Page 104 of A Bossy Proposal

“So, what do you want? Apart from your rightful inheritance.”

“I don’t know what happened to them in those last moments.” The tears spill over now, hot and stinging as they trail down my cheeks. “I wasn’t there. I wish I had been... maybe then things would’ve been different.”

“Amelia,” Gabe says gently, stepping closer to me. “You need answers.”

“Yes!” I nod through my tears. “I need to know how he killed them and if they even got a chance to fight back or say something to him before it happened.”

My heart races as a wave of grief washes over me.

Luca remains silent for a moment. He’s contemplating what I’ve revealed before he speaks again. “You could do it,” he suggests, almost casually. “You might find it cathartic.”

My heart skips a beat at the thought.Kill Giovanni?

The idea sends a shiver down my spine—not fear, but something else entirely—power?

Would taking revenge against him give me peace?

“No,” West growls. Only then do I see him waiting at the elevator, having just gotten home from work. “You’ll never forget it, Amelia. These men kill for a living. It’s different for them. You’ll hate yourself. You’ll not be able to live with yourself. Give them your wishes and step back.”

“Okay,” I whisper, before I turn to Luca and Gabe. “I’ll let you handle it. Just...find out everything. I need to know what he did to them, and I need him to suffer far worse.”

Luca nods, a glint of approval in his eyes.

Gabe steps closer, placing a hand on my shoulder. “We’ll make sure you get all the information you need. As soon as the job is done, we’ll let you know.” His grip is firm, reassuring.

“Just tell me you won’t take any unnecessary risks,” I plead, the weight of my decision pressing down on me. “I can’t lose anyone else.”

“Trust me,” Luca says with an intensity that sends a shiver through me. “We’re professionals. This is what we do.”

I look between them and say, “Giovanni already killed Cillian O’Reilly.”

“I know he tried to pin it on me.” Luca smirks, his confidence contagious. “At least now we know why Cillian kidnapped his son. But that son of a bitch, Cillian, is in the best place.”

He doesn’t seem in the least bit worried.

“And if you need me to help?” I ask hesitantly.

“No,” Gabe interrupts sharply. “You stay safe and out of this mess. Don’t be leaving this apartment until we tell you it’s safe to do so.”

“I understand,” I murmur, accepting their boundaries.

“You don’t.” Luca’s gaze softens as he studies me for a moment longer before speaking again. “Papa will kill me if anything happens to you. He wants to meet you soon.”

Warmth bubbles in my chest as he speaks, knowing I’ll have the love of my found family.

“Let us handle this,” Gabe adds before heading toward the door with Luca following close behind him.

“Wait!” I call out as they reach for the elevator panel.

They turn back in unison.

“I appreciate this—more than you know.” My heart pounds as gratitude surges through me. “For my parents.”

The doors to the elevator open and, with a final nod from both men, they exit the penthouse.

I stand for a moment, and only when West wraps his arms around me do I collapse in his arms and sob.

Chapter 29

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