CHAPTER FORTY

T hree days later, Lance was leaning his head against Sofia’s headboard while her head lay on his stomach. She was idly running her fingers across his abs while he brushed through her hair.

Yet another Netflix episode of a show neither of them were watching played on the screen mounted on her bedroom wall. Yes, Netflix, we are still fucking watching what-the-fuck ever. He’d push that damn continue button as many times as Sofia needed. And he’d order another dozen Uber Eats meals if that was what she wanted, even if she didn’t eat those either.

But whatever.

Although she had taken a few mouthfuls of the mac ’n’ cheese Brianna had delivered (not) stealthily into the kitchen a few hours ago. She had teleported in and tiptoed across the floor as Craig muttered quieter! from the doorway. Bri had responded I ammmm and then dropped the meal off without another word.

Despite the situation, Sofia had glanced at him and smirked.

Lance had received an Incoming message from Craig a minute before, so hadn’t been concerned when he’d heard them enter. He was privately grateful for the new vampire’s care of his mate. When Sofia had smelled the meal, she’d smiled further—the first proper smile he’d seen in days—and climbed up to investigate her delivery.

There had been little conversation. He had somehow known she just needed his strength and presence.

Fortunately, everyone was leaving them alone. He had received one text from Craig saying if they needed anything, to yell.

He hadn’t responded.

He needed answers, but they weren’t going to get them right now. Once he had spoken to his mate and they’d decided together what they wanted, then he would ask.

Simmering beneath the surface of his concern for Sofia was his powerful need to rip Stefano’s head off. Knowing he was, right now, in the Moretti prison, accessible with just his thumbprint, made it very difficult not to act.

He could be in and out within minutes.

Seconds.

Although hanging around to take a selfie might take longer.

He’d put money on Craig and Brayden having foreseen this and doubled the guards in the prison. Which was pretty ironic, keeping the fucker alive. Or the king may have already ordered Stefano’s head be removed, and it was now on display at the castle gates on the end of a pole.

Not that they did that kind of thing.

But hey, nothing to stop them from starting a new trend.

Fury aside, Lance just wanted to know Stefano Russo was no longer breathing.

He let out a long sigh, and Sofia twisted to look up at him.

“Are you alright?”

“That’s my question,” he said, running his thumb over her cheekbone.

She gave him a small smile. “I’ll be okay.”

“Nope. Don’t do that,” he told her, his voice dry. “Don’t pretend with me.”

Her eyes pressed closed, and tears rolled out. Pulling her up, he wrapped his arms around her and let her cry some more.

“Thank you,” she sobbed into his neck.

Early evening, when they woke up, Sofia left the bed and showered. He didn’t follow her, just let her go about her process of getting dressed, sensing she needed some space. Lance had his own shower and found her sitting out on the balcony looking over the city, her long dark hair, still wet, dripping down onto her jeans.

“Can they trace your number?” she asked. “My parents?”

“No,” Lance answered, shaking his head. “Our phones are encrypted.”

Sofia nodded.

Lance sat down on the wicker sofa and put his arm along the back. She handed him one of the two glasses of plasma in front of them. He smiled at her in thanks, taking a long drink as he rubbed his thumb along the silky skin of her shoulder.

“So what happens now?” she asked.

“What do you want to happen?” When all she did was blink, he added, “Nothing. Unless you want it to. Until you decide, I’m staying right here with you.”

She frowned at him. “You need to go back to work.”

“No. I don’t.”

“Lance,” she said, shaking her head.

“Stop, Sofia. I’m where I want to be. Where I need to be. Nothing else matters.”

She turned her face away and looked out at the lights, pressing her lips together. He saw the determined set of her jaw. “That’s not entirely true. They’re your family. Your career is your life. It’s who you are.”

Lance put his glass down and turned her around to face him. He cupped her cheek. “No,” he said. “That’s where you’re wrong. You are my life, Sofia. You are my mate. I’ll walk away from all of them, from everything, and start a new life if it’s what we need to do. Or what you want. My choice will always be you.”

“I don’t know what I want,” Sofia murmured quietly, and tears began to slowly fall down her face. She gently shook her head and glanced down before her eyes returned to his. “But I don’t want you to give up your life.”

He lifted one shoulder. “That decision may not be ours to make. We have to accept that.”

Sofia let out a long sigh.

“Then I need to walk away. I can’t ask you to leave your family. They love you. You love them. I’ve watched you all together; you are happy and thriving,” she cried, trying to push his hands away from her face.

Lance gripped her face harder.

