Page 122 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

But it’s there.

And whoever’s behind this isn’t going to stop.

Later, Sophie insists on doubling the security around the apartment.

She doesn’t ask. She doesn’t negotiate.

She just tells me.

And for once, I don’t push back.

She makes the calls to James to set it up. Cameras. Extra patrols. Reinforced locks.

But even with all the precautions, the space between us feels bigger than ever.

She doesn’t ask me to stay in her bed.

I don’t try to force my way into it.

Instead, I crash on the couch, staring up at the cracked ceiling while the city hums far below.

I lie there, wide awake, thinking of every choice that brought us to this moment.

Every time, I thought protecting her meant keeping her in the dark.

Every chance I had to be better…and chose fear instead.

And somewhere in the pit of my stomach, I know the real battle hasn’t even begun yet.

My phone buzzes against the coffee table.

A new message.

Dad:We need to talk. Now.

I sit up straight, heart hammering against my ribs.

Before I can overthink it, I call him.

He picks up on the first ring.

"Alessio," he says, voice low but not harsh.

"What's going on?"

"I heard about the threats. James filled me in."

I lean forward, elbows on my knees.

Sophie must've told James about the new security, and James must've told Dad.

"I'm handling it."

"You're not handling it alone anymore. You need to come home. Back to Tuscany."

I open my mouth, but he cuts me off.

"This isn’t negotiable. You’re useless to Sophie if you’re dead. Besides, you coming home doesn’t mean giving up. It means making sure you live long enough to have something real. You’ve already built a life worth protecting. Don’t be stupid enough to lose it now."

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