Page 100 of Creed

Gabriele drums his fingers on the table. “Were there any people close to you when that happened, Sophie?”

I furrow my brow, trying to remember. “Not close, I don’t think. Just the two men.”

“It’s very possible no one saw that, then,” he reasons.

“What about the university’s security?” Tommaso asks.

“Gabe and I checked into that,” Andro says. “The only thing their security teams responded to was a frat house where some students were freaking out after snorting copious amounts of cocaine. No calls were made to the police, either.”

Vito stretches his arms and cracks his back. “If I got you some pictures, could you identify the men chasing you, Triple S?”

I swallow against the lump in my throat. “I really only got a good look at the one. I recognized him from when I met my father after my mom died.”

“You said you thought maybe Ortez had designs to offer you to one of Garcia’s lieutenants?”

My skin starts to crawl, and I swallow hard again. “Yes.”

Vito leans his elbows on the table and glances at Creed, who has pulled me tight into his side under his arm. “I’m sorry if I’m upsetting you, Triple S. That’s not my intent.” He continues when I nod, “I have a contact in the Garcia Cartel, and if we know who we’re dealing with, that might help us identify your father and Morales’s end goal.”

I look around the table again at this group of ‘made men,’mobsters. They’re dangerous, I know that. And I don’t think they’ll give my father, Morales, or anyone else involved a stern talking to and tell them to leave me alone. No, that’s not how these men operate.

I glance at Gina, who looks worried but smiles reassuringly. Looking at Creed, his jaw is clenched; he hates that this part of his world is touching me.

But I’d be on my own without Creed or his family, their support and resources.

I can’t fool myself; Geraldo Ortez, myfather, is coming for me, even if I don’t know the reason yet. Maybe it’s because of my connection to Creed, or maybe not. The whispered warnings in my head are telling me it isn’t because of Creed, or at least, not only because of him.

That doesn’t matter, though, not really. Because, regardless of the why or what the purpose is, the fact remains that I’m in danger. And if I’m in danger, those I care about could be used as pawns to get to me.

Creed is stiff with tension beside me, but he isn’t trying to convince me how to cooperate with this and their efforts. Working with his family will help protect me, but I’ll be accepting help from criminals and using their criminal resources and connections.

“Sophie.” Massimo pauses until I look at him. “I have a relationship with some federal authorities.” He smiles lightly at my shock. “I can notify them that we have firm intel that Geraldo Ortez is in the area. However, there are processes they have to go through before they can act, which means delays.”

Massimo would do that? Call in another favor for me and use another criminal bargaining chip to help me?

“We’re going to do everything andanythingto protect you, angel,” Creed finally weighs in.

My eyes dart to his. Creed will step back onto this side of the line of the world he’s steered clear of for me.

Closing my eyes, I inhale deeply before slowly releasing it. Looking at Creed but speaking to the group, I say, “I’ll look at the pictures, Vito. And yes, Massimo, please also let your contacts know my father is in the States.”

Creed drags his thumb down my chin, promising me without words that he’ll keep me safe however he needs to.

Anxiety and dread birth in me. Creed has made a conscious decision not to play an active part in the criminal parts of hisfamily’s world. And now, he’s willing to jump in with both feet to save me.

I know he is doing it because he loves me, and I love him all the more for it. I can only pray that it doesn’t destroy the foundation of our future.

Like many other times, he can read my mind and see into my soul. He cups my cheek and leans his forehead against mine. “Do you trust me, angel?”

Staring into his piercing blue eyes, I give the only answer I can, “Always.”

Chapter 30

Ollie

Antonio and his partnerMiguel caught the first flight from New York after I called them. They’re here now; it’s the middle of the night, but we’re all wide awake.

Antonio tosses his Armani pinstriped suit jacket onto Sophie’s bed and loosens his tie. His brown eyes are chocolate-colored, while Sophie’s have streaks of bright copper through hers, but I can see the family resemblance.

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