Page 189 of When We Fall: Part One

Her green eyes were wide with fear.

I went to her and cradled her face, my heart in my throat. “I’m going to go help. OK?”

“Ani—”

“I’ll be back. We’ll finish decorating these cupcakes then. I promise.”

“I’m scared.”

“Don’t be. I have to help. Dominic is my family. He needs me.”

She nodded, visibly swallowing. “Do you need weapons?”

“Couldn’t hurt,” I said.

“Follow me.” She pulled away, and I followed her to the basement. She entered a code into the door. It swung open to display so many fucking guns and weapons I stared stupidly at it.

“Ethan gave me the code,” she said, entering the room. “The guys would flip if they knew he told me, but I guess the cat is out of the bag now.”

I moved past her, taking in everything. The shit they had. It had to be the Vander Veer deal I knew they were doing. They had shit I’d never even seen before.

“Take whatever you need and come back to me,” she said thickly.

“Oh, LeeLee,” I murmured. “I will. I promise.”

I swept through the room and took what I needed before hugging her and kissing the top of her head.

“I’ll be right back,” I said, pulling away from her.

She said nothing, staring at me as I left through the door. I knew if I turned around, I’d be a goner and unable to leave her.

I spotted a blacked-outsports car zooming along a highway, and it didn’t take me two guesses to know who it was.

Dominic De Santis on his way to kick ass.

I followed a small distance behind him, not wanting him to freak out and think he was being tailed when he was already stressed the hell out.

I knew I needed to act, though. I dialed my father. It was important that he knew the situation in case Trent and I didn’t walk out.

“Alessandro,” his deep voice greeted me.

“Father. We have some trouble.” I launched into telling him everything. He was quiet for a moment before he called out to Alessio.

“Get Drake. Alessandro. Where are you?”

I rattled off the address.

“I’ll send Drake. He has a job he needs to do for me, and this works out perfectly."

“I don’t want trouble,” I started. “Father, please?—”

“There will be no trouble, at least for you. For our enemies, yes. Stay safe, my son. Keep your brother safe. I don’t want to lose you.” His words came out softly.

“You won’t,” I promised. “Just please don’t?—”

“Head in the game, Alessandro,” he said sternly. “Focus. I will always do right by you.”

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me.