HOLDEN
Iknow I need to tell the guys what happened when I wake up. Not because they’ll be mad at Sophie, not because we need to close rank, but because I can’t keep anything from them. That agreement has been in place since we were overseas.
Plus, they’ll notice her knees, and none of them will believe for a second that it’s unrelated if I show up with marks on my fists. Sophie stretches a little and makes a soft sound in her throat. I rub her hip and kiss the back of her shoulder.
“I have to tell the guys,” I whisper.
She grumbles something, then gets up and stumbles a little. “Fine. But I don’t like it.”
“I don’t expect you to, but I have to.” I insist.
She pulls a blanket around her shoulders. I press a kiss to her temple, recheck her knees, kiss both of them, and head to my own room to get ready for the day. I still can’t believe she broke our rule at night in a foreign country! The worst combination.
After getting through a shower and brushing my teeth, I report for breakfast. Roman and Nick are already there, and I see Gunner dragging himself from his bed. He sits with us, and I open my mouth, but Massimo comes over.
He pulls out a chair and smiles. “So, yesterday was fun, right? I aim to impress.”
“It was great,” Nick says. “I’ve never been to so many vineyards.”
“Especially with the nearly unlimited samples.” Gunner raises a glass of water. “I think I might still be drunk.”
Massimo chuckles and shakes his head while having some kind of fruit juice. “I think only Danny escaped without being tipsy.”
Escape. I glance at Roman. He’s been quiet. His eyes are on my knuckles. “Interesting night, Holden?”
“What the hell did you get into?” Gunner huffs. “Did you find Italy’s fight club? Don’t say anything; just tap twice if the answer is yes.”
I rub my jaw. “Sophia went to the market last night. Alone.” It comes out a growl.
Silence greets me. Silence and frustration. Nick drums his fingers on the table, Gunner glowers at his fork, and Roman arches an eyebrow. I expect one of them to speak, but Massimo looks over at me.
“Meaning what? She’s allowed to wander, isn’t she? This is the safest area – even safer than tourist traps!” Massimo looks at me and arches an eyebrow. “But I’m guessing that’s not the case given that face.”
“What. Happened?” Roman demands.
I glance up to where she’ll eventually be joining us and clear my throat. “He didn’t want her money. I noticed she was alone from my window, and I got there before worse could happen, but we’ve met this type before. I took care of it.”
“Took care of Sophie or neutralized the threat?” Gunner asks, no malice, all business. As if we never left the other side.
“Sophia was the priority. She remains the priority.” I report. “Not to say the target got off without injury.”
Massimo hits the table hard. “Who would fuck around with my family, my friends, my guests like this?! This is supposed to be a safe neighborhood with good people.” He shakes his head. “I need to take care of some things.”
“Mass, go easy.” Roman orders.
“I will. Grandma won’t.”
He runs off, and Roman folds his hands on the table. “Sophia?”
“Safe. Upstairs last I saw her. Shaky when we got back, but she fought.” I take a long drink of water.
“And you got there before ….” Nick trails off and shakes his head. “We walked around New York at night, and this wasn’t an issue.”
“Her knees and arms are injured. Nothing else.” I take another drink.
Gunner sighs. “Well. I’m still up for murder; you get a good description? Wait, is it even murder if it’s a public service because this definitely sounds like much more of a problem being solved than something bad happening.”
Before I can explain exactly how much Sophia doesn’t want us to do something about this, before I can explain that she didn’t even want me to tell them, Nick shakes his head. “Take it off the table, Gunner.”
He huffs, but I can see the lingering anger. Roman clears his throat. “Let’s figure out a plan of action before she joins us. We can’t just tail her, but we need to protect her.”
“She didn’t want to say anything about this.”
“Why? It happened. She’s a victim here.” Nick pushes. “She’s not to blame.”
I scratch the back of my neck. Am I the only one that’s hurt by the lack of trust invested in us? Or is that being over the top when it comes to her? Like I should know better than to think she would just believe us, take us at our word.
“Sophie!” Gunner greets.
Before she can sit, he pulls her onto his lap and whispers something in her ear. She pales, and her eyes meet mine. “I’m fine. It wasn’t a big deal. Holden got there and took care of it.”
“Soph, you can talk to us,” Nick says, taking her hand. “About wanting to go places, about needing things. No matter what it is. We’re more than happy to keep you safe, to make sure you’re happy and never have to worry about this kind of thing again.”