Page 81 of The Bonventi Hitman

"Well, I've got to get back to it. If you need anything, just let me know," she says and leaves.

After I finish my sandwich, I decide it's best to go upstairs and nap. Anything to keep myself from thinking. And after eating, I feel tired. The last 24 hours have been full of nerves and draining thoughts.

My head hits the pillow, and I inhale deeply. Gabriel's scent fills me, and before I know it, I'm fast asleep.

The next thing I hear is my name. "Sofia…Sofia…Sofia."

I'm shaken awake and inhale deeply to see Gabriel sitting on the bed beside me.

"What the heck?" I say, startled.

I rub my eyes and sit up. "Jesus."

"Are you alright? I'm sorry to scare you."

I look around the room, remembering where I am.

"No, no, sorry. I got startled."

Gabriel nods. "I need to speak with you."

He sounds serious.

"What time is it?" I ask because I notice it's dark outside, and it wasn't when I laid down.

He looks at his watch. "8:43 p.m."

I shake my head. "Okay, I am up. Is everything alright?"

"No," he says in a curt tone.

My adrenaline kicks into high gear, and I suddenly feel so awake it's as if I had four espresso shots.

"What?" I ask.

The gun. Did he find the gun? Oh God!

He looks me straight in the face. "Luca's dead."

"What? What are you talking about?"

Gabriel hesitates for a moment, his eyes never leaving mine. "I killed him."

My mind starts racing. Did I hear him correctly? Is this why he came to get me from the hotel so abruptly?

"You... you killed Luca?" I stammer, trying to process this information.

Gabriel nods slowly. "Yes. It had to be done. For us."

I feel the blood drain from my face as the implications of his words sink in. My heart pounds in my chest, and I struggle to form a coherent thought.

"Gabriel, I, I don't understand," I manage to say.

He leans in closer, his voice low and intense. "I couldn't bear the thought of him touching you anymore. You're mine now, Sofia. Only mine." His hand cups my face, his touch both gentle and possessive. "There was no other way. I'd kill a thousand men to keep you."

A confusing mix of fear and shock at the lengths he’ll go to keep us together consumes me.

His proximity, the heat radiating from his body, the dangerous look in his eyes - it's all overwhelming.