His Tesoro: An Arranged Marriage Age Gap Mafia Romance (Empire of Royals Book 1)
His Tesoro: Chapter 36

“Please come.”

The words were like a dagger to my heart. Hearing the panic in Sofiya’s voice made sweat prickle on my brow.

“Get to the bakery,” I barked at Romeo, who was driving. We’d just gotten back to the city and were only minutes away from the apartment. Romeo sped up and made a turn, heading to the bakery a few blocks away. Angelo had cleared the trip with me this morning, and I said yes because I knew it would make Sofiya happy. And now she was in danger.

“What’s happening?” I asked through gritted teeth.

“The shooting stopped,” she whispered.

There was a rustling sound and then Angelo was on the phone. “Three men shot at us. I killed two, the third got away. Police are on their way.”

We turned onto the block where the bakery was. People were huddled behind cars and the street was uncharacteristically empty for midday Manhattan. Police sirens sounded in the distance, and I cursed. I jumped out of the car before Romeo could bring it to a full stop and ran towards the black SUV I recognized as one of mine.

I rounded the car and my heart almost stopped when I saw Sofiya sprawled on the sidewalk, her arms wrapped around the dog. Angelo was beside her, helping her sit up. A sharp burst of relief and gratitude hit me—he was uninjured and had protected my wife.

I knelt on the ground, supporting Sofiya’s back. “Fuck, tesoro mio. Are you hurt?” I couldn’t remember the last time I’d sounded so panicked, but as she looked up at me with tears streaking down her cheeks, I couldn’t keep my mask in place.

“Boss, we need to go,” Romeo said, coming up behind me. “I’ll smooth things over with the cops, but it will be easier if you’re not here.”

We had most of the force in our pocket, but a daytime shooting was still a disaster to cover up.

Sofiya was doing something with her knee, a grimace on her face.

“Are you hurt?” I repeated. “Can you move?”

“I’m okay,” she said. “Just had to pop my knee back in.”

I blinked, staring down at her jeans-covered knee. When she released it, I gently gathered her in my arms and Romeo opened the back door of the car for us. Angelo got in the driver’s seat to take us home while Romeo stayed behind to talk with the cops. We passed the first police vehicle as we turned onto the main road.

“Who was shooting at us?” Sofiya asked, her voice small. I kept my touch as gentle as I could as I held her close to my chest. I pressed my face to her hair, breathing in her scent.

I could have lost her.

“Albanians,” I spit out, hating how harsh my voice sounded. Arben had played me like a fool. He’d known I would go upstate, leaving my wife exposed. But how had he known where she would be?

Her eyes were wide. “Why would they do that?”

“I don’t know, tesoro.” I brushed the hair out of her face. “I’ll replace out and they’ll pay.” I didn’t want her to be scared, but it was obvious that the Albanians were targeting her to get to me. This is what I’d always feared when considering marriage. Being too exposed, too vulnerable.

I’d done my best to create distance between us these past few weeks, but now I couldn’t bear the thought of being apart from her. I thought keeping my distance would protect myself from vulnerability, but maybe it had just caused more problems for both of us. Sofiya reached out a tentative hand, and my eyes fell closed as she brushed it along my jaw.

“Noodle was such a good boy,” she said, shifting in my lap so she could pet the dog. “Were you scared, malysh? You were so brave.”

Something hot burned in my chest, and it was definitely not jealousy at whatever pet name she just called the dog.

“He looks fine,” I said dryly. Noodle’s tongue was lolling out of his mouth as he leaned his head into Sofiya’s hand.

We pulled into the apartment’s underground garage and Sofiya stiffened. “Wait, did someone get my wheelchair?”

I met Angelo’s eyes in the rearview mirror, and he shook his head. “Make sure Romeo gets it,” I commanded, and he nodded.

“I’ll carry you inside.” I wasn’t sure I’d be able to let her go even if we did have her chair.

I waited to see if she would protest, but she relaxed into my hold. The feel of her head resting on my chest settled something inside me.

“Angelo,” Sofiya said, reaching out her hand to the guard as we got out of the car. “Thank you for protecting me.” Her voice cracked and she blinked quickly as she took his hand.

The fact that he had saved my wife’s life today was the only thing keeping me from chopping off his fucking hand. I wanted to be the only one she touched.

“Of course, bella,” he responded.

I just grunted and moved towards the elevator with Sofiya in my arms.

“Call the doctor,” I barked out.

“I don’t need a doctor,” Sofiya protested.

“Don’t argue,” I said, giving her a stern look. “You won’t win this one.”

“I’m glad you know I’ll win most of our arguments,” she said primly.

Fuck. I almost felt tempted to smile as the elevator ascended to our apartment.