Page 73 of The Bonventi Hitman

He kicks the door shut behind him and walks over to me.

“Please pack your things," he say as he stands over me. His eyes flicker to the bedroom and then back to me. "I'll wait."

I sit up slowly, trying to regain some semblance of control over my mind as I wake up and fully process what’s happening.

"Pack my things?" I ask. "Am I not coming back here?"

He shakes his head. "No."

"I, um, okay," I say, rubbing my face.

Gabriel turns and heads to the bar to sit. I use this time to slide the gun out from under the cushion and slip it behind my back.

I stand and walk to the bedroom, keeping my back turned away from him. I’m sure it looks awkward, but it beats him seeing it.

I enter the room, grab my purse, and, looking back to make sure he’s out of sight, shove the gun inside and bury it under my makeup and wallet.

Gabriel clears his throat, and I turn to see him standing in the doorway.

"Two things, Bella," he says, staring at me with his darkened eyes. "One, you're done with Luca. You’re going to be staying with me now, and that includes coming to my home for full-time protection. And two, anything and everything that Luca gave you stays here."

I’m stunned.

Hundreds of questions run through my mind. Where is Luca? How did this happen? What did Gabriel do? Why is this happening now?

"Well, that would just be my purse. I mean, honestly, it's all from him. Even these clothes," I say, motioning up and down to my outfit.

A burst of air shoots out of his nostrils. "Stay here," he says and leaves.

"Wait," I say, following him out of the room. "When will you be?—"

The door shuts, and he’s gone.

Shit.

I walk slowly back into the bathroom, splash some cold water on my face, brush my teeth, and tie my hair back, leaving a few loose strands down the sides of my face. Just as I finish, I hear the door open again, and Gabriel enters the room with a bag.

"You can wear these," he says, placing the bag on the bed right next to my purse.

"What is this?" I ask, walking over to inspect the bag.

"Clothes from the shop downstairs," he says.

I open the bag and see the same yoga pants and a white shirt I’m wearing. I pull out the pants and hold them up.

"These are the same ones I have on," I say.

"No, they're not. I bought those," he says and walks over to me, slides his fingers into the side of my waistband, and pulls my pants down. "He bought these."

Gabriel's command stirs a heat deep within me. Without breaking eye contact with him, I slip out of the yoga pants.

Gabriel watches me closely as I step into the new pair, and I can feel his gaze on my body like a physical touch.

"The shirt, too," he says.

"Okay, are you just trying to get a view?" I ask, trying to lighten the mood.

He smiles, and I can see him relax a bit. "With you, always."