Page 129 of Creed

“Tell me, Soph. Please.”

My bottom lip trembles, and I bite it. “For time’s sake, I won’t go into the play-by-play, but I think he planned to give me to one of the cartel lieutenants to gain favor with him. I left quickly; I was so frightened before I came to San Diego for university that he would come for me, but he never did.”

Antonio listens raptly but becomes rigid when I tell him everything that has happened, including how Bane picked me up, my father pulled a gun, how the MC got me to Creed, and everything we know, including Manuel Morales.

Antonio’s anger has dissipated, but his fear and worry for me have increased. He glances behind me, and I look over my shoulder, seeing Creed standing close—feet apart, arms loose and ready at his sides—as if ready to protect me. Creed wears dark jeans and a dark shirt instead of one of his impeccable suits, his tattoos are on full display. My core clenches at the sight of him, but I see him as Antonio likely sees him: dark, dangerous, and from a mafia family.

“Sophie,” Antonio calls my attention back. He flicks a warning glance at Creed. “You’re in harm’s way because of Creed—”

“Did you not listen to anything I said,Tio?” I grip his hands. “My father was coming for me with the lieutenant he ‘wanted me to meet’ in the past from before I even moved to the States—that part has nothing to do with Creed. I was always going to be at risk because ofmy father, not because I’m with Creed or that these are his enemies.”

“But Manuel Morales is Creed’s enemy,” he argues.

“Yes, who also has ties to my father.”

“This all circles back to the criminal world, Sophie. Your father… The cartel… Yourmamaworked her entire life to keep you away from him and that life.AbueloandAbuelaalso worked to protect you.Ihave worked to keep you from being touched by that life. Now you’re trying to tell me you’rechoosinga man who is a criminal over your own family?”

I pull my hands away from Antonio's. “Creed is not a criminal.” I ignore his grunt of disbelief. “His work is all legitimate and legal.”

“Antonio,” Severyn murmurs, leaning close to him. “We know this about Creed.”

“Funded with blood money,” Antonio spits, unwilling to let it go.

“It’s not,” I defend.

His jaw shifts, and his eyes harden. “Even if that’s true, his family is—”

“His family,” I finally give in to my anger, “took me in and protected me while we tried to figure this out. They didn’t have to do that. I brought risk right to their doorstep.”

“And why would they be so benevolent, Soph? They’re criminals.”

“Yes, they are,” Creed rumbles, finally breaking his silence and running his fingers through my hair. “And my family helped because of one simple reason: Sophie. Is. Mine.”

Antonio shoots to his feet, as does Miguel, who speaks quietly to Antonio.

This is what I’ve been dreading. The moment where I actually have to choose between my family and Creed.

But I make the choice without hesitation.

I take Creed’s hand and intertwine my fingers with his, then kiss his tattooed knuckles. “And Creed is mine, Antonio. And if I have to, I will choose him over any family members who cannot accept my choice.”

Antonio looks like I’ve stabbed him in the heart. My own heart is breaking, but I’m not backing down from this.

Creed gestures for Antonio to sit, then he sits on the arm of the sofa beside me. “Sophie’s safety is what matters right now; the rest can wait. I will do everything needed to keep her safe, as will my family.”

“Give her to us, and we’ll keep her safe,” Antonio says to Creed.

“No,” I say firmly.

“Firefly, we have resources. Tag and his team—”

“We work together,” Creed says. “That was the deal for us coming here.”

“Antonio.” Severyn leans forward and rests her hand on his forearm. “Working together best protects Sophie; we’ve all agreed to this.” Antonio looks between her and me, his mouth pressed into a thin line.

I’ve seen that look before. His stubbornness wants him to dig his heels in and fight this on principle.

“Antonio…Tio,” I pause. “They came to my dorm… They hurt Ollie.” My voice cracks. “They need to be stopped.”

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