Page 106 of Scorned Obsession

“There’s no such agreement,” I gritted. “We’re leaving.”

But when I spun around with her, it was to see we were surrounded by De Lucci crew. Trevor being one of them and there was a challenge on his face, daring me to make another move.

Sticks was with me. Gian and the Rossi soldiers were around the perimeter but there was no way I was going to start a gunfight in broad daylight because I hadn’t given clear instructions to Gian and he might find the perfect opportunity to eliminate me and Tommy.

No way was I risking my wife in the line of fire.

“It’s just for a night,” Bianca whispered.

“Sandro,” a female voice said behind us.

We turned around. It was Ava. It was obvious she wanted to come forward, but Cesar had his arms around her the same way I had mine around Bianca.

“Just for tonight,son,” she said.

Son.

Ava accepted me. For the first time since I found out my wife escaped the house, a semblance of calm placated my aggression. I loosened my hold around Bianca. She didn’t abandon me. She stood up for me. There was no reason not to trust she would return to me.

Sensing that I was about to relent, Ava freed herself from Cesar—albeit, he grudgingly let go—and moved in front of us. She touched my jaw. “Welcome to the family, Sandro.”

“Mom.” Bianca hiccuped a sob. Her emotions came through in a body shudder that cracked through my resolve to bring her home with me.

“Can I get a hug?” Ava asked.

Dammit. That resolve crumbled. I released Bianca and gave Ava a tight squeeze. I breathed in her ear, “Thank you.” I was reduced back to the boy who had wished Ava was his mother.And now she really was. I wasn’t fucking this up. Bianca was worth it to put up with the insufferable men in her family.

“I would invite you over for our impromptu gathering tonight,” Ava continued. “But I fear you’ve got your hands full.” She nodded to Tommy.

If I stayed over at the De Lucci camp right now, the upheaval in the Rossis would be catastrophic. Especially after what happened with Raffa. All the progress I’d achieve in getting rid of the toxic assets would be for nothing. My brain processed the next moves. Given what happened with Tommy and Bianca’s escape, I needed the De Luccis to protect my wife while I got my house in order.

“Are you going to be okay?” Bianca asked. “Tommy and Dom assured me you would be.”

“Everything will be fine.” If I couldn’t lead the Rossi crime family without putting Bianca first, then I didn’t want the position as boss.

My thumb brushed over her naked ring finger. “But we’ll have words about you not wearing your rings.”

She grinned sheepishly. “I helped Sloane clean the rug and didn’t want to ruin them.”

I tamped down the feral possessiveness rampaging inside me. But Ava extended an olive branch. It would give me great pleasure to show her I was more evolved than her sons and husband.

“Tommy, Divina, and Sloane are allowed to leave,” I told Dom.

“No one is stopping them,” he replied.

I glanced at Cesar. “I’m coming for Bianca tomorrow. I’m gonna find a place in Manhattan so she will be more accessible to all of you?—”

Bianca tugged my arm and I gave her a questioning look.

“Don’t do any house hunting without me.”

I controlled the grin that wanted to form. Her statement filled me with an anticipation I had no business feeling. It was hope. So much fucking hope that despite our uncertain road ahead, a future with her was possible. “Sure, Sunlight, whatever you say.”

“This is weird as fuck,” Nico interjected and I could commiserate with what he was feeling. Being with Bianca as her husband and around the De Luccis seemed like an alternate universe. I was determined to make it a reality.

“Hey, stop that,” Bianca retorted. “Or I’m leaving with Sandro.”

The De Lucci men clenched their jaws, and it was hilarious as fuck how identical they looked to each other when they glowered at me.

---