Page 8 of The Bonventi Hitman

He turns and looks at me and I see the lights of the city reflecting in his eyes, "I'm taking you to The Capstone."

Instinctively, I touch my left earring twice, a signal for the man who's supposed to protect me to come. My chest tightens again when I realize he never will.

GABRIEL - 4

As we head toward the Capstone, Sofia's perfume fills the car. It's a mixture of flowers and sweetness that is a stark contrast from what just occurred.

As I continue driving, I can't help but sneak glances at her. Her long dark hair cascading down her back, brushing against her bare skin. Her revealing dress forces my eyes to take in her large breasts and slightly erect nipples pressing against the thin fabric.

I see goosebumps rise on her legs. I press the passenger's seat heater button instinctively.

She asked a few questions since leaving, but has since fallen silent. I can tell she's thinking. Maybe about the dead men, the gunfight, all or none of it - who knows.

Why the fuck am I even taking her with me?

The thought hits me like a punch to the gut. I'm not some goddamn white knight. I don't save damsels in distress. I end lives, not preserve them.

But something about her...

Those full lips, the curve of her neck. Christ.

My cock twitches, and I shift in my seat, trying to focus on the road. But my mind keeps circling back to her. To the way she moved at the party to the fire in her eyes when she looked at me.

She's not like the other women at these things. There's an edge to her, a sharpness that cuts through the arm candy personality.

I should've left her there. Let her fend for herself in the chaos. It's what any sane man in my position would've done.

But I couldn't. The moment I saw her, crouched on the floor, eyes wide with terror, something primal inside me roared to life. A need to protect, to possess.

It's fucking insane. I've known this woman for all of an hour, and already she's got me breaking protocol, risking everything.

"You okay?" The words slip out before I can stop them.

She turns to me, those gorgeous eyes narrowing. "Am I okay?" Her voice drips with sarcasm. "I just watched my—" She catches herself. "Conner die. I was nearly killed. And now I'm being kidnapped by a psychopath. So no, I'm not fucking okay."

I can't help but smirk.

"I'm not kidnapping you. I'm saving you."

She scoffs. "Right. My hero."

The sarcasm in her tone should piss me off, but instead, it just turns me on more.

"You're welcome," I say, earning a glare that could melt steel.

We fall back into silence, but the air between us is different now.

I should be focused on damage control. The Russians made their move, and it's going to be all-out war now. Enzo will want blood, and as his top enforcer, I'll be the one spilling it.

Instead, all I can think about is the woman beside me. The way her chest rises and falls with each breath. The scent of her perfume filling the car.

After a few moments of silence, she turns to me.

"What exactly happened back there?"

"I don't know," I shrug, keeping my tone nonchalant.

Of course, I do know.