“Why not? It’s the truth. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you—something true, something real.” Lies and deceit were all I could give her. I couldn’t face myself if I spent every day of our lives lying to her face.

“Reality isn’t always pretty.”

Didn’t I know it. I was surprised at the bite in her words and wondered at what all I’d missed in her life through the years. The thought of someone hurting her made my fists clench with rage. “I’m well aware of just how ugly this world can be. That’s exactly why I left.”

“Is that your deluded way of saying you were trying to protect me?” she shot back, eyes sparking with anger.

“It’s not deluded. I was protecting you. I’m not a good man. You deserve far better than I could have given you.” My emotions began to get the better of me. I ran my hand through my hair, attempting to calm the spike in my temper.

“That wasn’t your call to make.” Her finger jabbed against my chest as she spat her words. “Did I ever once give you the impression my love had conditions? Don’t you think I know that nobody is perfect? You may not have seen your own light, but to me, you were as bright as the summer sun. When you left me, I drowned in the darkness.”

“I had nothing to offer you—” Before I could finish, she cut me off.

“Your love was all I ever wanted,” she hissed, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.

We both quieted, our heaving breaths the only sound penetrating the white noise in my brain. Her words had disoriented me. Made me question everything I thought I had known … everything I’d felt so certain about.

Fuck!

I’d run these same traps before—questioned myself and debated my doubts—and I wasn’t going to fall onto that landmine all over again. Not allowing myself time to reconsider, I lowered my shoulder to plant in Sofia’s belly and lifted her into the air.

“What the hell are you doing? Nico! Put me down!” She slapped her hands against my back, and I held her flailing legs close to my chest, keeping them secured in place.

I quickly took one hand and placed a resounding slap on her ass cheek. “Stop all that noise before you wake the neighbors.” I turned to exit the porch and caught sight of Enzo eyeing us from inside. I held his steely gaze for a long second, wondering if I’d just gotten myself in a shit ton of trouble, but the older man simply turned back toward his wife.

Sofia’s shock at me swatting her ass had quieted her during my exchange with Enzo, but the moment I took a step toward the stairs, she resumed her protest. “God help me, if you don’t put me down, I’ll scream so loud I’ll wake more than just the neighbors.”

“Anyone ever told you, you’re cute when you’re pissed?” I asked, smirking as I continued to carry her around the side of the house.