Page 19 of The Bonventi Hitman

"Enough. I don't discuss business with women, especially you."

I sip my wine to hide my nerves.

I need to create some space, so I excuse myself to the restroom. Inside, I take a deep breath.

My reflection shows my makeup still hiding the bruises.

Okay, I’m not getting anything else out of him tonight. Now I need to focus on contacting the FBI. I need to get out on my own. How, how do I do that?

Think, Anna, think.

Oh my god, the safe house business on Miracle Mile!

I smile at my reflection, fix my dress, and head back out. As I pass the bar, a familiar scent stops me cold. My pulse jumps before I can control it – the cologne I feel I'd now know anywhere. I turn to look at the man at the bar as he turns to me.

"Sofia?"

Oh shit. It’s Gabriel.

For a moment, I'm frozen, my body slowly burning with an unwanted rush of heat. Again, I find myself in the shadow of his towering presence. The top buttons of his shirt are undone, revealing hints of tattoos that draw my eye. I try to make them out in the dim light, then remind myself I shouldn't care.

"What are you doing here?" he asks, standing.

I shake my head and scoff. “You know, I have a question for you.”

He smiles, “Well, I asked you first.”

“Why did you do it?" I ask, ignoring him. “Why did you take me that night?"

His jaw tightens, and he steps closer, forcing me to tilt my head back to maintain eye contact. The scent of his cologne brings me back to our dance.

“You look breathtaking," he says.

“I need an answer.”

He hesitates for a moment.

“The truth?”

“When does a woman want anything else?”

"I have a sister," he says quietly, his voice rough. "She's the only blood family I have left. I swore I'd always protect her." His eyes darken, and it seems like he wants to reach out and grab me, but he restrains himself. "When I saw you there, in the middle of the chaos and blood, something just…” he says and lets out a sigh, “I just…you needed protection, and I acted on instinct."

His admission catches me off guard, but the hell I’m in with Luca pushes me forward.

"You don't know me," I say in a low tone, trying to contain my emotions.

"No," he agrees and takes my hand, bringing it to his lips. "But I'd like to," he says, pressing a gentle kiss to my skin.

"What's this from?" he asks, his thumb brushing over a small scar.

I'm shocked.

“Uh, no one's ever noticed that before. I was climbing a fence when I was little. Cut myself on the metal," I say and try to pull my hand away, but he holds firm, his thumb continuing to trace the scar.

"I notice everything about you, Bella."

I feel the air between us start to burn. He's still holding my hand, and I know I should leave, should return to Luca, but my feet won't move.