Page 74 of The Bonventi Hitman

I take the shirt out and change into it, and when I’m finished, he nods and motions for me to follow him.

"What about Luca?" I ask, my voice steady despite my nerves.

"Nothing else here?" he asks, ignoring my question.

I grab my purse and shake my head. "No, I don’t think so."

"I will replace anything you need if you forget something. Just check for anything sentimental."

Hmm, that's nice of him to think that way.

"Just you," I say, smiling.

We make our way out of the hotel room, and I look back one final time to take it all in. I don’t know why, but I do.

As we walk down the hallway, Gabriel's hand rests on the small of my back, guiding me forward. I can feel the weight of the gun in my purse as if it’s an anchor I’m dragging with me, despite its efforts to pull me back.

We enter the elevator, and as we descend, I ask again. "What about Luca?"

He spins around quickly and comes in close next to me, his frame towering over me.

"From this moment forward, you are never to ask about or mention his name ever again. Your only concern will be the new life we’ll have moving forward," he says, brushing the strands of hair out of my face. "You're mine, Sofia. I'll protect and provide for you from now on."

His intensity startles me, and I nod, unable to form words. The elevator dings, and the doors open. Gabriel takes my hand, leading me through the lobby and out to his car. He opens the door for me, gently guides me into my seat, and shuts the door.

His scent in his car overtakes me and flusters me at the same time. My mouth becomes dry, and as he slides into the driver’s seat, I lick my lips to moisten my mouth.

The car starts with a rumble.

"I'm taking you home, Bella."

GABRIEL -28

Ican't find any words after hearing what Lydia just said.

Enzo can't be here. Not now. Not with Luca's corpse still warm.

"Fuck, come on," I mutter under my breath.

The door opens before I can respond, and Lydia's eyes go wide at the sight of Luca's body.

"I didn't say to enter, dammit," I snap.

Lydia gasps, one hand covering her mouth. "I—oh god. I'm so sorry, sir. I thought I heard you say come in."

I stare at her, and to my surprise, she quickly composes herself, enters, and shuts the door.

"Sir, I've worked for you for quite some time now. I'm not stupid. I know what you do," she straightens up. "But you're good to me. Paid for my kid's college education and give me a salary way more than I know anyone should. I've cleaned my fair share of blood in this house."

I continue staring at her, reassessing everything I thought I knew about my housekeeper. "Where's Enzo?"

"Front room. I told him I just got in and had to find you."

"Would he leave if?—"

"No," she cuts me off. "He said he'd wait as long as needed since it was his fault dropping by so early and unannounced."

Fuck.