away from the kiss, Savage, Gabe, Dad, and Luca are all looking anywhere but at us and the display of affection that may have slightly crossed the line between inappropriate and full-on mouth fucking.

Allegra leans into me but turns her head to face Savage. “He will come for me, but I want to make something clear—my father wouldneverhurt me. Not physically. No matter how angry he might be.” The truth resonates in her strong words, and I know she firmly believes what she’s saying, even if we can’t. “Now, will he lock me up in some ivory tower somewhere with a dozen guards to ensure I can’t leave and get into any other trouble, to ensure that he can control what I do with my life? That’s another story and well within the realm of what he might attempt.”

Gabe shakes his head. “We won’t let that happen.”

Dad nods his agreement. “Absolutely fucking not.”

Allegra looks at each of them, playing with the hem of my T-shirt to keep her nervous trembling at a minimum. “You can’t make me that promise.”

Savage nods. “Yes, we can. You’re helping us, which means we will protect you. But we need as much information about him and his plans as you can give us.”

Because everything has been an uphill battle where Satriano is concerned.

From the day “Damon” first appeared, the lives of the Hawkes have been like hamsters running on a wheel, trying to get one step ahead of him. And we have always failed.

Even the tiniest thing Allegra could offer might make all the difference.

I press a kiss against her temple. “Please, anything you can tell us. You never know what might be important, what might turn the tide.”

She trembles in my arms, and I tug her against my chest, giving her a minute to compose herself again. I lock eyes with Dad, Savage, Gabe, and finally Luca, holding his extra-long to get my point across.

They need to give her time.

If they push her too hard, I’ll end this right here and now.

No one pushes back.

They all understand what she’s going through, how she’s being torn in two, being asked tofurtherbetray her father—who she so clearly loves—for us.

She’s already proven that she’s a better person than her genes would suggest. Maybe that’s her mother’s influence from before Satriano got his hands on her. Or maybe that’s just Allegra.

A complicated woman who has kept me on my toes and will continue to for as long as I have her.

The wordforeverflashes through my head, but I quickly push it away.

This isn’t the time to think about crazy things like that.

Allegra pulls away from me, tears stain her cheeks, and I swipe them away and kiss her forehead.

She sniffles and then wipes her hand under her nose. “I know what he wants.”