“Bullshit,” he growled quietly. “Look at me. If you left me, I would not survive. You are my life. You know how mates work.”

She glared at him, her eyes wet with tears. “But—”

“No buts. We are mates. That is final,” he said, leaving no room for further argument. “I will wait as long as you need and help you through this, but you will not leave me.”

As Sofia fell against his chest, Lance knew he meant every damn word.

Whatever she needed, and however long it took for her to decide, he would wait. He knew Sofia was a strong female; he’d seen her survive much already. With his love, and hopefully the support of others in his life, he believed she could once again be whole again.

“I will not let him destroy me,” she declared, sitting up and wiping her eyes. “Or us.”

A small, proud smile hit his lips.

“That’s my girl.”

THE NEXT EVENING, SOFIA wanted to leave the apartment.

After a stroll around the city, they settled into a restaurant, ordered a meal, and shared a bottle of wine. The evening was warm, the ambience happy and relaxed, the candlelight sensual despite the crowd.

“I’d be more relaxed if you stopped treating me like a crystal glass,” Sofia said with a small smile.

Lance leaned back in his seat, let out a long breath, and nodded.

“I’m going to be okay, Lance.”

“Shit, Sofia. You shouldn’t be reassuring me. I’m trying to look after you.” He ran a hand through his hair.

She leaned her elbows on the table and gazed at him with love in her eyes. Damn, he wanted to just lean across the table and kiss her. But that was the thing—he was treating her with kid gloves, trying not to make any sudden moves or be too rough with her.

God, it was killing him.

Not because he wanted to throw her against every surface and fuck her, although he did, but because he was a warrior. A powerful soldier who wasn’t used to tiptoeing around a delicate...anything.

“I’m not going to break,” she said.

You might.

Lance knew his thoughts were illogical, but he simply nodded.

“My healing is going to take time, and I’ll do it my own way, with your love and protection. But please, Lance, you need to stop watching every single move I make. We’ll both go crazy.”

“Mm-hmm, sure, I...yup. Okay.”

Nope.

Her head tipped to the side, and she reached out to take his hand. “I’m serious.”

More of the tension left his body, and he squeezed her hand in his. Lance held her beautiful gaze as his heart clenched. Nobody was going to hurt her again. Not on his watch, and it would definitely be over his dead body if it happened.

He needed to get out of here.

“Let me take you home, baby. It’s going to take me some time to let go. You are mine to protect, and I will not apologize for doing it.” He threw cash on the table as he stood and held out his hand.

“I don’t not like it,” Sofia replied, smiling up at him as she placed her palm on his stomach while he tucked her under his arm.

Lance planted a chaste but assertive kiss on her lips, and they walked back to the apartment. Just as they were coming up in the elevator, Lance heard his phone beep.

Okay if Bri and I port in?

Craig asking was a sign of respect Lance appreciated. Craig’s sense of justice was equal to his own. The commander may not know Sofia well, or care much for her, but she was a female of their race, and he’d seen firsthand what she had experienced at the hands of their greatest enemy. Not that it meant Sofia would be welcomed into the Moretti fold; it wasn’t Craig’s decision. Or Brayden’s. But they would both have a strong influence on the king.

Not that it mattered; not really. Lance would always choose Sofia. He knew it, and they knew it.

Lance knew he was a valued member of the Moretti royal army—hell, he’d been a member for four hundred damn years!—but the rebellion had caused great harm to their race in recent years, and Sofia had played a part in that. No one could turn a blind eye to that.

Whether she could be truly pardoned and if the king now trusted her allegiance was the question.

Serving the king and fighting with all his males had bonded them in a way he’d never experienced, even with his own family. It was in his blood to be loyal to the Morettis. Heck, even when Willow had been crowned princess, he’d felt the need to protect her. Sofia was right; they were his family. The royals, Craig, Brianna, his fellow SLCs and many of their wider team.

The loss would be huge if they decided to leave. But losing Sofia would be greater.

She herself had also lost her family, career, and soon, her home. It wasn’t safe in her apartment long-term; they would need to relocate very soon. Stefano may be in the Moretti prison, but his reach was wide. There was no way of knowing what instructions he had prepared or could give even today.

They knew they had a spy within their walls; they just didn’t know who the fuck it was.

Craig’s message meant one thing. The king was ready to see them.

He sighed. The elevator pinged and the doors opened.

We’re walking in now. See you in two.

Lance stilled Sofia’s hand as she began to insert her key. “Craig and Brianna are on their way.”

Sofia nodded and bit her lip.

“We’re a team. You and me forever, okay?” he said, placing his hand on the small of her back and following her inside.